The 2020 NRL Draw is out, and we’ve found the five games you simply can’t miss at Panthers Stadium next season.
So tell your mate you can’t make his wedding, cancel that birthday party and tell your significant other there’s always next year to celebrate your anniversary…
Round 1: Panthers v Roosters (Saturday, March 14, 7.35pm)
The defending Premiers are heading to Panthers Stadium to open up their threepeat campaign, which means some of the game’s biggest stars will be on show to celebrate the start of the season.
Penrith were one of the few sides to beat the Roosters last season, and would be somewhat confident of opening the new year with a bang against Trent Robinson’s men.
Opening day is always special. Book your tickets ASAP!
Round 5: Panthers v Raiders (Sunday, April 12, 4.05pm)
Last year’s grand finalists come to the foot of the Mountains in Round 5 and it promises to be a great game of footy, with these sides always enjoying tight contests.
This Easter Sunday blockbuster between the 1990 and 1991 Grand Finalists promises plenty of big hits and will help give Penrith fans a guide of where the side is at after a month of footy.
Let’s send Ricky’s men back to the nation’s capital with a loss!
Round 6: Panthers v Tigers (Sunday, April 19, 4.05pm)
This rivalry between the game’s big cats has gone to a new level in recent years after the whole Ivan Cleary coaching saga a couple of years back.
Last year the Panthers snuck home 9-8 in a dour affair to get first blood in the new rivalry, but the Tigers hit back in Magic Round by thumping the Panthers at Suncorp Stadium.
This promises to be a belter – and a Sunday arvo sell-out.
Round 21: Panthers v Dragons (Friday, August 7, 7.55pm)
This game has been a beauty the last few seasons, with the Panthers piling on the points and enjoying confidence-boosting wins.
This is Penrith’s only prime-time Friday night game of the season, so it promises to deliver a great crowd and an awesome atmosphere.
Will both sides be in Finals contention at this time of the season?
Round 25: Panthers v Eels (Sunday, September 6, 4.05pm)
The dream is that these arch rivals are both in the top eight, or at least fighting for a spot, by the time the final game of the season comes around. If that’s the case, this will be a sell-out.
While it’s a long time to wait for the year’s best derby, Panthers Stadium will be absolutely pumping.
Even if it’s a dead rubber, a clash between Penrith and Parramatta is always enticing.
Troy Dodds
Troy Dodds is the Weekender's Managing Editor and Breaking News Reporter. He has more than 20 years experience as a journalist, working with some of Australia's leading media organisations. In 2023, he was named Editor of the Year at the Mumbrella Publish Awards.