Watch NRL 2026 live streams as the Brisbane Broncos begin their hunt for back-to-back Premierships following their dramatic comeback win in last year's Grand Final. Below we have all the info on how to watch NRL footy from anywhere in the world with details on worldwide TV channels, broadcasters and FREE streaming online.
Watch NRL 2026 Quick Guide
Key dates
- Regular season: Mar. 1 – Sep. 6
- Grand Final: Sunday, October 4
Las Vegas will once again play host to the opening games of the NRL season, with the Newcastle Knights vs North Queensland Cowboys followed by Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs vs St George Illawarra Dragons taking place in Sin City. You can find the start times of those games and all of the Round 1 fixtures below.
Here's where to watch NRL 2026 live streams online from anywhere – including options to watch absolutely FREE!
Next fixtures – Round 1
Sunday, March 1
Knights vs Cowboys – 1.15pm AEDT / 9.15pm ET (Sat.) / 2.15am GMT
Bulldogs vs Dragons – 3.30pm AEDT / 11.30pm ET (Sat.) / 4.30am GMT
Thursday, March 5
Storm vs Eels – 8pm AEDT / 4am ET / 9am GMT
Friday, March 6
Warriors vs Roosters – 6pm AEDT / 2am ET / 7am GMT
Broncos vs Panthers – 8pm AEDT / 4am ET / 9am GMT
Saturday, March 7
Sharks vs Titans – 5.30pm AEDT / 1.30am ET / 6.30am GMT
Sea Eagles vs Raiders – 7.35pm AEDT / 3.35am ET / 8.35am GMT
Sunday, March 8
Dolphins vs Rabbitohs – 4.05pm AEDT / 12.05am ET / 5.05am GMT
Can I watch NRL in 2026 for free?
Three NRL games are on free-to-air Channel 9 and 9Now in Australia during each week of the regular season. Every game of the State of Origin series and Grand Final are also on Channel 9 and 9Now.
To keep up to date with the games being broadcast head to 9Now's sports schedule page.
What if you're overseas? Use NordVPN to watch your usual streaming service from anywhere.
Use a VPN to watch NRL from anywhere
This handy piece of software can make your device appear as if it's back in your home country and let you watch your usual streaming services. The best VPN right now? We recommend NordVPN – it does everything and comes with a 74% discount and a free Amazon Gift Card.
Using a VPN is incredibly simple:
1. Install the VPN of your choice. As we've said, NordVPN is our favorite.
2. Choose the location you wish to connect to in the VPN app. For instance, if you're visiting the US and want to view your usual Australian service, you'd select a server in Australia from the list.
3. Sit back and enjoy the action. Head to your usual local streaming service and watch the footy.
How to watch NRL 2026 live streams in the US
In the US, three NRL games are shown on Fox Sport each week during the regular season, plus the entirety of the State of Origin and Finals Series.
Cord cutters will be able to watch those games on the network's Fox One streaming platform, which costs from $19.99 a month after a 7-day free trial. Or go for a full OTT cable replacement service such as Sling TV (in selected cities), Fubo, YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV.
Only bothered about the rugby? You can see every single game on the dedicated Watch NRL streaming platform, from $20 per week.
If you're traveling outside of the US, you can make use of NordVPN to catch the action on any of the above services.
How to watch NRL 2026 live streams in Canada
NRL 2026 coverage goes out on Sportsnet in Canada, with three matches per week, State of Origin and Finals Series
That means you can also watch online thanks to its Sportsnet+ streaming service (from $29.99 a month / $249.99 a year). And the Watch NRL platform will show every single fixture.
If you already subscribe to these services but find yourself outside Canada, download a VPN and watch NRL games as if you were back at home.
How to watch NRL 2026 live streams in the UK
NRL 2026 action is covered by Sky Sports in the UK. Its channels will show three games per week, together with all Final Series, State of Origin and Grand Final matches.
Sky Sports packages start from £22 per month or you can get a more flexible Now Sports membership starting from £14.99 for a day pass.
