Penrith’s journey to a fifth straight NRL premiership will begin in the most unlikely of places – Las Vegas, Nevada – when they take on the Cronulla Sharks on Sunday, March 2 (AEDST).
The historic overseas fixture will usher in a new era for the defending Premiers, who won’t play a single game in Penrith for the first time since entering the first grade competition in 1967.
With Penrith Stadium currently undergoing a $309 million refurbishment, the Panthers will call Parramatta’s CommBank Stadium home for the next two NRL seasons.
On Thursday morning, the 2025 NRL schedule was officially released, confirming the Panthers will play eight home games at CommBank Stadium next season, while two home games will be played in regional NSW, and one home game in Brisbane as part of Magic Round.
Following Penrith’s season opener against the Sharks at Allegiant Stadium, they will return home to play the Sydney Roosters at CommBank Stadium on Friday, March 14 at 8pm.
A Grand Final rematch awaits in Round 3 when Penrith travel to Melbourne to play the Storm on Thursday, March 20 at 8pm.
A week later on Thursday, March 27, the Panthers will head to their ‘home away from home’, Accor Stadium, to battle Wayne Bennett’s South Sydney Rabbitohs.
Penrith will take on the North Queensland Cowboys at CommBank Stadium at 6pm on Friday, April 4 before travelling up to Suncorp Stadium on Thursday, April 10 to battle the plucky Dolphins.
On Saturday, April 19 at 7.35pm, the Panthers will head east to Moore Park to play the Sydney Roosters at Allianz Stadium, while on Saturday, April 26, they’ll battle Manly at CommBank Stadium as part of ANZAC Round.
The NRL’s Magic Round will kick off in Round 9, with Penrith hosting Reece Walsh and the Brisbane Broncos at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday, May 4 at 4.05pm.
The Panthers could remain north of the border ahead of Round 10, with a match against the Cowboys scheduled for Saturday, May 10 at Queensland Country Bank Stadium in Townsville.
Penrith will enjoy their first bye of the season in Round 11 before heading out to Bathurst’s Carrington Park for a match-up with the Newcastle Knights on Saturday, May 24 at 5.30pm.
A string of CommBank Stadium games await the Panthers in Rounds 13 and 14, the first against old foes Parramatta on Sunday, June 1 at 4.05pm, and the second against old friend Jarome Luai and the Wests Tigers on Sunday, June 8 at 4.05pm.
Penrith will have another bye in Round 15 before jetting off to Auckland for the first time in several years to face-off against the NZ Warriors on Saturday, June 21 at 3pm.
Another grudge match awaits the Premiers on Thursday, June 26 when they welcome Stephen Crichton and the Canterbury Bulldogs to CommBank Stadium.
Penrith will enjoy their final bye of the season as early as Round 18 before three straight fixtures await them at CommBank Stadium.
The first will be classed as an Eels ‘home’ match when they take on the Panthers on Sunday, July 13 at 4.05pm. Less than a week later, the Panthers will host South Sydney on Friday, July 18 at 8pm before the Tigers come to town again on Saturday, July 26 at 5.30pm.
Penrith will make their final trip to Queensland in Round 22 when they meet the Gold Coast Titans at 3pm on Saturday, August 2 at CBUS Stadium.
On Friday, August 8 at 6pm, the Panthers will play at McDonald Jones Stadium against Kalyn Ponga and the Newcastle Knights.
Another Grand Final rematch awaits Penrith on Thursday, August 14 when they come up against Melbourne at CommBank Stadium – their final game at the Parramatta venue for the regular season.
The Panthers will play a second game in regional NSW when they take on Ricky Stuart’s Canberra Raiders for the first time at Glen Willow Stadium in Mudgee on Friday, August 22 at 6pm.
On Thursday, August 28, the Panthers will pay Accor Stadium another visit for their second outing against the Bulldogs before rounding out their season with a trip to Wollongong to battle the new-look Dragons on Saturday, September 6 at 3pm.
Overall, Penrith will play 10 games at CommBank Stadium in 2025 – eight as the home team and two as the opposition.
They will travel interstate on five occasions – four times in Queensland and once in Melbourne.
They’ll also play two international fixtures, the first against the Sharks in the Unites States and the second against the Warriors in New Zealand.
“This is an exciting time for fans as we unveil the season 2025 integrated NRL and NRLW schedules,” NRL CEO Andrew Abdo said.
“The schedule is bigger and bolder than ever with 32 weeks of jaw-dropping action which will see rivalries, excitement and unparalleled skills at every turn.
“I’d like to thank our broadcast partners Channel Nine, Fox Sports, Sky Sports New Zealand and naming rights partner Telstra for their investment and support of the game.”
Nathan Taylor
Nathan Taylor is the Weekender's Deputy Editor and Senior Sports Writer. He also compiles the weekly Chatter on the Box TV column. Nathan is an award-winning journalist, who has worked at the Weekender for a decade.