NRL 2025: what you need to know

LeagueUnlimited Media | November 21 2024 6:30AM

As news comes to hand across the off-season we'll bring you updates and news on the 2025 NRL season, in the lead up to the anticipated release of the draw on Thursday 21 November.

2025 season - need to know:

Interactive 2025 NRL Draw

Interactive 2025 NRLW Draw

Interactive 2025 NRL Pre-Season Challenge draw

Looking for 2025 NRL Player Movement, ins & outs? Click here.

As they're released, we're showing you all the 2025 NRL Jerseys right here.

Interactive 2025 Super League Fixtures

Thu 21 Nov

Today's the day

The draw has dropped!

We've set up an article over here with the NRL, NRLW and Pre-Season fixtures. Enjoy!

All Stars in Sydney!

The NRL has confirmed the February 15 double header between Australian Indigienous and Aotearoa NZ Maori will be played at Commbank Stadium, Parramatta.

More Super League drops

Round 1's dates, the fixtures for Round 2, and Round 8 - Easter weekend and Rivals Round - have been announced on Wednesday evening UK time.

All times are UK local.

Round 1 fixtures:

Wigan v Leigh (Thursday 13 February, K.O. 8pm)
Hull KR v Castleford (Friday 14 February, K.O. 8pm)
Catalans v Hull FC (Friday 14 February, K.O. 8pm)
Leeds v Wakefield (Saturday 15 February, K.O. 3pm)
St Helens v Salford (Saturday 15 February, K.O. 5.30pm)
Huddersfield v Warrington (Sunday 16 February, K.O. 3pm)

Round 2 fixtures:

Wakefield v Hull KR (Thursday 20 February, K.O. 8pm)
Warrington v Catalans (Friday 21 February, K.O. 8pm)
Hull FC v Wigan (Friday 21 February, K.O. 8pm)
Salford v Leeds (Saturday 22 February, K.O. 3pm)
Castleford v St Helens (Saturday 22 February, K.O. 8pm)
Leigh v Huddersfield (Sunday 23 February, K.O. 2.30pm)

Rivals Round (Round 8):

Wakefield v Castleford (Thursday 17 April, K.O. 8pm)
Hull FC v Hull KR (Friday 18 April, K.O. 12:30pm)
Wigan v St Helens (Friday 18 April, K.O. 3pm)
Leeds v Huddersfield (Friday 18 April, K.O. 5:30pm)
Leigh v Warrington (Saturday 19 April, K.O. 1:30pm)
Catalans v Salford (Saturday 19 April, K.O. 6pm)

The full Super League fixtures are due at 8am GMT (London time) which is 7pm AEDT (Sydney/Melbourne/Canberra).

Wed 20 Nov

NRL Magic Round schedule announced

This morning's official draw drop is the full eight-game schedule for Round 9 - Magic Round - at Sunorp Stadium:

Friday May 2
Sharks v Eels (Fox) - 6.00pm
Roosters v Dolphins (Nine/Fox) - 8.00pm
Saturday May 3
Rabbitohs v Knights (Fox) - 3.00pm
Warriors v Cowboys (Fox) - 5.30pm
Wests Tigers v Dragons (Nine/Fox) - 7.45pm
Sunday May 4
Titans v Bulldogs (Fox) - 1.45pm
Panthers v Broncos (Nine/Fox) - 4.05pm
Storm v Raiders (Fox) - 6.25pm
BYE: Manly

The schedule marks the first time Brisbane haven't featured in the round's opening night. AAP reported that Manly requested the bye after several years of hosting a home game against the Broncos as part of the event.

Super League opening round matches

Examiner papers in the UK reports that Round 1 of the Super League will look like this - with days and times still to be revealed. Wigan-Leigh is likely the Thursday night opener on 13 February.

Wigan Warriors v Leigh Leopards
Catalans Dragons v Hull FC
St Helens v Salford Red Devils
Huddersfield Giants v Warrington Wolves
Leeds Rhinos v Wakefield Trinity
Hull KR v Castleford Tigers

Broncos opening run revealed

Channel 9 Brisbane's 6pm news broadcast revealed a handful of games for the Broncos' fixture for 2025.

After their Roosters clash at Allianz in Round 1, Brisbane will remain on the road to face Canberra at GIO Stadium in Round 2, before returning home for back-to-back derbies - Round 3 v Cowboys then Round 4 v Dolphins. The return clash with the Phins is set for Round 24, while the two SEQ derbies with the Titans are in the Origin period - Rounds 14 and 19.

