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The 2026 NRL season has officially kicked off with a high-stakes opening weekend in Las Vegas on February 28.
With the Brisbane Broncos entering the year as defending premiers, fans are eager to see if they can maintain their dominance against a hungry pack of contenders.
Ultimately, this 27-round marathon leads to the highly anticipated NRL Grand Final on Sunday, October 4, 2026, at Accor Stadium in Sydney.
Next up is Round 5. With the Perth Bears joining as the 18th NRL franchise in 2027, this season marks a high-stakes “final stand” for the current 17-team format.
You can watch National Rugby League Final in Canada on 9Now for free, and via Watch NRL, and on Sportsnet+ with a paid subscription.
Since 9Now is inaccessible in Canada, use a VPN to bypass the geo-restriction and watch the games on the platform.
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When & Where Is National Rugby League Happening?
- Date: March 1 to October 4, 2026
- Venue: Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, US
- Broadcasters: Watch NRL (International), Sportsnet+ (Canada), 9Now (Australia)
How to Watch National Rugby League in Canada for Free
If you want to watch the NRL in Canada for free, 9Now is your best option. As the official Australian broadcaster, it streams three live matches every week, typically Thursday, Friday, and Sunday, along with the entire Finals Series and full replays.
Since the service is geo-restricted to Australia, you will need a VPN to access it from Canada. Simply connect to an Australian server, create a free 9Now account, and you can start streaming without a paid subscription.
Here’s how to watch the National Rugby League in Canada for free on 9Now:
Step 1: Download and install the Surfshark VPN App on your device.
Step 2: Open the VPN app and connect it to an Australian server.
Step 3: Visit 9Now and Click on Log in
Step 4: Enter your email
Step 5: Set up your account
Step 6: Enter your information (e.g., email and postcode 2010)
Step 7: Click on Create Account
Step 8: Verify your account
Step 9: Search for “NRL” and click on “NRL Premiership”
Step 10: Select the live match
Step 11: Enjoy streaming once the game goes live!
How to Watch NRL in Canada on Mobile Phones
Sportsnet+ is a premium streaming service and the official broadcaster of the NRL in Canada. You can stream select NRL games through it, including action-packed matches from the State of Origin series.
It offers standard and premium subscription plans starting CA$29.99/mo. and CA$42.99/mo. respectively. The Premium plan also gives you access to extended rugby coverage.
You can subscribe directly through its official website and app. Since it’s officially available in Canada, no VPN is required.
Here’s how to watch NRL in Canada on mobile phones:
Step 1: Go to the Sportsnet+ website and click on “Subscribe” to create a new account
Step 2: Choose your preferred subscription plan (i.e., Standard or Premium)
Step 3: Enter your Email
Step 4: Verify your account via email or phone number, then enter a 6-digit verification code
Step 6: Create a new password
Step 6: Enter your personal and card details to complete the purchase.
Step 7: Search for NRL and enjoy live streaming!
Watch National Rugby League in Canada on Watch NRL
Watch NRL is the official streaming service by NRL for international viewers outside Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific region, providing live access to every NRL game.
The platform offers its subscription in three packages: Weekly for AUD $24.00, Monthly for AUD $44.00, and Annual for AUD $229.00. Watch NRL is available globally, including Canada, so there’s no need for a VPN to access it.
How to Watch Every NRL 2026 Match for Free in Canada
Another way to catch up on the NRL 2026 games for free is through free apps like Rapid Streamz, SportzX, or RBTV33, by sideloading their APKs.
Moreover, you can also stream National Rugby League via free sports websites like livesport24.watch/ OR viprow.nu directly through your browser.
However, keep in mind that free streaming sources can be unreliable, so you must use a trusted VPN while streaming. Surfshark is our recommended choice.
Key Dates for NRL 2026
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Season Opener (Vegas) | February 28, 2026 |
| Australian Kick-off | March 5, 2026 |
| Magic Round | May 15 – 17, 2026 |
| Regular Season Ends | September 6, 2026 |
| NRL Grand Final | October 4, 2026 |
NRL 2026 Schedule
Here’s a schedule for upcoming NRL 2026 matches (Week 5 to 11) in EDT:
| Date | Match | Time (EDT) |
|---|---|---|
| Round 5 | ||
| Thu, Apr 2 | Dolphins vs. Manly Sea Eagles | 5:00 AM |
| Fri, Apr 3 | South Sydney Rabbitohs vs. Canterbury Bulldogs | 1:05 AM |
| Fri, Apr 3 | Penrith Panthers vs. Melbourne Storm | 5:00 AM |
