How to watch 2026 NRL Round 1 matches For FREE, TV Schedule, Times

NRL Round 1 Schedule 2026: Date, Kick-off times, How to watch Free on Channel 9, Broadcast info.

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. 

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.

NRL Round 1 B Broadcast Schedule – Watch ROUND 1 NRL  For Free on Channel, Kick-off times

(All times AEDT)

Sunday March 1  

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 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. 

____