'2025 was something special, 2026 is going to be even better': Abdo

The 2025 season is widely considered to be one of the best in the game’s history, but NRL CEO Andrew Abdo believes the coming season will be bigger.

“2025 was something special, 2026 is going to be even better,” Abdo told players, broadcasters, sponsors and media at the NRL's 2026 season launch on Tuesday.

Standing alongside stars from the 17 NRL clubs and the Telstra Premiership Trophy with a glistening Sydney Harbour in the background, Abdo listed a number of facts that had reaffirmed rugby league as the No.1 code in Australia and the Pacific.

“It was an unbelievable season last year, I think we had 70 matches end within six points and obviously we had ebbs and flows, some great comebacks and unbelievable football,” Abdo said.

“The question is how do you get better than that and I think looking at the shape the players are in, how fit and strong they look, and how enthusiastic they are … we are in for another delight.

“I think the season is going to be closer than ever and I think we are going to see more football. Obviously, we have seen a few tweaks, a few players move and some new rule changes come in so there is lot to look forward to.”

The opening two matches of the Pre-Season Challenge were played last Saturday, kicking off a 40-week season that concludes with the finals of Rugby League World Cup 2026 at Suncorp Stadium on November 15.

Among the highlights are:

The annual Men’s and Women’s All Stars in Hamilton on Sunday

The final two weeks of the Pre-Season Challenge

The World Club Challenge between the Broncos and Hull KR next Friday

The season opening double-header at Allegiant Stadium on February 28

State of Origin

The World Cup, kicking off with the Kangaroos v Kiwis at Allianz Stadium on October 15.

“2026 has something for everyone,” Abdo said. “We go to All Stars in New Zealand this weekend, then we finish the Witzer Pre-season Challenge, we go to Vegas for our season opener, we head into the premiership, State of Origin and of course this year we end with the 2026 Men’s, Women’s and Wheelchair World Cup right here in Australia, PNG and New Zealand.”

The World Cup will feature 26 teams from 13 nations, comprising of 10 Men’s, eight Women’s and eight Wheelchair teams.

Since the 2022 World Cup, the Kiwis have twice won the Pacific Cup, beating Australia in the 2023 final and Samoa in last year’s decider, with the Kangaroos defeating Tonga in 2024.

Australia won last year’s Ashes Series against England, who beat Tonga in 2023 and Samoa in 2024.

“I think this will be the most competitive World Cup we've ever had,” Abdo said. “There are possibly four, five, six teams that could compete to win it.”

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