| Sat, Apr 4 | St. George Illawarra Dragons vs. NQ Cowboys | 2:30 AM |
| Sat, Apr 4 | Gold Coast Titans vs. Brisbane Broncos | 4:35 AM |
| Sun, Apr 5 | Cronulla Sharks vs. NZ Warriors | 12:00 AM |
| Mon, Apr 6 | Newcastle Knights vs. Canberra Raiders | 2:05 AM |
| Thu, Apr 9 | Parramatta Eels vs. Wests Tigers | 2:05 AM |
| Round 6 | ||
| Fri, Apr 10 | Canterbury Bulldogs vs. Penrith Panthers | 5:50 AM |
| Fri, Apr 10 | St. George Illawarra Dragons vs. Manly Sea Eagles | 4:00 AM |
| Sat, Apr 11 | Brisbane Broncos vs. NQ Cowboys | 6:00 AM |
| Sat, Apr 11 | South Sydney Rabbitohs vs. Canberra Raiders | 1:00 AM |
| Sat, Apr 11 | Cronulla Sharks vs. Sydney Roosters | 3:30 AM |
| Sun, Apr 12 | Melbourne Storm vs. NZ Warriors | 5:35 AM |
| Sun, Apr 12 | Parramatta Eels vs. Gold Coast Titans | 12:00 AM |
| Thu, Apr 16 | Wests Tigers vs. Newcastle Knights | 2:05 AM |
| Round 7 | ||
| Fri, Apr 17 | NQ Cowboys vs. Manly Sea Eagles | 5:50 AM |
| Fri, Apr 17 | Canberra Raiders vs. Melbourne Storm | 4:00 AM |
| Sat, Apr 18 | Dolphins vs. Penrith Panthers | 6:00 AM |
| Sat, Apr 18 | NZ Warriors vs. Gold Coast Titans | 1:00 AM |
| Sat, Apr 18 | South Sydney Rabbitohs vs. St. George Illawarra | 3:30 AM |
| Sun, Apr 19 | Wests Tigers vs. Brisbane Broncos | 5:35 AM |
| Sun, Apr 19 | Sydney Roosters vs. Newcastle Knights | 12:00 AM |
| Thu, Apr 23 | Parramatta Eels vs. Canterbury Bulldogs | 2:05 AM |
| Round 8 | ||
| Fri, Apr 24 | Wests Tigers vs. Canberra Raiders | 5:50 AM |
| Fri, Apr 24 | NQ Cowboys vs. Cronulla Sharks | 4:00 AM |
| Sat, Apr 25 | Brisbane Broncos vs. Canterbury Bulldogs | 6:00 AM |
| Sat, Apr 25 | St. George Illawarra vs. Sydney Roosters | 2:00 AM |
| Sat, Apr 25 | NZ Warriors vs. Dolphins | 4:05 AM |
| Sun, Apr 26 | Melbourne Storm vs. South Sydney Rabbitohs | 6:10 AM |
| Sun, Apr 26 | Newcastle Knights vs. Penrith Panthers | 12:00 AM |
| Fri, May 1 | Manly Sea Eagles vs. Parramatta Eels | 2:05 AM |
| Round 9 | ||
| Fri, May 1 | Canterbury Bulldogs vs. NQ Cowboys | 4:00 AM |
| Sat, May 2 | Dolphins vs. Melbourne Storm | 6:00 AM |
| Sat, May 2 | Gold Coast Titans vs. Canberra Raiders | 1:00 AM |
| Sat, May 2 | Parramatta Eels vs. NZ Warriors | 3:30 AM |
| Sun, May 3 | Sydney Roosters vs. Brisbane Broncos | 5:35 AM |
| Sun, May 3 | Newcastle Knights vs. South Sydney Rabbitohs | 12:00 AM |
| Sun, May 3 | Cronulla Sharks vs. Wests Tigers | 2:05 AM |
| Thu, May 7 | Penrith Panthers vs. Manly Sea Eagles | 4:15 AM |
| Round 10 | ||
| Fri, May 8 | Dolphins vs. Canterbury Bulldogs | 5:50 AM |
| Fri, May 8 | Sydney Roosters vs. Gold Coast Titans | 4:00 AM |
| Sat, May 9 | NQ Cowboys vs. Parramatta Eels | 6:00 AM |
| Sat, May 9 | St. George Illawarra vs. Newcastle Knights | 1:00 AM |
| Sat, May 9 | South Sydney Rabbitohs vs. Cronulla Sharks | 3:30 AM |
| Sun, May 10 | Manly Sea Eagles vs. Brisbane Broncos | 5:35 AM |
| Sun, May 10 | Melbourne Storm vs. Wests Tigers | 12:00 AM |
| Fri, May 15 | Canberra Raiders vs. Penrith Panthers | 2:05 AM |
| Round 11 | ||
| Fri, May 15 | Cronulla Sharks vs. Canterbury Bulldogs | 4:00 AM |
| Sat, May 16 | South Sydney Rabbitohs vs. Dolphins | 6:00 AM |
| Sat, May 16 | Wests Tigers vs. Manly Sea Eagles | 1:00 AM |
| Sat, May 16 | Sydney Roosters vs. NQ Cowboys | 3:30 AM |
| Sat, May 16 | Parramatta Eels vs. Melbourne Storm | 5:45 AM |
| Sun, May 17 | Gold Coast Titans vs. Newcastle Knights | 12:00 AM |
| Sun, May 17 | NZ Warriors vs. Brisbane Broncos | 2:05 AM |
| Sun, May 17 | Penrith Panthers vs. St. George Illawarra | 4:25 AM |
NRL Champions of the Last Decade!
The past decade in the NRL has seen legendary teams rise, from the Sydney Roosters’ back-to-back titles to the Penrith Panthers’ dominance. Here’s a look at the champions shaping NRL history.
- 2016 — Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks
- 2017 — Melbourne Storm
- 2018 — Sydney Roosters
- 2019 — Sydney Roosters
- 2020 — Melbourne Storm
- 2021 — Penrith Panthers
- 2022 — Penrith Panthers
- 2023 — Penrith Panthers
- 2024 — Penrith Panthers
- 2025 — Brisbane Broncos
Other Sports/Tournaments You Can Watch In Canada
Here are some other sports events that you can enjoy watching in Canada:
FAQs – National Rugby League
1. Can I watch the NRL 2026 for free in Canada?
You can watch select NRL matches for free in Canada on Nine Network and 9Now with ads, or Foxtel Now with a 10-day free trial for new users with Surfshark.
2. Where can I watch the NRL 2026 live?
You can watch the NRL 2026 select live matches on the Nine Network/9Now for free and Sportsnet+ with paid subscription. However, Watch NRL offers every match live on its platform for a weekly/monthly/yearly subscription.
3. Which is the official broadcaster of NRL in Canada?
Sportsnet is the official broadcaster of the NRL in Canada. You can watch 3 regular games/week and Final series games with a Sportsnet+ Premium subscription.