Tue 19 Nov

NRLW Magic Round announcement

Today's early drop from the NRL was confirmation the NRLW will have its first Magic Round, with the two-day, six-game event to be held at McDonald Jones Stadium next year. No confirmation yet as to when, or which teams involved.

Three NRL games in Perth

Elsewhere in the media, WA Today reports that Perth is expected to host THREE NRL games in 2025 aside from the second State of Origin match. A double header and a stand-alone match are in prospect.

Mon 18 Nov

Origin schedule locked in, Magic Round dates quietly confirmed

Another early morning confirmation from the NRL - this time the Origin schedule has been locked in. Per the News Corp report on 9 November, the men's series is as follows:

Game I: Suncorp Stadium (Brisbane), Wednesday 28 May
Game II: Optus Stadium (Perth), Wednesday 18 June
Game III: Accor Stadium (Sydney), Wednesday 9 July

The Women's series will be played entirely in May:

Game I: Suncorp Stadium (Brisbane), Thursday 1 May
Game II: Allianz Stadium (Sydney), Thursday 15 May
Game III: McDonald Jones Stadium (Newcastle), Thursday 29 May

The series opener for the women will be the first day of the four-day NRL Magic Round festival, meaning that round has moved forward a fortnight from Round 11 to Round 9.

The Under 19's State of Origin double header will be played on the Sunshine Coast on Thursday 19 June.

Super League Magic Weekend, fixture date

On Sunday night (UK time), the Super League confirmed its Magic Weekend was headed back to St James. Park in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and will be held the same weekend as the NRL's Magic Round - May 3 and 4. The full Super League fixture will be released Thursday night 7pm AEDT (8am UK time).

Eels in Darwin one last time

Later on Monday, Parramatta confirmed that 2025 would be the club's last season hosting a home game in Darwin, bringing an end to their 12-year partnership with the NT Government.

Sun 17 Nov

Round 1 confirmed

And just like that, the NRL drops Round 1 (sort of). We have days and times for all games now (times AEDT). Aside from Las Vegas, venues are not confirmed:

Sun 2 Mar 11am: Canberra v Warriors (Las Vegas)
Sun 2 Mar 3:30pm: Penrith v Cronulla (Las Vegas)
Thu 6 Mar 8:00pm: Sydney v Brisbane
Fri 7 Mar 6:00pm: Wests Tigers v Newcastle
Fri 7 Mar 8:05pm: Dolphins v South Sydney
Sat 8 Mar 5:30pm: St Geo Illa v Canterbury
Sat 8 Mar 7:35pm: Manly v North Qld
Sun 9 Mar 4:05pm: Melbourne v Parramatta
BYE: Gold Coast

The NRL's "draw explainer" for Round 1 is here.

While the NRL insists all venues for the six games being played on March 6-9 are "Stadium TBA", several reports and even some clubs have confirmed venues - Allianz (SYD v BRI), Suncorp (DOL v SOU), 4 Pines (MAN v NQL) and AAMI (MEL v PAR) have all rated a mention as of 8am Sunday morning.

Thursday 21 November release

Manly's article on the season opener confirms the NRL draw will be released on Thursday 21 November.

Sat 16 Nov

All Stars to remain in February

The SMH reports in a story about Latrell Mitchell that the annual All Stars fixture is likely to remain in the pre-season schedule, despite discussions around moving it to after the Grand Final as part of a larger Indigenous set of games including the Koori Knockout. The same article suggests the NRL Draw for 2025 is expected to be released at the "end of next week".

Tue 12 Nov

7-tackle long kickoff rule mooted, shut down

WWOS reports a potential rule change is being discussed for the 2025 NRL season, with long kick-offs set to attract a punishment of a seven tackle set. Under the proposed new rule, a team kicking off will concede a seven tackle set if the kickoff lands beyond the opponent's 20 metre line.

The concept is designed to combat an increasing number of head injuries stemming from kickoff returns across the last couple of seasons.

Update: an AAP report later on Tuesday indicated this change would not occur.

Mon 11 Nov

Manly to play 12 at Brookie

With the end of Manly's duties hosting Brisbane at Magic Round, News Corp reports that Manly have requested the Broncos be drawn to play at Brookvale - and if granted it would be the first time since 2014.

Manly have also submitted a request to play the Eels and Roosters at home.

