The NRL will release its hotly anticipated schedule for the 2025 season on Thursday.
It’s a big date for footy fans as they look to avoid wedding clashes and anything else that interferes with their favourite footy team.
The draw will be of particular interest for Panthers fans, with the team moving away from their beloved home in Penrith for two years while the stadium is redeveloped.
Here’s what we know about the draw so far:
Round 1 has been revealed
We’ve known for some time that the Panthers will help open the season against the Sharks in Las Vegas on Sunday, March 2 (Australian time).
The game will kick-off at 3.30pm Sydney time and will be the second NRL game that day, with the Raiders and Warriors playing earlier.
The NRL has already revealed the rest of the Round 1 schedule, with the Roosters to play the Broncos, the Tigers tackling the Knights, the Dolphins clashing with the Rabbitohs, the Dragons meeting the Bulldogs, the Sea Eagles hosting the Cowboys and the Storm playing the Eels.
Origin locked in
The dates for the State of Origin series are known with Sydney potentially hosting a deciding third game.
Suncorp Stadium will host the Blues v Maroons opener on Wednesday, May 28 while Perth’s Optus Stadium will host the second game on Wednesday, June 18. The third game of the series is on Wednesday, July 9 at Accor Stadium.
Women’s Origin has also been locked in with games on Thursday, May 1 at Suncorp Stadium, Thursday, May 15 at Allianz Stadium and Thursday, May 29 at McDonald Jones Stadium.
Panthers on the road
Penrith will play only eight games at CommBank Stadium in Parramatta, with the club opting to take games on the road while the stadium in Penrith is redeveloped.
The Panthers will host home games in Bathurst and Mudgee, and will also be the home team at Magic Round for the first time. It’s been rumoured the Panthers will play the Broncos on the Friday night of Magic Round.
No dates have been announced for Penrith’s regional games just yet.
NRLW Magic Round
The Magic Round concept will expand in 2025 with the introduction of an NRLW Magic Round.
The Australian Rugby League Commission (ARLC) announced that the inaugural 2025 NRLW Magic Round would be played at Newcastle’s McDonald Jones Stadium.
The announcement is part of a three-year agreement with the NSW Government, which will see NRLW Magic Round played in regional locations in NSW between 2025-2027.
When does the full draw come out?
You can expect the full draw to drop on the NRL’s website at 11am on Thursday.
Weekender Newsroom
This post has been published by the team in our newsroom.