The 2026 NRL Women's season will be the ninth professional season of the NRL Women's Premiership. The website, League Unlimited, reported that the 2026 NRLW season will follow the same format of the 2025 season, with twelve teams playing eleven rounds, with the Grand Final to be held on the same day as the men's NRL Grand Final, on Sunday, 4 October 2026 at Accor Stadium.[1]
A six teams over three weeks final series. Winners of 3rd place versus 6th place and 4th place versus 5th place in Week 1 meet 1st place and 2nd place in Week 2 semi-finals. Winners of the semi-finals meet in the Grand Final in Week 3.
Decision on the length of the regular season. In 2025, eleven rounds were played, the minimum required for the twelve teams to play each of their opponents once.
A three-match Women's State of Origin series to be played on 30 April (Newcastle), 14 May (Brisbane), and 28 May (Gold Coast) 2026.[28]
The NRL (men's) Grand Final Day, expected to be 4 October 2026.
Regular season
The draw for NRLW Magic Round was announced on 13 November 2025.[29]
The 2026 season salary cap for clubs is $1,386,000 and the minimum wage for contracted players is $46,200. Squad size is 24 players plus 4 development players.[27] In the recent seasons of 2023, 2024, and 2025, Clubs were required to fill their 24-player roster by late May. Players may be added to each club’s roster from outside the initial squad of 24 as injury replacements. This can be to cover season-ending injuries or a significant number of short-term injuries.
The following clubs announced the release of players after the conclusion of their 2025 season. The number in parenthesis alongside a player's name is the number of NRLW games played in the 2025 season.
Brisbane Broncos The Broncos announced the departure of seven players.[47] Five of the seven have been confirmed as signing with other NRLW clubs and are listed in the above Transfers table. The other two players were:
Newcastle Knights The Knights announced during their NRLW presentation awards evening the departure of six players.[50] Subsequently, Jesse Southwell was confirmed as signing with another NRLW club.
New Zealand Warriors The Warriors announced the release of seven players.[51] Subsequently, Lavinia Kitai was confirmed as signing with another NRLW club.
Avery-Rose Carmont (4)
Emily Curtain (5)
Makayla Eli (3)
Kalyn Takitimu-Cook (2)
Lydia Turua-Quedley (11)
Sharnyze Pihema (0) (development)
North Queensland Cowboys The Cowboys released three statements in late October and early November 2025, confirming the departure of six players.[52][53][54][55] Three of the five have been confirmed as signing with other NRLW clubs and are listed in the above Transfers table. The other three players were:
St George Illawarra Dragons The St George Illawarra Dragons have announced the release of eight players, with Raecene McGregor confirmed as signing with another NRLW club.[57]
Code Sports reported that Law was expected to sign with the Raiders.
Wests Tigers The Wests Tigers announced the release of 14 players, including three who had been on a development contract.[58] Subsequently, Montana Clifford & Chelsea Savill were confirmed as signing with another NRLW club.
Note: Felila Kia and Tyra Watere are contracted for 2026 but have signed with the Catalans Dragons for a stint in the French domestic competition in the off season. Both will return to the club for preseason in May.[74]
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