Eighty minutes
A match is two 40-minute halves. Thirteen players per side are on the field. Six tackles, then the ball usually turns over. The team that scores more points wins.
Rugby league · 2026
NRL, explained.
Seventeen clubs. Eight finalists. One premiership. Here’s the quick guide.
The NRL is Australia and New Zealand’s top rugby league competition: 17 clubs, a 24-game regular season, and an eight-team finals series that ends with the Grand Final in Sydney.
League contact
Registered office published by the Australian Rugby League Commission. The NRL contact page is a form — it does not list a public switchboard. For tickets or a specific club, use that club.
- Headquarters
- National Rugby League
Rugby League Central
Driver Avenue
Moore Park NSW 2021
Australia
A short history
The National Rugby League was formed in 1998 after the Super League war, merging the Australian Rugby League and Super League competitions. The championship is the Telstra Premiership. The Grand Final is played at Accor Stadium in Sydney.
There are 17 clubs, including the New Zealand Warriors and the Dolphins, who joined in 2023. The 2025 premier is the Brisbane Broncos. The 2026 Grand Final is Sunday, October 4.
Current teams
Seventeen clubs on one ladder. There are no conferences. Open a club for scores, the next match, and news.
NRL ladder
Auckland WarriorsWAR
Brisbane BroncosBRI
Canberra RaidersCBR
Canterbury BulldogsCBY
Cronulla SharksCRO
Gold Coast TitansGLD
Manly Sea EaglesMAN
Melbourne StormMEL
Newcastle KnightsNEW
Parramatta EelsPAR
Penrith PanthersPEN
Redcliffe DolphinsDOL
South Sydney RabbitohsSOU
Sydney RoostersSYD
Sydney Wests TigersWST
Townsville CowboysNQL
Wollongong DragonsSGI
2026 schedule
The Telstra Premiership opened with Las Vegas matches on February 28 / March 1, then the Australian rounds from March 5. Each club plays 24 regular-season games. The finals started September 11. The Grand Final is October 4 at Accor Stadium.
How the league works
Thirteen a side. Two halves. Four points for a try.
The ladder
A win is two competition points. A draw is one. Ladder position is decided by points, then points difference.
One table
There are no conferences. All 17 clubs sit on the same ladder. The top eight play finals. Each week one club has a bye.
Scoring
A try is four points. The conversion after a try is two. A penalty goal is two. A field goal (drop goal) is one — or two from longer range under current rules.
Sets and the kick
A side usually has six tackles to make metres, then kicks for field position or a try. A knock-on or forward pass gives the ball to the other side.
The premiership
The minor premier is first after 24 games. The premier is whoever wins the Grand Final. A club can finish first and still lose the cup.
The season
Las Vegas to open, then rounds from March into early September, then four weekends of finals through the first Sunday in October.
How the finals work
Eight clubs. Four weekends. The top four get a second chance in week one.
Week one
Qualifying finals: 1 v 4 and 2 v 3. Winners go to a preliminary final. Losers get another game. Elimination finals: 5 v 8 and 6 v 7. Losers are out.
Semis and prelims
Week two: qualifying-final losers play elimination-final winners. Week three: those winners play the week-one qualifying winners in preliminary finals.
Grand Final
One match at Accor Stadium. In 2026 that is Sunday, October 4, on the same bill as the NRLW Grand Final.
2026: Finals week one was September 11–13. Home ground in the first two weeks goes to the higher ladder team.
For the live ladder, see the NRL standings.
Office address, 2026 dates, and finals format checked September 24, 2026. Use the official NRL links if an address or date changes.