Welcome back for another blockbuster season of NRL action. After 4 consecutive seasons of Panthers’ victories, a new winner emerged in 2025 with Broncos lifting the trophy. Now, they are the hunted, and it appears as though season 2026 is going to be blockbuster year, with many teams capable of finishing high on the ladder.
This time of the year holds the hopes of all teams higher than they should be. The preseason filled with hard work off the field is aiming to provide rewards on it. Unfortunately, there can only be 8 teams who make the finals and 1 who is named as Premiers. Before You Bet will be here to guide you through every single match each week, so stay tuned for insights and other NRL betting articles hoping to add a return to enhance your viewing enjoyment.
Let’s look at the chances of each team in NRL season 2026, and make sure you're betting with the best sports betting sites this season!
NRL 2026 Season Preview & Betting Tips
Contenders
Brisbane Broncos
The Premiers let their fitness do the talking at the business end of the season, continually prevailing in tight contests courtesy of finishing stronger of the two sides. They were tough and gritty; despite a few issues arising over the duration of the season, the Broncos prevailed when it mattered most. It will be interesting to see if this team can maintain this standard. There is no doubting their talent though and it will be intriguing to see how they navigate this campaign as everyone will be aware of what they offer.
Penrith Panthers
Last year would’ve hurt them. They didn’t make it to the Grand Final and while they had their share of excuses throughout the year, have taken full responsibility for what occurred. An uncharacteristically slow start to the year had them under pressure all season and in the end, it became too much. With a long preseason afforded to them, they are a team to be wary of. They unearthed some exciting young players, and they will be out to make amends for how they ended season 2025.
Melbourne Storm
A host of star players have departed their system and yet, following a loss in the Grand Final, the Storm appear strong heading into season 2026. You can never doubt their potential and this season should be no different. Their strength lies within their spine, with key players dominating their movement around the field. Regardless of whether they’re fit, their depth is evident across the field. It’s a simple formula: the forwards establish a strong platform, and the outside backs take their chances. Each year, teams try to emulate them, and this year will be no different. Yet again, they should be respected.
Sydney Roosters
New faces in key positions have rocketed the Roosters into strong contention for the 2026 Premiership. DCE and Robson offer representative strength to their team, and their forwards appear better than previous season; they’re strong, fast and uncompromising. Combine this with exciting outside backs, a tremendous fullback and captain, and an innovative coach, and the Roosters have the perfect formula to succeed this season. They should be taken seriously and would have underachieved should they not make it deep into the Finals.
Keep an eye on them…
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
Had the Bulldogs shown promise in attack, they would’ve been in the contending teams for 2026. Fact is, they struggle to score points when it mattered and despite having the best defence in the competition, they could manage to capitalise and build scoreboard pressure. It is also unknown if it can be rectified for season 2026. They will win more than half of their games, possessing a strong and motivated squad. Their greatest challenge will come in the Finals as they look to establish attacking dominance and change the script from last season.
Cronulla Sharks
The Premiership window is slowly closing on the Sharks and having this team another year older, without many major recruitment changes, doesn’t bode well for a team which continually falls short. If the Sharks are to improve, something drastic must change. They discovered some exciting youngsters in their forwards towards the end of last year and they will set a strong platform for the team to perform well off. This, combined with a talented coach, indicates that they should make the Finals but that can easily change should the Sharks lose momentum at any stage during the season.
South Sydney Rabbitohs
Excitement is building at Redfern and with the impending arrival of Haas in 2027, all players appear to have lifted to another level. Injuries have been their biggest limiter in recent season, reducing their ability to play with consistency. Though last year, their squad appeared to demonstrate a level of ‘fight’ which was absent prior. Arguably the form team of the trials, the Rabbitohs must keep their star players on the field if they are to push for a spot in the Top 8.
New Zealand Warriors
Fell away drastically towards the end of the season after a great campaign. That coincided with injuries to key players and there is no doubt it would’ve been a different outcome had those players featured in their team. Building nicely, the Warriors are consistently inconsistent, and the unknown is what they will produce in 2026. They could easily make a strong run towards the Premiership, or it all unravels quickly, and they miss the Top 8. Invest on the Warriors at your own peril this year. If one this is certain, they will be strong at home.
