I’d like to think at least Danika Mason will be Stateside for the Bulldogs vs Dragons game, meaning she could fly straight to Las Vegas from Milan.
I also wonder if Jim Courier will have a cameo role, whether in person or only via voiceover as he did in 2024.
EDIT: Sounds like James Bracey will be heading straight to Vegas from Milano-Cortina, if his recent Insta story is anything to go by…
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BLOCKBUSTER 2026 NRL FREE FOOTY SEASON KICKS OFF ON CHANNEL 9
LAS VEGAS OPENING DAY - SUNDAY, MARCH 1 PLUS
STORM V EELS, BRONCOS V PANTHERS, DOLPHINS V RABBITOHS
IN A RED-HOT ROUND 1 ALL FOR FREE ON CHANNEL 9
A red-hot round 1 of NRL on Nine will signal the opening of the free footy season when Las Vegas and an all-star cast of Reece Walsh, Nathan Cleary, Cameron Munster, Mitch Moses, Latrell Mitchell and Isiaya Katoa put on a show like no other, from 1.00pm AEDT, on Sunday, March 1.
Channel 9HD and 9Now is the place to be for free footy in 2026, where you can enjoy the biggest and best NRL fixtures, men’s and women’s State of Origin and NRL Grand Final exclusive and every game of the NRLW Premiership.
The ultimate NRL season preview gets coverage underway live from Las Vegas with James Bracey, Danika Mason, Phil Gould, Paul Gallen, Sam Thaiday and Millie Elliott. While experts Andrew Johns, Cameron Smith, Billy Slater, Johnathan Thurston, Allana Ferguson and Brad Fittler reveal all their tips, tricks and bold predictions for the season ahead.
Then at 3.00pm AEDT, one of the oldest and richest rivalries in rugby league turns a new page when the Bulldogs and Dragons meet at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas for opening day of the 2026 NRL season.
Danika Mason will capture all the latest from the world famous strip in Vegas every morning including gameday on Today. The season premiere of Sunday sports panel show Wide World of Sports, will follow from 10.00am AEDT on Sunday, March 1 when Gus Gould and the Bulldogs army gather before their opening round fixture in Vegas.
Back on Aussie soil Thursday Night Footy sees the Melbourne Storm host the Parramatta Eels at AAMI Park Melbourne. Cam Munster and Harry Grant will lead the way to keep coach Craig Bellamy’s round 1 unbeaten streak alive dating back to 2003, intriguingly against a former Bellamy apprentice in Eels coach Jason Ryles.
It’s lights, camera, action on Friday Night Footy when the two biggest names in the game, Reece Walsh and Nathan Cleary put on a show in Broncos v Panthers at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane.
On Sunday Arvo Footy the Dolphins and their young gun playmaker Isaiya Kotoa meet the Rabbitohs in Brisbane. Supercoach Wayne Bennett was responsible for the bulk of the current Dolphins roster and will have a few Rabbitohs aces up his sleeve to play in Latrell Mitchell, Cody Walker, David Fifita, Jack Wighton and Cam Murray.
