The may have just won the club’s first JJ Giltinan Shield in 35 years.
But Ricky Stuart the Canberra Raiders have drawn the short AI straw, missing out on Magic Round in 2026 with a bye, despite being one of the most entertaining—and popular—teams of 2025.
The NRL has released the offical match list for the annual weekend of festivities at Suncorp Stadium with nine games crammed into four days of action to complete Round 11 of the NRL premiership.
Magic Round will begin on the night of Thursday 14 May with Game 3 of the 2026 Women’s State of Origin series between Queensland and New South Wales.
MORE: ‘Bullsh*t’: Wests Tigers miss out for second time in three years
Eight NRL clashes will then follow beginning with the Sharks playing the Bulldogs on Friday night, and concluding with Panthers facing the Dragons in the last of three Sunday matches.
All the while, the Raiders and their fans will be left to watch from afar.
The later-than-usual scheduling of next year’s Magic Round—it was held two weeks earlier in 2025, Round 9—also means it will be the final weekend before Queensland and NSW selectors name their teams for the 2026 State of Origin series opener in Sydney on May 27.
No Magic round in 2026 🥲
— Canberra Raiders (@RaidersCanberra) November 12, 2025
We've been left Home Alone 🏠#WeAreRaiders pic.twitter.com/BfxDcCk9iv
2026 NRL Magic Round Schedule
All matches to be played at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane.
Thursday 14 May
- Women’s State of Origin Game 3
Friday 15 May
- Sharks v Bulldogs, 6.00 pm (AEST) - Fox
- Rabbitohs v Dolphins, 8.00 pm (AEST) - Nine/Fox
Saturday 16 May
- Wests Tigers v Sea Eagles, 3.00 pm (AEST) - Fox
- Roosters v Cowboys, 5.30 pm (AEST) - Fox
- Eels v Storm, 7.45 pm (AEST) - Nine/Fox
Sunday 17 May
- Titans v Knights, 2.00 pm (AEST) - Fox
- Warriors v Broncos, 4.00 pm (AEST) - Nine/Fox
- Panthers v Dragons, 6.25 pm (AEST) - Fox