NRLW Magic Round, NRLW season 2026, Wagga Wagga

Author: NRL.com
Timestamp: Thu 13 Nov 2025, 06:01 AM

After making a splash in its inaugural year, NRLW Magic Round returns in 2026 with regional New South Wales rugby league fans set to benefit.

Wagga Wagga will host the 2026 NRLW Magic Round on August 1-2 with all 12 teams playing at Geohex Park in what is set to be a huge economic, sporting and tourism boost for the region.

In 2025, the first NRLW Magic Round weekend was held in Newcastle in August and featured high-quality football despite the torrential rain, providing a tough and entertaining showcase that underlined the scale and promise of what this event can be.

Tamika Upton celebrates scoring one of her three tries in Brisbane's win over the Sharks. ©NRL Images

“Wagga Wagga has a deep and historic connection to rugby league, producing several elite players who have represented at state and national levels," said NRL CEO Andrew Abdo.

“It’s also the largest inland city in New South Wales, a vibrant hub of culture and the arts, not to mention great restaurants, accommodation and wineries, making it an ideal host for the 2026 NRLW Magic Round for players and fans.”

NRLW Magic Round is made possible thanks to a major three-year partnership between the NSW Government and the NRL, showing a shared commitment to driving economic growth in regional communities while promoting greater participation and visibility for women in sport.

Minister for Regional NSW Tara Moriarty said Wagga Wagga was "the perfect stage" for the growing national event.

“I’m thrilled that Wagga Wagga will host next year’s NRLW Magic Round, a celebration of elite women’s rugby league and the communities that support it," Minister Moriarty said.

“I am incredibly proud that the Minns Labor Government has partnered with the NRL to help bring the NRLW Magic Round to regional NSW.

"It’s a fantastic opportunity to showcase our regional communities.

“I look forward to seeing hometown heroes like Newcastle Knights’ Tess Staines and Parramatta Eels’ Rachel Pearson shine over what will be a fantastic weekend in one of NSW's greatest regional centres."

Minister for Regional NSW Tara Moriarty with Parramatta Eels halfback Rachael Pearson and Member for Wagga Wagga Dr Joe McGirr. ©Supplied

Minister for Sport and Tourism, Steve Kamper, added: “NSW is the home of the NRL, and it’s great to see Wagga Wagga host the 2026 NRLW Magic Round, where locals and those travelling from across NSW and beyond will have the opportunity to witness the NRLW’s biggest names.

"This is a big win not just for NSW sports fans, but for our regional business community. By hosting the NRLW Magic Round in our regional centres, we’ll inject millions of extra dollars into local pubs, hotels and restaurants.”

And Minister for Women Jodie Harrison said that "events like the NRLW Magic Round show how our state continues to lead the way in creating a brighter future for women in sport".

HUGE try save to finish NRLW Magic Round

“We’ve seen a tremendous increase in women sport in recent years, and hosting the NRLW Magic Round in a regional town like Wagga Wagga means we are making sure that regional women benefit from this," Minister Harrison said.

“These games will provide regional women and girls opportunities to grow their interest and hopefully inspire them to follow in the footsteps of their sporting heroes.”

Host venue Geohex Park has a crowd capacity of 10,000 and has previously hosted Canberra Raiders NRL Premiership matches, NRLW pre-season games and a Country v City Origin clash.