BROADCAST SCHEDULE - ROUND 1 NRL ON CHANNEL 9
Sunday March 1 - (All times AEDT)
7.00am - WEEKEND TODAY with Danika Mason and Sam Thaiday Live in Las Vegas
10.00am - WIDE WORLD OF SPORTS, crossing Live to Las Vegas with Gus Gould and the Bulldogs. (From 9am in Perth)
NRL 2026 VEGAS COUNTDOWN
Sydney/Melbourne AEDT 1.00pm FREE on Channel 9HD, stream free on 9Now
Brisbane AEST 12.00pm FREE on Channel 9HD, stream free on 9Now
NRL: BULLDOGS v DRAGONS
Sydney/Melbourne AEDT 3.00pm FREE on Channel 9HD, stream free on 9Now
Brisbane AEST 2.00pm FREE on Channel 9HD, stream free on 9Now
Thursday, March 5
THURSDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL – STORM v EELS
Sydney 7.30pm FREE on Channel 9HD, stream free on 9Now
Brisbane 6.30pm FREE on 9GemHD, 7.00pm Channel 9HD, stream free on 9Now
Melbourne 7.30pm FREE on Channel 9HD, stream free on 9Now
Adelaide 7.00pm FREE on 9GemHD, stream free on 9Now
Perth 4.30pm FREE on 9GemHD, stream free on 9Now
Friday, March 6
FRIDAY NIGHT FOOTY – BRONCOS v PANTHERS
Sydney 7.30pm FREE on Channel 9HD, stream free on 9Now
Brisbane 6.30pm FREE on Channel 9HD, stream free on 9Now
Melbourne 7.30pm FREE on Channel 9HD, stream free on 9Now
Adelaide 7.00pm FREE on 9GemHD, stream free on 9Now
Perth 4.30pm FREE on 9GemHD, stream free on 9Now
Sunday, March 8
SUNDAY ARVO FOOTY – DOLPHINS v RABBITOHS
Sydney 3.00pm FREE on Channel 9HD, stream free on 9Now
Brisbane 3.00pm FREE on Channel 9HD, stream free on 9Now
Melbourne 3.00pm FREE on 9GemHD, stream free on 9Now
Adelaide 2.30pm FREE on 9GemHD, stream free on 9Now
Perth 12.00pm FREE on Channel 9HD, stream free on 9Now
Monday, March 9
100% FOOTY – 9.00pm on Channel 9 and 9Now in Sydney/Brisbane, following Married At First Sight.
It’s business time in the 2026 NRL season. Host James Bracey, Phil Gould and Paul Gallen are joined by the most capped Queensland Maroons player of all-time, Cameron Smith, and Allana Ferguson. 9News rugby league reporter Danny Weidler brings the latest breaking news each week in front of a live studio audience.
NRL 2026 VEGAS COUNTDOWN
SUNDAY, MARCH 1, FROM 1.00PM AEDT
LIVE AND FREE ON CHANNEL 9HD AND 9NOW
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This one is interesting… Friday night NRL on the main channel in Melbourne without the Storm being involved?
Good to see Perth appearing to get regular season Sunday arvo games on the main channel now.
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Also not to mention the AFL being back that weekend too (that evening it’s Gold Coast vs Geelong from Carrara Stadium).
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Will they be calling the match from Las Vegas or as in the past off tube? Will their laziness continue given they send such a large team of people over there?
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I think if the last few years are anything to go by, Mat Thompson will likely call off-tube.
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Will Perth get a post game show maybe tailored to the audience a bit more - as on the East Coast the news follows the match straight away
Good to read that Perth will be airing the Sunday Arvo Footy on the main channel.
Note that the 3pm start time aedt (12pm in Perth) is the one-hour pre-match show. As kick off is actually at 4pm aedt (1pm in Perth). Meaning that the game in Perth will finish up at 3pm. Can’t see them having any post-match coverage for the time being.
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Perth main channels being sport-free on weekend afternoons when it’s dominating the multis will never be explainable.
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Which reminds me somehow.
I saw Adam Jackson from QTQ file a report from Vegas during last night’s Sydney bulletin..Danny Weidler is there too.
Plus as you posted further above, Danika and Sam Thaiday are presenting Weekend Today from Vegas.
And we know James Bracey will be there too.
Plus camera crew and other behind the scenes staff.
Quite the contingent for a network supposedly in cost cutting mode.
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I’d be intrigued to know who paid for a lot of the media’s flights there.
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NRL Obviously.
Vlandys junket in full swing( I can never warm to him) then.
I am worried this will not end well for the NRL and drain the coffer.
*“All day Sunday if you ignore the two hours between 11am and 1pm AEDT when we will show Fishing Australia and a Travel Guides repeat"
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Just Danika or will she host it?
Sam Thaiday is also hosting as well.
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Weekend Today with Sam Thaiday?
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