2026 NRL draw: Every game from every regular season round
Penrith’s premiership streak came to a shuddering halt in 2025 but the NRL draw may have killed the dynasty off altogether. See every club’s regular season home and away schedule and bye rounds.
Penrith’s premiership streak came to a shuddering halt at the hands of Brisbane last season but the NRL draw may have killed the dynasty off altogether.
The Panthers have drawn the short straw in the official release of the 2026 NRL season draw, playing almost every team from last season’s top eight on two occasions.
In addition, Ivan Cleary’s team have drawn last season’s bottom four sides just once.
In a true test of their fortitude, Penrith also have a stretch of seven weeks with only one game at their temporary home ground - Commbank Stadium.
It is daunting, onerous, and unnerving.
ANALYSIS | NRL draw club-by-club breakdown: Your club’s 2026 schedule analysed
The Panthers have overcome almost every obstacle that has been put in front of them over the past five years but the release of the AI formulated NRL draw on Friday morning shapes as the last roadblock on their path to premiership success.
While the Panthers face a challenging season, Cronulla, Manly, Dragons and the Warriors have walked away from the draw with broad smiles on their faces.
The Sharks play most of the competition heavyweights just once in the regular season.
They avoid a trip to Melbourne to play the Storm at AAMI Park, where their season was brought to an end in the preliminary final.
If there is a hurdle for them to overcome, it is that they will have had their three byes by round 17, meaning they face a taxing end to the season without a break.
Manly coach Anthony Seibold would also be delighted with his draw, playing four top-eight sides from last season in the opening 12-rounds.
They also have three of their opening four rounds at Four Pines Park or better known as Fortress Brookvale.
The Dragons have also scored in the draw, playing premiership heavyweights the Broncos, Storm, Panthers, Roosters and Raiders just once. And how about this? Saints don’t leave Sydney again after round 19, including four of the last seven games at home.
Cameron Ciraldo’s Bulldogs haven’t been treated as kindly, scheduled eight gruelling games against 2025 leaders the Broncos, Storm, Broncos, Panthers and Raiders.
The Eels, who made strides under Jason Ryles last season, have a tough start to the year as they open with games against last season’s grand finalists Melbourne and Brisbane - both away from home.
The Wests Tigers love to play an attacking brand of footy and they will get that chance with 15 of 24-games scheduled during daytime hours, including five of their last six games of the season.
Yet it’s the Panthers that all eyes will be on after they were required to climb from the bottom of the ladder at the midpoint of last season.
They open the 2026 season against the Broncos on Friday night at Suncorp Stadium, the scene of their demise last season. Redemption will be at the forefront of their mind no doubt.
They then head to Bathurst to play the Sharks and Allianz Stadium to play the Sydney Roosters. They won’t be home at Commbank Stadium until round four, when they pay their western Sydney rivals Parramatta.
Originally published as 2026 NRL draw: Every game from every regular season round
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