Fans will get their first taste of NRL action for 2026 in just three weeks when the Witzer Pre-Season Challenge kicks off at Kogarah’s Jubilee Stadium.
Watch all 16 games of the 2026 NRL Pre-Season Challenge Live & Exclusive on FOX LEAGUE, available on Kayo Sports. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited time offer.
Once again, in a bid to grow the game outside of the metropolitan areas, the NRL have scheduled several games in locations such as Mackay, Queanbeyan, Gosford, Mudgee and the Sunshine Coast.
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The four Vegas-bound teams will kick off the pre-seasons with a double header on Saturday, February 7 (Bulldogs v Cowboys, Dragons v Knights).
The Broncos, who have won the previous two Pre-Season Challenges, won’t be able to defend their crown due to their involvement in the World Club Challenge against Hull KR in England on February 20.
FULL SCHEDULE (ALL TIMES AEDT)
Pre-Season Challenge Round 1
Saturday, February 7
Bulldogs vs. Cowboys @ Jubilee Stadium 5:30pm
Dragons vs. Knights @ Jubilee Stadium 7:30pm
Pre-Season Challenge Round 2
Thursday, February 12
Dolphins vs. Titans @ Kayo Stadium 8:00pm
Friday, February 13
Raiders vs. Storm @ Seiffert Oval, Queanbeyan 5:30pm
Cowboys vs. Panthers @ BB Print Stadium, Mackay 8:00pm
Saturday, February 14
Warriors vs. Sea Eagles @ McLean Park, Napier 1:40pm
Wests Tigers vs. Roosters @ McDonald Jones Stadium 3:50pm
Knights vs. Bulldogs @ McDonald Jones Stadium 6:00pm
Dragons vs. Rabbitohs @ WIN Stadium 8:10pm
Sunday, February 15
Sharks vs. Eels @ Henson Park (Fox) 6:00pm
Pre-Season Challenge Round 3
Friday, February 20
Warriors vs. Dolphins @ Leichhardt Oval (Fox) 6:00pm
Wests Tigers vs. Panthers @ Leichhardt Oval (Fox) 8:10pm
Saturday, February 21
Sharks vs. Raiders @ Polytec Stadium, Gosford (Fox) 3:50pm
Roosters vs. Eels @ Polytec Stadium, Gosford (Fox) 6:00pm
Storm vs. Titans @ Sunshine Coast Stadium (Fox) 8:10pm
Sunday, February 22
Rabbitohs vs. Sea Eagles @ Glen Willow Stadium, Mudgee (Fox) 4:00pm
RULES
There are no changes to the Pre-Season Challenge rules or points system.
Points system
Teams will be awarded 12 points for a win, and six for a draw, with several ways to score bonus points ensuring no contest is a dead rubber.
If a team scores five or more tries, they earn one extra bonus point, while earning the same amount for five or more linebreaks and 10 or more offloads.
The maximum a team can score with a win is 15 points, while three points are still on offer for the losing side.
How many players can each team name?
The NRL will once again allow clubs to field as many as 28 players in the pre-season challenge with unlimited interchanges.
What happens if teams are tied on points?
In the event of a tie after all games are completed, a system has been laid out to ensure the pre-season challenge will always have a victor.
The team with the highest points differential will stake the money home, but in the event teams are still level it comes down to a percentage.
The winner becomes the team with the greater percentage of points scored for and against, from tries and goals.
If somehow there is still a deadlock at the top of the ladder, the winner is decided by these statistics, in order — most tries, scores, most goals kicked, most field goals kicked, least amount of penalties conceded — and ultimately, the toss of a coin.
PREVIOUS WINNERS
2023 – Sea Eagles
2024 – Broncos
2025 – Broncos
WHAT’S ON THE LINE?
The winning team of the Pre-Season Challenge wins a $100,000 cash prize.
The season proper begins Sunday the 1st of March (AEDT) when the Knights take on the Cowboys from Las Vegas.
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