LeagueNews.co | Jess Malloy

2026 Draw Debrief: Round 1 Fixtures revealed

The 2026 season opens with an exciting clash as the defending champions, Brisbane, face off against the Panthers, the team they famously defeated in last year's thrilling preliminary final.

This season also raises the question of whether the Melbourne Storm can maintain their remarkable streak of being unbeaten in Round 1 since Craig Bellamy took over in 2003.

The much-anticipated Friday night match will take place at Suncorp Stadium, infamous for Adam Reynolds' standout performance that marked the end of Penrith's four-year dominance.

Meanwhile, Dylan Brown is set to bring his explosive form from the Pacific Championships to Newcastle as he aims to lead his new team to victory in Las Vegas.

NRL.com provides a comprehensive overview of the captivating opening round of the 2026 season, which begins on March 1 at the impressive Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas and concludes with the Dolphins welcoming the Rabbitohs on Sunday afternoon.

The Bulldogs are looking to build on their impressive 2025 season. Despite facing a quick exit from the finals, the team is driven to make a strong comeback during the offseason. The addition of robust prop Leo Thompson further strengthens Coach Cameron Ciraldo's squad, and they will seek to establish dominance against the unpredictable Dragons, who have not reached the finals since 2018. Fans will be eager to see young talent Lachlan Galvin in his 15th match for the Bulldogs as he aims to impress and lead them toward future success.

After a remarkable campaign with the Kiwis in the Pacific Championships and a full pre-season with his new teammates, Dylan Brown will finally have the opportunity to win over the long-suffering Knights supporters. Together with stars like Kalyn Ponga, Bradman Best, and Fletcher Sharpe, the former Eel is determined to help the Knights secure their third premiership, the first since 2001. To make their season kickoff a success, the Knights will need to effectively counter the diverse attacking threats posed by the Cowboys, led by Scott Drinkwater and Tom Dearden.