The Storm won’t have to wait long for their shot at redemption against grand final rivals the Broncos, while Wagga Wagga has been locked in to host next year’s NRLW Magic Round as more details of the draw emerge.
Melbourne will host Brisbane on March 20 in a round three Friday night blockbuster that ensures the premiers will be put to the ultimate test in the opening month following confirmation they will take on Penrith in the first round.
Last month’s epic grand final win made it back-to-back victories for the Broncos over the Storm who will look very different next year with Ryan Papenhuyzen one of several stars no longer at the club.
Melbourne has a dominant record over Brisbane in recent years and won both regular season matches against them in 2007 after losing the grand final the previous year, before they belted Brisbane 40-0 in the finals later that season.
There are plenty of grudge matches on the cards next year, with the Wests Tigers set to take on the Bulldogs in round 13 where Jarome Luai and Lachlan Galvin will renew their rivalry.
The Tigers produced a stunning upset over the Bulldogs in their first meeting since Galvin left the club, and they’ll get another chance to show the five-eighth what he’s missing when they clash on May 30.
The Magic Round draw has also been locked in for next year with the Suncorp Stadium extravaganza kicking off on Thursday, May 14 with the women’s State of Origin, before the NRL takes over the city.
The Sharks and Bulldogs will kick-off the round before the Rabbitohs and Dolphins clash in the primetime slot on Friday night.
Jonah Pezet will take on his former side for the second time in 2026 when the Eels and Storm do battle in the pick of the Saturday games, while the Warriors and Broncos will collide in a Sunday classic.
The Raiders will have the bye next year after they defeated the Storm in one of the craziest games of the season.
The NRLW Magic Round has also been confirmed with fans hoping for drier conditions after torrential rain wreaked havoc in Newcastle.
Wagga Wagga will play host next year, with the 12 teams heading to Geohex Park – which has a crowd capacity of 10,000 – for triple headers on August 1 and 2.
“Wagga Wagga has a deep and historic connection to rugby league, producing several elite players who have represented at state and national levels,” NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo said.
“It’s also the largest inland city in New South Wales, a vibrant hub of culture and the arts, not to mention great restaurants, accommodation and wineries, making it an ideal host for the 2026 NRLW Magic Round for players and fans.”
NRL MAGIC ROUND
Friday 15 May
Sharks v Bulldogs, 6pm
Rabbitohs v Dolphins, 8pm
Saturday 16 May
Tigers v Sea Eagles, 3pm
Roosters v Cowboys, 5.30pm
Eels v Storm, 7:45pm
Sunday 17 May
Titans v Knights, 2pm
Warriors v Broncos, 4pm
Panthers v Dragons, 6.15pm
NRLW MAGIC ROUND
Saturday, August 1
Sharks v Wests Tigers, 12pm
Dragons v Roosters, 2.15pm
Raiders v Cowboys, 4.15pm
Sunday, August 2
Bulldogs v Broncos, 12pm
Warriors v Titans, 1.45pm
Eels v Knights, 4pm
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