NRL draw: Penrith Panthers handed harsh schedule as 2026 fixtures released

Artificial intelligence has delivered one of the fairest draws on record for 2026, but try telling that to Penrith fans with their team facing the toughest schedule as they enter the new season without a premiership for the first time since 2021.

The competition kicks off in Las Vegas on March 1 and finishes on October 4, with the NRL implementing a draw that featured only 12 five-day turnarounds with no club having more than one.

“No draw is ever perfect, but with the use of new software and a record number of inputs and constraints, the 2026 schedule is finalised and fans have a great deal to get excited about,” NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo said.

“We have focused on fans, player wellbeing and balancing competitive elements. The reduction of five-day turnarounds to no more than one per club and the distribution of byes were important outcomes to achieve.”

While the draw is clearly fairer than previous years, some clubs do have it easier than their rivals based on what happened in 2025.

That doesn’t always mean much given some teams can come from the clouds to rise up the rankings while traditionally strong teams can slide.

As it stands, Penrith faces the toughest draw next year and hasn’t been given any favours with the premiers waiting in round one before they face fellow top-eight teams the Sharks and Roosters and then a western Sydney showdown with the Eels.

Ivan Cleary’s men had a horror start to 2025 and were last after 12 rounds before they turned things around, with the Roosters, Storm and Bulldogs waiting for them in the final month.

They play top-four sides the Broncos, Storm, Raiders and Bulldogs twice next season in what shapes as the toughest draw out of any club with 13 matches against teams that played finals footy this year.

The Rabbitohs have the second hardest draw and the Storm are third, but there’s better news for clubs like the Warriors, Sharks and Sea Eagles who appear to have softer schedules.

Cronulla only plays one top-four team next year (the Raiders), while the Sea Eagles only have to face the Storm twice and avoid a trip to Melbourne with that match in Perth.

The free-to-air split is solid with 10 clubs having at least 10 games on Channel 9 next year, but you’ll need to subscribe to Kayo or Foxtel to watch the Titans who only have two matches on FTA.

The Warriors are next worst with three, while the Raiders have been rewarded for their exciting brand of footy with the minor premiers getting nine games on FTA.

Key fixtures have been gradually released all week, with fans already knowing the details for the grand final rematch and when Jarome Luai and Lachlan Galvin will clash again.

But there are plenty of other intriguing matches that will have fans hoping that summer comes and goes so they can sink their teeth into the new NRL season.

JONAH AND THE SALE

We already knew that Jonah Pezet was playing the Storm in round 1, and the young playmaker only has to wait another week to face the side he’ll be joining in 2026. The unique deal means Pezet join the Eels next season before he heads north to link up with Brisbane on a long-term deal. He’ll wear blue and gold when Parramatta goes to Suncorp Stadium to open round 2, where he’ll take on his future teammates.

FRIDAY THE 13TH

Cue the horror soundtrack when old foes the Roosters and South Sydney meet at Allianz Stadium in round 2. These teams simply hate each other and have to wait until the final round until they meet again. There are always storylines galore when these sides meet, with the Book of Feuds likely to have a new chapter added to it next year if Latrell Mitchell and co fire up.

CHERRY ON TOP

There are plenty of tantalising reunions, with Dylan Brown and other stars to face their former sides next year, but there are none bigger than Daly Cherry-Evans returning to Brookvale in round 4. The Manly legend shocked the club when he announced he was leaving, and after months of waiting for confirmation of what everyone knew, it was revealed that he was heading to the Roosters. His combination with Sam Walker will be a huge talking point, as will how he’s welcomed back to the place he called home for 15 seasons.

DOG DAYS AREN’T OVER

The Bulldogs and Panthers played one of the great regular season games last season when Nathan Cleary came up clutch to lead his side to victory, but we were robbed of a repeat when Penrith rested all their players for the return clash. The finals meeting fizzled out thanks to a faultless first half from the champions, but the clash in round 6 should be one for the ages if everyone is fit and firing given how many former Panthers are at the Bulldogs and how much the blue and whites want to make a statement.

DAVID THE GOLIATH

Fans have to wait until round 26 for David Fifita to return to the Gold Coast in what could be a hostile reunion. Fifita played five seasons for the Titans on big money but wasn’t able to bring the club much joy. His departure seemed inevitable, with the back-rower joining the Rabbitohs who have desperately missed punch on the edges.