NRL draw sends Rabbitohs, Sharks to Perth in 2026 for double-header as Bears warm-up
The Rabbitohs and Sharks are preparing to Perth for a double-header next season, as further details of the NRL’s 2026 season draw emerge.
In a massive opportunity for the NRL to win over Western Australian hearts and minds ahead of the arrival of the Perth Bears in 2027, the Bunnies and Sharks have been pencilled in to host back-to-back games on April 11.
With AI technology formulating the much-anticipated NRL season draw for the first time, the NRL are in the final stages of completing every crucial fixture.
At this stage, the Rabbitohs are preparing to play the Raiders, while the Sharks are expecting to play the Roosters.
The draw development has emerged in the wake of News Corp breaking the news surrounding the NRL’s lack of stadium availability in Sydney across the opening month of the season due to the AFC Women’s Asian Cup.
It is likely to force the Rabbitohs, Eels, Panthers and Bulldogs on the road to commence the season.
In the case of the Bulldogs and Rabbitohs, they face the opening three weeks of the season on the road because Accor Stadium is out of action until the Asian Cup final is played on March 21.
The NRL is expected to announce the 2026 fixture later this week, around the same time period as the AFL fixture.