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A Las Vegas round will again kick off the new NRL season after the 2025 men’s and women’s fixtures were announced.
In the men’s competition, a split opening round begins on March 1 (US time) with premiers Penrith facing Cronulla-Sutherland, and Canberra taking on the NZ Warriors at Allegiant Stadium.
The round continues the following week in Australia, at Allianz Stadium in Sydney, on Thursday, March 6, when Sydney Roosters meets Brisbane.
Round six will feature a Perth double header, a match in Darwin (Parramatta vs Canberra) and the Warriors play in Christchurch in round eight.
An inaugural Indigenous theme will be held across two rounds 23 and 24, with three matches at Allianz Stadium and integrating the NRLW competition followed by Country Round.
“This is an exciting time for fans as we unveil the season 2025 integrated NRL and NRLW schedules,” NRL CEO Andrew Abdo said.
“The schedule is bigger and bolder than ever with 32 weeks of jaw-dropping action which will see rivalries, excitement and unparalleled skills at every turn.”
The 2025 draw will feature the lowest number of five-day turnarounds (21) compared to this season (26) and last season (30).
WOMEN
The women’s draw features two new teams, a Magic Round and 33 NRL-NRLW double headers.
The first ever NRLW Magic Round will be held while the competition kicks off on Thursday, July 3, when the Sharks hosts the Eels.
The Bulldogs and Warriors boost the number of teams to 12.
“In 2025 there will be more teams, more matches and more innovation in the women’s premiership,” Abdo said.
“The 12-team competition, now including the Bulldogs and the Warriors, will be the biggest in NRLW history.
“The addition of the NRLW Magic Round will be a unique opportunity for fans to see all the players and teams together in Newcastle in Round 5, and the extended finals series will add another dimension to the competition.
“The competition takes huge strides every year and I have no doubt that the eighth NRLW Premiership will be the best yet.”
The full men’s and women’s draw can be found at https://www.nrl.com/draw/
