2026 NRLW Draw Analysis: Red V prepare for bumper season

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

Preparations for the 2026 NRLW season are underway and, with the Draw now live, excitement is beginning to build.

A BIG OPENING FORTNIGHT

The squad opens their season with a Saturday afternoon battle against the Raiders at Jubilee Stadium in the lead-up to the NRL side’s Round 18 clash.

They face the Eels in their Wollongong opener the following Sunday as they look to start 2026 on the right foot.

NRLW Match Highlights: Round 1 v Raiders

ROADTRIPPIN’

The Dragons find themselves on the road from Rounds 3 through 5.

They take on the Knights in Newcastle and the Bulldogs at Homebush before a key Magic Round showdown against 2025 Grand Finalists the Roosters at Wagga Wagga’s Geohex Park.

THE FINISH

The Dragons finish the regular season with a trio of enormous outings.

They journey to Auckland for the first time since 2019 in Round 9 to meet the new-look Warriors before taking on defending premiers Brisbane in Wollongong the following week.

Nathan Cross’ group ends their regular season with a local derby face-off against the Sharks in the Shire.

A STRING OF DOUBLE-HEADERS

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

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

THE DAYS & VENUES

As for the finer details, all 11 of the side’s matches will be played on Saturdays and Sundays.

The Saturday 3:15pm timeslot is the squad’s most common (3) followed by Sunday 12:45pm (2) and Sunday 11:50am (2).

The Red V will play two matches at Kogarah and two at Wollongong.

They will also play games at Accor Stadium, Allianz Stadium, Cbus Super Stadium, Geohex Stadium, Go Media Stadium, McDonald Jones Stadium and Sharks Stadium.