Top of the bill status has been handed to the One New Zealand Warriors for the NRL’s 2026 Magic Round with confirmation of a mouth-watering clash against premiership winners the Brisbane Broncos at Suncorp Stadium.
Ahead of the full draw being announced tomorrow, the NRL has released details of the competition’s seventh annual football festival scheduled for May 15-17 next year.
The standout feature is the second of the three games on the third day when the Warriors meet the Broncos; as is the case for the Magic Round, the Broncos will again be the “away” team at their home ground.
Brisbane will be the Warriors’ sixth different opponent since the Magic Round concept was introduced in 2019.
Match: Warriors v Cowboys
Round 9 -
home Team
Warriors
3rd Position
away Team
Cowboys
9th Position
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
That year they beat the Dragons 26-18, there was no round in 2020 and then they lost 18-34 to the Eels in 2021, 30-32 to the Rabbitohs in 2022 and 6-18 on the Panthers in 2023. Stunning back-to-back wins have followed over Penrith (22-20) last year and the Cowboys (30-26) this season.
The two matches between the Warriors and Broncos were split this season, the Warriors winning 20-18 in extra time at Go Media Stadium while the Broncos had a 26-12 victory at Suncorp Stadium.
Brisbane's 2026 squad boasts middle forward Xavier Willison, an impressive Test debutant in the Kiwis' Pacific Championships-winning campaign while winger Josiah Karapani came into the squad as a late replacement but didn't play.
Prop Payne Haas and centre Deine Mariner lined up for Toa Sāmoa in the Pacific series while Brisbane also had three players in the Kangaroos' Ashes-winning side against England - fullback Reece Walsh, centres Kotoni Staggs and Gehamat Shibasaki and prop Patrick Carrigan.
2026 NRL Draw | Magic Round
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Friday, May 15
Sharks v Bulldogs
Rabbitohs v Dolphins
Saturday, May 16
Tigers v Sea Eagles
Roosters v Cowboys
Eels v Storm
Sunday, May 17
Titans v Knights
Warriors v Broncos
Panthers v Dragons
