2026 NRL Draw Analysis: To Vegas and Beyond

Author: St George Illawarra Dragons
Timestamp: Fri 14 Nov 2025, 10:57 AM

With the 2026 NRL Draw now out, anticipation for the season is beginning to build ahead of a massive kick-off in Las Vegas.

WELCOME TO RED VEGAS

It’s hard to imagine a bigger season opener than a Dragons vs. Bulldogs showdown in the entertainment capital of the world.

Coined ‘The Death Star’, Las Vegas’ Allegiant Stadium is home to the NFL’s Las Vegas Raiders and college football’s UNLV Rebels and has also hosted concerts for the likes of Billy Joel, Guns N’ Roses, Elton John and Taylor Swift.

A wide range of travel packages are on offer to ensure that there is something suitable for every type of Dragons fan.

Whether you need help sorting flights, accommodation, fan experiences, tickets or all of the above, there is a package that fits your needs.

Check out this link to explore your options or take a look at our Find Your Package tool to kickstart your journey to Red Vegas.

THE WOLLONGONG & KOGARAH OPENERS

The Red V faithful will have the opportunity to catch the Dragons at home in Round 2 against 2025 Grand Finalists Melbourne at WIN Stadium.

The squad make their first Kogarah appearance in Round 5 when they take on the Cowboys in a Saturday evening bout.

Five clashes will be played at each venue along with two home fixtures at Allianz Stadium – blockbusters against the Roosters and Bulldogs.

ANZAC DAY & MAGIC ROUND

The Dragons will face the Roosters in the clubs’ annual Anzac Day clash at Allianz Stadium in Round 8.

Three weeks later, the Red V make the trip to Brisbane to do battle with the Panthers in a Sunday evening Magic Round showdown.

THE DERBIES

The Dragons will face local rivals Cronulla on two occasions in 2026 – both Sunday afternoon showdowns.

The first comes in Round 14 at Sharks Stadium with the second coming in Round 23 at Jubilee Stadium.

THE RUN HOME

Five of the squad’s final seven matches are home fixtures including a massive Round 25 face-off against the Bulldogs at Allianz.

The boys enjoy a three-week homestand beginning in Round 21 with clashes against the Titans (Jubilee), Dolphins (WIN), and Sharks (Jubilee).

They face the Wests Tigers in Round 24 at CommBank Stadium before a highly anticipated face-off with Canterbury at Allianz.

Their final fortnight of the regular season sees them journey to the Northern Beaches for a Friday evening showdown with the Sea Eagles before wrapping up the regular season with a meeting against Parramatta in Wollongong.

A STRING OF DOUBLE-HEADERS

Four NRL-NRLW double-headers have been scheduled in 2026.

Saturday, July 4 – NRL vs. Wests Tigers & NRLW vs. Raiders (Jubilee)
Sunday, August 9 – NRL vs. Sharks & NRLW vs. Wests Tigers (Jubilee)
Saturday, August 22 – NRL vs. Bulldogs & NRLW vs. Cowboys (Allianz)
Sunday, September 6 – NRL vs. Eels & NRLW vs. Broncos (WIN)

THE BYES

The Dragons first bye comes in Round 9 – the week after our Anzac Day clash – with the second coming in Round 15 – the week leading up to Origin II – and the third coming in Round – the week after Origin III.

SUNDAY FOOTY’S BACK ON THE MENU

11 of the side’s clashes in 2026 come on Sundays with nine coming on a Saturday and four coming on a Friday.

The Saturday 5:30pm timeslot is the side’s most common (7) with Sunday 4:05pm (4) and Sunday 2:00pm (4) the second-most common.

THE OPPONENTS & VENUES

We face the Bulldogs, Eels, Knights, Sea Eagles, Sharks, Titans, Warriors and Wests Tigers on multiple occasions.

The Broncos, Cowboys, Dolphins, Panthers, Rabbitohs, Raiders, Roosters and Storm are the sides we meet just the once.

Five of the side’s clashes will be at Jubilee Stadium and five at WIN Stadium with the other two home games scheduled for Allianz Stadium.

We also play twice at Suncorp Stadium and twice at CommBank Stadium to go along with clashes at 4 Pines Park, Accor Stadium, Allegiant Stadium, Cbus Super Stadium, GIO Stadium, Go Media Stadium, McDonald Jones Stadium and Sharks Stadium.