There's nothing better than putting your feet up after a tough week at work and tuning in to a Friday night NRL blockbuster.
From Suncorp Stadium to GIO Stadium and AAMI Park, the stars come out to play under the Friday night lights.
marvelbet365.com takes a look at five Friday night classics to circle in the calendar for 2026.
Friday Night Lights
Round 1, Friday March 6 - Broncos v Panthers at Suncorp Stadium (Nine/Fox) - 8.00pm AEDT, 7.00pm local
One of the most remarkable matches of the 2025 season played out at Suncorp Stadium on September 28 when the Broncos climbed off the canvas to beat the Panthers 16-14 and deny Ivan Cleary's men a shot at a fifth straight title. Adam Reynolds' sideline conversion will always hold a special place in Broncos history and a week later the veteran halfback was savouring a second premiership. The Panthers will be primed for an early tilt at revenge and with so many superstar players on both sides this promises to be an absolute classic to launch the 2026 season.
Broncos v Panthers - Finals Week 3, 2025
Round 2, Friday March 13 - Roosters v Rabbitohs at Allianz Stadium (Nine/Fox) - 8.00pm AEDT
With a rivalry dating back to 1908 and spanning 235 matches, the Roosters and Rabbitohs can lay claim to the longest and most celebrated rivalry in rugby league. Another chapter will be written in the Book of Feuds when they meet at Allianz Stadium in Round 2, with Alex Johnston potentially still chasing Ken Irvine's all-time tryscoring record, inspirational skipper Cameron Murray back for the Bunnies and Daly Cherry-Evans running out in red, white and blue for the second time.
Nawaqanitawase, remember the name
Round 3, Friday March 20 - Storm v Broncos at AAMI Park (Nine/Fox) - 8.00pm AEDT
With the pain of grand final defeat still burning, the Melbourne Storm will get a shot at redemption against the Broncos in Round 3 of the 2026 season. Having turned on one of the great deciders of the modern era in October, the Broncos and Storm square off just three rounds into the 2026 season with another epic contest in the offing. Will Reece Walsh roll into 2026 on the same wave he rode during the finals series and the Ashes whitewash or will the Storm devise a plan to shut him down? The Storm will relish the opportunity to have home ground advantage as they boast a 13-3 record in matches played at AAMI Park.
This Reece Walsh performance will be remembered for a long time
Round 7, Friday April 17 - Raiders v Storm at GIO Stadium (Fox) - 6.00pm AEST
The last time these two sides met it produced one of the moments of the 2025 season when Kaeo Weekes pulled a rabbit out of his hat at Magic Round with a chip-and-chase try for the ages. The Raiders went on to win in golden point, part of a superb 19-5 season that earned them the second minor premiership in club history. This will be the Raiders' third home game of the season following clashes against the Bulldogs in Round 3 and Sharks in Round 4 - a stern examination of their credentials in the opening couple of months for the Green Machine.
Kaeo Weekes' match-defining try in all its glory
Round 12, Friday May 22 - Bulldogs v Storm at Accor Stadium (Nine/Fox) - 8.00pm AEST
The last time the Bulldogs and Storm played at Accor Stadium was back in 2021, when Melbourne won 52-18 to give them a 5-1 record at the venue. Among their other triumphs was the 2012 grand final when the Big Three of Smith, Slater and Cronk led the Storm to victory. All of which makes pleasant reading for Storm fans but the Bulldogs circa 2026 are sure to prove a tough nut to crack in front of their loyal army of fans. Ahead of their qualifying final clash in September, Bulldogs playmaker Lachlan Galvin admitted to being a big fan of Storm supremo Cameron Munster, who showed the youngster a trick or two in Melbourne's 26-18 win. Their battle will be one many intriguing storylines in this blockbuster.
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