The National Rugby League (NRL) has set to implement significant changes to its scheduling process beginning in 2026. This decision comes in direct response to player and analyst complaints regarding the abundance and unfair treatment of scheduled matches. No team will have to play against a direct opponent in less than four weeks after their final game. The length of time between rematches will now be raised to at least six weeks. That’s a departure from the 2025 season. At that time, clubs often played each other just weeks apart.
Brown, one of the best players on last year’s Parramatta Eels, has some time to make that decision. He’ll take on his old opponents again in Round 13. Parramatta is scheduled to visit Newcastle on May 30 for an anticipated match that may showcase the impact of the new scheduling rules.
In response to criticism about the unevenness of the competition, the NRL’s new draw process will rely heavily on artificial intelligence. In a move aimed at creating a more balanced schedule, the league intends to minimize instances where teams meet in quick succession. Yet in the 2025 season, clubs played each other seven times—including a match-up just four weeks after their last meeting! On top of that, teams had to face each other eight more times just five weeks later. In total, there were only 15 such short-term return match-ups that season.
Former rugby-league player Matty Johns lamented the “crazy” scheduling, saying sporting fans are sick of it. He remarked, “We’re six rounds in and everyone’s playing each other three times already, OK? What is going on?” He further questioned the complexity of the draw by stating, “I don’t know why it has to be so difficult.”
Prepare yourselves for some riveting pre-season action! They’ll start a little earlier this season, on February 7, with North Queensland again first up – this time against Penrith – in Mackay on February 13. After this, South Sydney and Manly will face off in Mudgee on February 22. The All-Stars among them, of course … but they’ll be back too, on the road in Hamilton, New Zealand on February 15.
As critics including national arch-rival Cooper Cronk have pointed out, there’s a better way to schedule. He proposed that “can we just have everyone play each other once and then work it out?” This sentiment is indicative of the growing demand for transparency and equity in the league.
Even with the NRL’s attempts to make the competition more even, some professional tipsters are not convinced. Mike Tomalaris commented on the league’s structure, stating, “The NRL is not a balanced competition at all. Laughable when compared to other leagues from other countries playing other sports.” Greg Alexander echoed similar sentiments, noting, “The draw is a mystery. I can’t explain the draw and I don’t know how we fix it, but it does seem a bit strange.”
As they prepare to host the big show in 2026, both fans and players alike can’t contain their excitement. Through these adjustments, they are aiming for a more equitable and exciting contest.
