The National Rugby League (NRL) has released its fixture for the 2026 season, prompting discussions among fans and analysts about the relative toughness of each team’s schedule. NRL Chief Executive Andrew Abdo humorously referred to it as the “fairest draw in history” during a press conference held at Rugby League HQ. However, teams like the Penrith Panthers may dispute this claim, as they face a challenging lineup against last season’s top performers.
The NRL’s schedule features all 17 teams playing each other once, with eight clubs facing off twice. The ranking of each team’s opponents is based on their standings from the previous season. The reigning champions, the Brisbane Broncos, have been rated the strongest, while the Newcastle Knights, who finished last, are ranked at the bottom of the list.
Breaking Down the Toughest Schedules
The analysis highlights how the identity of teams faced twice can significantly impact a team’s prospects for the season. For instance, the Panthers are set to play eight matches against last year’s top four teams, starting with a clash against the Broncos in round one. This heavy schedule is compounded by the fact that they will only meet the bottom four teams—Newcastle, Gold Coast, St George Illawarra, and South Sydney)—once.
Despite these challenges, Penrith will benefit from strategic byes before the State of Origin games, which may help them navigate their schedule more effectively. Moreover, they do not have any five-day turnarounds, although they will need to travel extensively, including four trips to Queensland and one to Darwin.
Other teams facing demanding draws include the South Sydney Rabbitohs, who will encounter heavyweights like Melbourne, Canberra, Canterbury, and the Sydney Roosters multiple times. Their schedule is further complicated by back-to-back tough stretches, especially considering their injury-riddled past two seasons.
The Melbourne Storm will also contend with a challenging outlook. They have been granted two byes during the Origin period and another after round 23, but their encounters with other top teams like Penrith and Brisbane will shape their performance throughout the season.
The Wests Tigers and the Brisbane Broncos are tied for the fourth toughest draw. The Tigers will aim for an early advantage with matches against the Cowboys, Rabbitohs, Eels, and Knights, but face a particularly grueling stretch thereafter featuring multiple top teams. The Broncos, on the other hand, will have the advantage of three byes during the State of Origin period, but they will still face numerous matches against last year’s top eight teams.
Teams with More Favorable Draws
Several teams will find their schedules comparatively easier. The Gold Coast Titans will face the Broncos twice but will only meet one other top-four team throughout the season. Their schedule includes relatively lighter competition, and they have a manageable five-day turnaround between home games.
The Canterbury Bulldogs benefit from a strategic bye after hosting the Dragons in Las Vegas, which should offer them a moment to regroup before tackling a tough mid-season stretch. In contrast, the New Zealand Warriors have a demanding travel schedule but are shielded from facing many top teams multiple times.
Meanwhile, teams like the Manly Sea Eagles and Cronulla Sharks are likely to enjoy the most favorable fixtures. Manly starts the season with three home games at Brookvale and faces the fewest encounters against last year’s top eight teams. Similarly, the Sharks will only meet the top teams once, granting them a softer schedule overall.
As the 2026 season approaches, the varying strengths of these schedules could ultimately play a vital role in determining which teams advance to the finals. With the excitement of the NRL season building, teams will need to strategize effectively to navigate their unique draws.
