How to Watch National Rugby League in Canada [Live | 2026]

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.

Next up is Round 22. 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, 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!

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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 at CA$29.99/mo. and CA$42.99/mo. respectively. The Premium plan also gives you access to extended rugby coverage.

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

Key Dates for NRL 2026

NRL 2026 Schedule

Here’s a schedule for upcoming NRL 2026 matches (Week 24 to 26) in EDT:

Other Sports/Tournaments You Can Watch In Canada

Here are some other sports events that you can enjoy watching in Canada:

• Watch NHL in Canada
• Watch MLB in Canada
• Watch the AFL in Canada.
• Watch MLS 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.

Conclusion

The 2026 NRL hits  Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas on March 1, as the Knights and Cowboys opened the season.

You can watch the National Rugby League in Canada for free on 9Now (with a VPN) or stream it via Watch NRL and Sportsnet+ with a paid subscription.

I’ve also provided a free method to stream all the games, but keep in mind that a VPN like Surfshark will be necessary for accessing geo-restricted services and the free streaming option.