The 2026 NRL season gets underway on Sunday and it promises to be another thrilling seven months of action.
It was Brisbane Broncos who won the NRL Grand Final in 2025, ending Penrith Panthers' four-year spell of dominance.
Canberra Raiders, Melbourne Storm, Canterbury Bulldogs and Sydney Roosters were all able to finish in the top eight last year, while Newcastle Knights picked up the unwanted wooden spoon after finishing 17th.
2026 NRL Season Tips Summary
Best Bet - Penrith Panthers to win regular season @ 5.50
Alternative Bet - Alternative Bet: New Zealand Warriors Top Eight Finish @ 2.40
Alternative Bet - Canterbury Bulldogs Top 4 Finish - Yes @ 3.30
2026 NRL Season Prediction
Best Bet: Penrith Panthers to win regular season @ 5.50
The Broncos are reigning champions, but they have already seen prop Payne Haas agree to join South Sydney Rabbitohs from 2027.
That could unsettle their camp when the going gets tough and Penrith look great value to finish on top of the pile.
For the first time since 2021, the Panthers head into the new season without the pressure of being defending champions and that could be a dangerous situation for the rest of the NRL.
Penrith started slowly in 2025 and had to adjust to a new halfback pairing, but they finished the regular season on a high and should build on that momentum.
They have kept their spine intact and have plenty of strength in depth across the park.
Unlike in previous seasons, they have not lost any of their big names in the offseason, so they have everything they need to finish on top of the pile.
Alternative Bet: Alternative Bet: New Zealand Warriors Top Eight Finish @ 2.40
New Zealand Warriors finished sixth in 2025 and they can build on that and have repeat success in the next seven months.
They have not made wholesale changes to their squad and that continuity should be vital to their chances of reaching the Finals again.
Head coach Andrew Webster will see his team have three of their first four games take place in Auckland and, if they can take advantage of that, it could give them plenty of momentum.
Webster has got a tune out of his team and kept them competitive throughout his tenure, so another Finals appearance seems likely.
Alternative Bet: Canterbury Bulldogs Top 4 Finish - Yes @ 3.30
After finishing third in 2025, Canterbury Bulldogs will be back for more this year, but will have to deal with the loss of both Toby Sexton and Reed Mahoney.
The addition of Leo Thompson and Sean O'Sullivan has given them more size to work with in key areas, but the former will miss the first 10 weeks of the competition through injury.
Their backs partnerships will have had another year to settle down and that will be crucial, seeing as neither Lachie Galvin nor Matt Burton are true halfbacks.
This year's fixture list has been pretty kind to the Bulldogs to start with and if they can find some momentum inside the first month, they should be tough to stop.
Canterbury's success in 2025 was built on their resolute defence and they only conceded 414 points in 24 games, the lowest total in the league.
Coach Cameron Ciraldo has built his team's success on their defensive dominance and that should only improve after another offseason working together.
If Brown or Burton can steady the ship for the first few months, they should be tough to stop once Thompson returns to give them some much-needed grunt up front.
Key Tournament Stats
Brisbane Broncos scored a league-high 680 points in the regular season before winning the Grand Final in 2025
Canterbury Bulldogs conceded the fewest points with 414 conceded in 24 games
Both Gold Coast Titans and Newcastle Knights won just six of their 24 matches in 2025
The Knights only scored 338 points
Mark Nawaqanitawase finished the 2025 season with 24 tries
Dolphins ace Jamayne Isaako scored 278 points last season, 50 more than any other player in the competition
Read more rugby league betting tips and predictions on site.
This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
