Blockbuster 2026 NRL Free Footy Season Kicks Off on Channel 9 – A red-hot round 1 of NRL on Nine will signal the opening of the free footy season when Las Vegas and an all-star cast of Reece Walsh, Nathan Cleary, Cameron Munster, Mitch Moses, Latrell Mitchell and Isiaya Katoa put on a show like no other, from 1.00pm AEDT, on Sunday, March 1.
Channel 9HD and 9Now is the place to be for free footy in 2026, where you can enjoy the biggest and best NRL fixtures, men’s and women’s State of Origin and NRL Grand Final exclusive and every game of the NRLW Premiership.
The ultimate NRL season preview gets coverage underway live from Las Vegas with James Bracey, Danika Mason, Phil Gould, Paul Gallen, Sam Thaiday and Millie Elliott. While experts Andrew Johns, Cameron Smith, Billy Slater, Johnathan Thurston, Allana Ferguson and Brad Fittler reveal all their tips, tricks and bold predictions for the season ahead.
Then at 3.00pm AEDT, one of the oldest and richest rivalries in rugby league turns a new page when the Bulldogs and Dragons meet at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas for opening day of the 2026 NRL season.
Danika Mason will capture all the latest from the world famous strip in Vegas every morning including gameday on Today. The season premiere of Sunday sports panel show Wide World of Sports, will follow from 10.00am AEDT on Sunday, March 1 when Gus Gould and the Bulldogs army gather before their opening round fixture in Vegas.
Back on Aussie soil Thursday Night Footy sees the Melbourne Storm host the Parramatta Eels at AAMI Park Melbourne. Cam Munster and Harry Grant will lead the way to keep coach Craig Bellamy’s round 1 unbeaten streak alive dating back to 2003, intriguingly against a former Bellamy apprentice in Eels coach Jason Ryles.
It’s lights, camera, action on Friday Night Footy when the two biggest names in the game, Reece Walsh and Nathan Cleary put on a show in Broncos v Panthers at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane.
On Sunday Arvo Footy the Dolphins and their young gun playmaker Isaiya Kotoa meet the Rabbitohs in Brisbane. Supercoach Wayne Bennett was responsible for the bulk of the current Dolphins roster and will have a few Rabbitohs aces up his sleeve to play in Latrell Mitchell, Cody Walker, David Fifita, Jack Wighton and Cam Murray.
BROADCAST SCHEDULE – ROUND 1 NRL ON CHANNEL 9
Sunday March 1 – (All times AEDT)
7.00am – WEEKEND TODAY with Danika Mason and Sam Thaiday Live in Las Vegas
10.00am – WIDE WORLD OF SPORTS, crossing Live to Las Vegas with Gus Gould and the Bulldogs. (From 9am in Perth)
NRL 2026 VEGAS COUNTDOWN
Sydney/Melbourne AEDT 1.00pm FREE on Channel 9HD, stream free on 9Now
Brisbane AEST 12.00pm FREE on Channel 9HD, stream free on 9Now
NRL: BULLDOGS v DRAGONS
Sydney/Melbourne AEDT 3.00pm FREE on Channel 9HD, stream free on 9Now
Brisbane AEST 2.00pm FREE on Channel 9HD, stream free on 9Now
Thursday, March 5
THURSDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL – STORM v EELS
Sydney 7.30pm FREE on Channel 9HD, stream free on 9Now
Brisbane 6.30pm FREE on 9GemHD, 7.00pm Channel 9HD, stream free on 9Now
Melbourne 7.30pm FREE on Channel 9HD, stream free on 9Now
Adelaide 7.00pm FREE on 9GemHD, stream free on 9Now
Perth 4.30pm FREE on 9GemHD, stream free on 9Now
Friday, March 6
FRIDAY NIGHT FOOTY – BRONCOS v PANTHERS
Sydney 7.30pm FREE on Channel 9HD, stream free on 9Now
Brisbane 6.30pm FREE on Channel 9HD, stream free on 9Now
Melbourne 7.30pm FREE on Channel 9HD, stream free on 9Now
Adelaide 7.00pm FREE on 9GemHD, stream free on 9Now
Perth 4.30pm FREE on 9GemHD, stream free on 9Now
Sunday, March 8
SUNDAY ARVO FOOTY – DOLPHINS v RABBITOHS
Sydney 3.00pm FREE on Channel 9HD, stream free on 9Now
Brisbane 3.00pm FREE on Channel 9HD, stream free on 9Now
Melbourne 3.00pm FREE on 9GemHD, stream free on 9Now
Adelaide 2.30pm FREE on 9GemHD, stream free on 9Now
Perth 12.00pm FREE on Channel 9HD, stream free on 9Now
Monday, March 9
100% FOOTY – 9.00pm on Channel 9 and 9Now in Sydney/Brisbane, following Married At First Sight.
It’s business time in the 2026 NRL season. Host James Bracey, Phil Gould and Paul Gallen are joined by the most capped Queensland Maroons player of all-time, Cameron Smith, and Allana Ferguson. 9News rugby league reporter Danny Weidler brings the latest breaking news each week in front of a live studio audience.
NRL 2026 VEGAS COUNTDOWN – SUNDAY, MARCH 1, FROM 1.00PM AEDT LIVE AND FREE ON CHANNEL 9HD AND 9NOW
Media Release – Nine
TV Central NRL content HERE
Blockbuster 2026 NRL Free Footy Season Kicks Off on Channel 9
