Disclosure: We research and test the best streaming options for viewers in Canada. If you purchase through our links, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
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.
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 1 to 5) in EST:
| Date | Match | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Week 1 of 27 | ||
| Feb 28, 2026 | Newcastle Knights vs North Queensland Cowboys | 11:30 PM |
| Feb 28, 2026 | Canterbury Bulldogs vs St George-Illawarra Dragons | 9:15 PM |
| Thu Mar 5, 2026 | Melbourne Storm vs Parramatta Eels | 4:00 AM |
| Fri Mar 6, 2026 | New Zealand Warriors vs Sydney Roosters | 2:00 AM |
| Fri Mar 6, 2026 | Brisbane Broncos vs Penrith Panthers | 4:00 AM |
| Sat Mar 7, 2026 | Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks vs Gold Coast Titans | 1:30 AM |
| Sat Mar 7, 2026 | Manly Sea Eagles vs Canberra Raiders | 3:35 AM |
| Sun Mar 8, 2026 | Dolphins vs South Sydney Rabbitohs | 12:05 AM |
| Week 2 of 27 | ||
| Thu Mar 12, 2026 | Brisbane Broncos vs Parramatta Eels | 4:00 AM |
| Fri Mar 13, 2026 | New Zealand Warriors vs Canberra Raiders | 2:00 AM |
| Fri Mar 13, 2026 | Sydney Roosters vs South Sydney Rabbitohs | 4:00 AM |
| Fri Mar 13, 2026 | Wests Tigers vs North Queensland | 11:00 PM |
| Sat Mar 14, 2026 | St George-Illawarra Dragons vs Melbourne Storm | 1:30 AM |
| Sat Mar 14, 2026 | Penrith Panthers vs Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks | 3:35 AM |
| Sun Mar 15, 2026 | Manly Sea Eagles vs Newcastle | 12:05 AM |
| Sun Mar 15, 2026 | Dolphins vs Gold Coast Titans | 2:15 AM |
| Week 3 of 27 | ||
| Thu Mar 19, 2026 | Canberra Raiders vs Canterbury Bulldogs | 4:00 AM |
| Fri Mar 20, 2026 | Sydney Roosters vs Penrith Panthers | 2:00 AM |
| Fri Mar 20, 2026 | Melbourne Storm vs Brisbane Broncos | 4:00 AM |
| Fri Mar 20, 2026 | Newcastle vs New Zealand Warriors | 11:00 PM |
| Sat Mar 21, 2026 | Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks vs Dolphins | 1:30 AM |
| Sat Mar 21, 2026 | South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Wests Tigers | 3:35 AM |
| Sun Mar 22, 2026 | Parramatta Eels vs St George-Illawarra Dragons | 12:05 AM |
| Sun Mar 22, 2026 | North Queensland vs Gold Coast Titans | 2:15 AM |
| Week 4 of 27 | ||
| Thu Mar 26, 2026 | Manly Sea Eagles vs Sydney Roosters | 4:00 AM |
| Fri Mar 27, 2026 | New Zealand Warriors vs Wests Tigers | 2:00 AM |
| Fri Mar 27, 2026 | Brisbane Broncos vs Dolphins | 4:00 AM |
| Fri Mar 27, 2026 | Canterbury Bulldogs vs Newcastle | 11:00 PM |
| Sat Mar 28, 2026 | Penrith Panthers vs Parramatta Eels | 1:30 AM |
| Sat Mar 28, 2026 | North Queensland vs Melbourne Storm | 2:30 AM |
| Sun Mar 29, 2026 | Canberra Raiders vs Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks | 1:05 AM |
| Sun Mar 29, 2026 | Gold Coast Titans vs St George-Illawarra Dragons | 3:15 AM |
| Week 5 of 27 | ||
| Thu Apr 2, 2026 | Dolphins vs Manly Sea Eagles | 5:00 AM |
| Fri Apr 3, 2026 | South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Canterbury Bulldogs | 1:05 AM |
| Fri Apr 3, 2026 | Penrith Panthers vs Melbourne Storm | 5:00 AM |
| Sat Apr 4, 2026 | St George-Illawarra Dragons vs North Queensland | 2:30 AM |
| Sat Apr 4, 2026 | Gold Coast Titans vs Brisbane Broncos | 4:35 AM |
| Sun Apr 5, 2026 | Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks vs New Zealand Warriors | 12:00 AM |
| Sun Apr 5, 2026 | Newcastle vs Canberra Raiders | 2:05 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.