Sat 9 Nov

Reported Origin dates

A new report out of News Corp says the NRL has pencilled in its State of Origin dates:

Game I: Suncorp Stadium (Brisbane), Wednesday 28 May
Game II: Optus Stadium (Perth), Wednesday 18 June
Game III: Accor Stadium (Sydney), Wednesday 9 July

Clubs have reportedly been told to expect the reveal of the draw "within the next fortnight".

Thu 31 Oct

The first draw leaks begin

News Corp leaks begin! This report suggests Brisbane's new Magic Round opponent will be reigning premiers Penrith, who themselves are a home team in 2025 as a result of their temporary home ground arrangements.

The same masthead suggests the Dolphins could host the Rabbitohs at Suncorp Stadium in Round 1, which would bring former Dolphins boss Wayne Bennett back to face his former charges in the first competitive game of the year.

The draw "should be released mid-November", per Dean Ritchie's reporting.

Wed 9 Oct

Accor Stadium availability

Accor Stadium - home to the Bulldogs and Rabbitohs - will be out of action on the weekend of Round 1 (March 7-8) with the "Race of Champions" to be hosted at Sydney's largest stadium. More info here.

Thu 3 Oct 2024 - what we know so far

Season opener will again be Rugby League Las Vegas. The two matches will be Penrith v Cronulla, and Canberra v Warriors on Sat 1 Mar (US) which is Sun 2 Mar AEST. The event will also include a Super League clash involving Wigan and Warrington, and a women's test between Australia and England.
Wests Tigers venue split - 4 games at Commbank, 4 games at Campbelltown, 3 games at Leichhardt and one at Magic Round
Penrith are moving to Commbank Stadium while Penrith Park is being rebuilt - they'll play 8 games there, with 1 at Mudgee, 1 at Bathurst, 1 in Vegas and 1 at Magic Round
South Sydney will play a home game at Perth's Optus Stadium in 2025, and will also head back to Mudgee in the pre-season where they'll host the Dragons in the Charity Shield
Manly will no longer take home games to alternate venues, or host a Magic Round 'home' game - they will play all 12 games at 4 Pines Park Brookvale
The Warriors have an agreement to continue to play at least one home game in Christchurch. They have confirmed 10 games to be played at Go Media Stadium in Auckland
St George Illawarra have a 6-6 split between Kogarah and Wollongong, with the Roosters hosting ANZAC Day next season
Gold Coast will host 11 games at Cbus Super Stadium with one at Suncorp (Magic Round)
The 2025 NRLW season will expand to twelve teams, with Canterbury coming into the competition and the Warriors re-entering after a four-season hiatus. As such, it will likely expand to 11 rounds next season.

Other things we know

Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane will host Magic Round with the NRL extending its agreement with the QLD government for three more years to 2027.
Optus Stadium in Perth will host the 'neutral' Origin match in 2025.
Should the NRL Grand Final remain on the Sunday of the NSW Labour Day weekend, it will be held on Sunday 5 October. The venue for the match is not yet confirmed.

State based feeder clubs for 2025 are as follows:

Brisbane Broncos
QRL: Burleigh Bears, Souths Logan Magpies, Wynnum Manly Seagulls

Canberra Raiders
NSWRL: Canberra Raiders

Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
NSWRL: Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs

Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks
NSWRL: Newtown Jets (NSW Cup), Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks (all other grades)

Dolphins
QRL: Central Queensland Capras, Norths Devils, Redcliffe Dolphins

Gold Coast Titans
QRL: Ipswich Jets, Tweed Seagulls

Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles
NSWRL: Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles
(agreement with Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles ended)

Melbourne Storm
NSWRL: North Sydney Bears (NSW Cup), Melbourne Storm (all other grades)
QRL: Brisbane Tigers, Sunshine Coast Falcons

Newcastle Knights
NSWRL: Newcastle Knights

North Queensland Cowboys
QRL: Mackay Cutters, Northern Pride

Parramatta Eels
NSWRL: Parramatta Eels

Penrith Panthers
NSWRL: Penrith Panthers

St George Illawarra Dragons
NSWRL: St George Illawarra Dragons

South Sydney Rabbitohs
NSWRL: South Sydney Rabbitohs
QRL: Townsville Blackhawks

Sydney Roosters
NSWRL: Sydney Roosters

Warriors
NSWRL: Warriors

Wests Tigers
NSWRL: Wests Tigers, Western Suburbs Magpies, Balmain Tigers

Note: several NRL clubs have pathways affiliate agreements with state-based clubs but these are not "feeder" clubs to NRL teams.