Canberra Raiders
It seems disrespectful to have the Raiders in this category given they were Minor Premiers last season before two consecutive losses saw them bundled out of the Finals. It is probably where they want to be. Regardless, there are some warning signs that this team may struggle. The departure of Fogarty leaves a hole in their spine and while some think it can be covered, it will be a large challenge for them to overcome. Their forwards are strong and competitive, with dynamic outside backs. They should feature in the Top 8 but someone must step up and make this team their own for this to happen. Teams are also wary of what they’re capable of now.
The Dolphins
A talented team that is built strongly around a star halfback. The Dolphins biggest issue last season was their defence. There is no doubting their attacking talent; on their day, they are one of the best in the competition. That is unlikely to disappear and providing they can fix them defensive issues prior (and throughout the season), the Dolphins should be pushing for a spot inside the Top 8. If they do, it wouldn’t shock. The other problem is that neither would another failed campaign that ultimately falls short.
Parramatta Eels
A big watch in 2026. They’ve recruited well and the talent of Ryles as a coach is beginning to emerge. Similarly to the Rabbitohs, they played with ‘fight’ in 2025 and gave few easy victories to their opponents. After a gruelling preseason, they should be well placed to succeed and will have a group of players that will want to make a statement. Turning that into victories is another challenge. There is no doubting their potential; majority of their success does depend on the fitness of Moses also. The Eels are a remarkably better team when he is on the field (on both sides of the ball).
Wests Tigers
There is a lot to like about the Tigers and a lot of it has to do with the younger players coming through their junior system. Another season together under Marshall’s leadership should see them perform strongly. With consistency still limiting their success, they need the experienced players regularly on the field and calling the shots. If that is to happen, they might just find themselves scraping into the Top 8.
No Chance
Newcastle Knights
The Knights struggled last season leading to the removal of their coach. Justin Holbrook has landed at the Knights, but the same issues appear prevalent. The inclusion of Brown to their club should improve their performance but a lot more must go right for this team. A great starting point would be getting the forwards to play with some ‘grunt’ this year. It’s a rebuilding year for the Knights and a crucial one in the club’s history. They will not tolerate mediocre performances for much longer.
Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles
The Sea Eagles should be higher based on the talent this team possesses. If they’re all fit and firing, they are a damaging attacking side. The departure of DCE will force others to rise to the challenge of controlling this team. There will be plenty of noise about this team, both positive and negative, throughout the season and agendas are pushed off field. Siebold is under plenty of pressure and needs his team to start the season strongly to hold onto his job.
North Queensland Cowboys
Most have Payten as the first coached sacked in 2026. That tells you everything about where this club is currently positioned. It could be as simple as the Cowboys improve on a disappointing 2025 campaign after a gruelling preseason in challenging conditions and prove everyone wrong. They have the right man to lead this team to success in Dearden, but several factors appear to be missing from this team. Will likely push for a spot in the Top 8 at some stage but have no credentials (at this stage of the season) to take the next step to success.
Gold Coast Titans
Another club who welcomes a new coach (Josh Hannay) to the helm. It takes a brave person to step into that role as the perennial underachievers, the Titans, look to improve on season 2025. Even Hasler’s impact couldn’t turn around the fortunes of this club. With a few talented representative players leading the club, there is no reason why this team shouldn’t finish higher on the ladder. Problem is, they lack consistency and until that improves, they will find themselves under plenty of pressure each week against superior opponents.
St George-Illawarra Dragons
Alarm bells are ringing at this club currently with little sign of improvement under their coach. It is worrying to see a squad of players already appear void of answers as they take the field and the Dragons require a drastic change of fortune. Perhaps it is the attitude, perhaps it is the discontent with the coach, perhaps they simply do not have the quality players to push for a spot in the Top 8. Whatever the reason, unfortunately, they are likely to finish last on the competition ladder for season 2026.
NRL 2026 Betting Tips
To Win the Premiership
Plenty of people have been lining up to knock this team but the quality of player within this squad speaks volumes. They will be out to make a statement again this season and after failing to make the Grand Final last year, are well placed to make amends. The fact that they also remain at home and do not have a World Club Challenge to contend with also allows for greater preparation for this side.
To make the Top 4
As mentioned above, the Roosters are an improving team. Having such a valuable price for them to maintain their consistency is enticing for punters. Their squad hasn’t lost much in the offseason, and some would argue that they are better placed to succeed in 2026.
To miss the Top 8
This isn’t a nice bet to suggest as it is banking on the fact that there will be injuries to key players within their squad. Unfortunately, they appear to lack the depth of most others in key areas. Invest on this option sparingly because they are talented enough to prove this humble tipster very, very wrong.