Alternatively, die-hard fans might want to check out Watch NRL, which costs £16 a week, £39 a month month or £143 for the whole season and will unlock access to every single NRL game of the 2026 season.
Outside the UK? You’ll might need to download a VPN, as detailed above, to watch your usual stream from abroad.
How to watch NRL 2026 live streams in Australia
As mentioned above, three NRL games per week are on free-to-air Channel 9 in Australia during the regular season, with live streaming available via 9Now. The entirety of the State of Origin and finals series, including the Grand Final, will also be on Channel 9 and 9Now.
Every single game, meanwhile, will be shown on Fox League via Foxtel. While Kayo Sports is a much more cost-efficient option, with plans starting from $30 a month after you've taken advantage of its first month for $1 offer or 7-day free trial.
If you're currently out of Australia but want to watch NRL live streams, you'll need to get yourself a VPN, as per the instructions above.
How to watch NRL 2026 live streams in New Zealand
Sky Sport NZ is the NRL rights holder in New Zealand, with some games going out on its free-to-access Sky Open channel.
You can access Sky Sport through satellite TV or get a live stream with the Sky Sport Now subscription service starting at $29.99 per day or $54.99 per month.
Overseas? NordVPN will give you access to your home streaming service.
How to watch NRL 2026 live streams in Rest of World
Every single match of the 2026 NRL Premiership season will be shown on the dedicated Watch NRL streaming platform, which is available in all territories except for Australia, New Zealand, the Pacific Islands and other selected sanctioned jurisdictions (e.g. Russia, Belarus, Cuba, Iran, North Korea).
Subscriptions cost $20 per week, $39 per month or $182 for a whole year. Check the website for pricing in your region.
Many countries also show games on TV and online through their domestic broadcasters:
Africa
NRL broadcast rights are held by ESPN Africa, which provides coverage to sub-Saharan countries including:
Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burundi, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Congo Democratic Republic, Congo Republic, Ivory Coast, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritius, Mauritania, Mayotte, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Reunion, Rwanda, Sao Tome & Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, St Helena, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Western Sahara, Zanzibar, Zambia, Zimbabwe
Europe
- Austria, Germany & Switzerland
Sport 1 has the rights to show three NRL games per week in these countries
- France
NRL coverage is available via beIN Sports in France, with three games per week.
- Netherlands
ESPN holds the rights to the NRL in the Netherlands.
Asia
The Grand Final, State of Origin and three matches per week will be shown on Premier Sports Asia in the following countries:
Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei, Cambodia, East Timor, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Laos, Macau, Malaysia, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam
Oceania
Sky Pacific has the rights to the 2026 NRL season in the following countries:
Fiji, Cook Islands, Kiribati, Nauru, Niue, Papua New Guinea, American Samoa, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Pacific Islands (i.e. Melanesia, Micronesia, Polynesia)
Additionally, games will be shown in Papua New Guinea on the free TVWAN, in Samoa on TV3, in Tonga on Digicel, in the Cook Islands via Elijah Comm, and in the Solomons on TTV.
How to watch NRL 2026 – FAQs
When does the 2026 NRL season start?
The 2026 NRL regular season starts on Sunday, March 1 in Australia (Saturday, February 28 in the US), with a double-header: Knights vs Cowboys and Bulldogs vs Dragons in Las Vegas. The season runs until Sunday, September 6, 2026.
The regular season is immediately followed by the Final Series, with the Grand Final set for Sunday, October 4.
Can I watch NRL 2026 on my mobile?
The vast majority of broadcasters mentioned in this article have streaming services that you can access through mobile apps or via your phone's browser. For example, Watch NRL, 9Now, Fox One and Sky Go all have mobile apps.
You can also stay up-to-date with the latest NRL news on the official social media channels on X (@NRL), Instagram (nrl), Facebook (NRL) TikTok (@nrl) and YouTube (@NRL).
We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example: 1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service). 2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad. We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.
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