Every NRL team’s 2026 draw ranked – from easiest to toughest

“Fairest draw in history,” NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo joked on Friday to the dozen or so reporters sitting at Rugby League HQ, furiously carving up the freshly revealed 2026 schedule. Penrith would probably argue otherwise, having been given more games against last year’s top four than any other side. Truth is, there are innumerable ways to spin a team’s schedule as easy or tough, with the Herald analysing the fixture list for all 17 clubs and rating their opponents based on where each team finished last season. Premiers Brisbane are ranked as No.1, wooden-spooners Newcastle No.17 and the rest fit in accordingly – with every team playing every other club once, and eight teams twice. So, the identity of the teams they play twice determine whether teams have a “tough” draw or an “easy” one.