The North Queensland Toyota Cowboys will begin its 2026 NRL campaign on the road with consecutive away fixtures in Rounds 1 and 2 before finally returning to Queensland Country Bank Stadium to face Queensland rivals the Gold Coast Titans in Round 3.
After kicking off the 2026 season under the bright lights of Las Vegas against the Knights, Todd Payten’s men travel to Leichhardt Oval to face the Wests Tigers in Round 2.
North Queensland has been handed six of 12 home games in Saturday timeslots, including a Round 21 blockbuster XXXX Derby against the arch-rival Brisbane Broncos.
The Cowboys also face the Storm, Dolphins, Panthers, Tigers and Raiders in Saturday fixtures.
The remaining six games at Queensland Country Bank Stadium are split two apiece between Thursday, Friday and Sunday.
Sunday fixtures include the home opener against the Titans and an afternoon clash with the Rabbitohs in Round 12.
The first Friday game of the season is an Anzac Round showdown with the Sharks, which will also be the only Paul Green Medal fixture between the two teams in 2026.
The two Thursday night games fall in Round 7 against Manly and Round 22 against the Roosters.
More than half of North Queensland’s 12 home games are in family-friendly afternoon or early-evening timeslots.
Highlights of the away draw include a visit to Suncorp Stadium to face the Broncos in Round 6, a Magic Round battle with the Roosters and a trip across the ditch to face the Warriors in Christchurch in Round 16.
The Cowboys NRLW side begin their campaign on the road against the Broncos on July 4, before returning home to face the Wests Tigers in Round 2.
Ricky Henry’s side have stand alone home games against the Tigers in Round 2 and Round 7 against the Sharks.
The remaining three home games are huge double headers with the NRL side in Rounds 4, 9 and 10 (Rounds 21, 26 and 27 in the NRL draw).
The double-headers include an all-Queensland showdown on Saturday July 25, with the Cowboys taking on the Titans in NRLW and the Broncos in NRL.
“From a pure football point of view we think this is a nicely balanced draw. We only have one five-day turnaround, we have byes on two of the Origin affected rounds and we have a bye leading into the finals,” Cowboys General Manager of Football Micheal Luck said.
“We travel heavily over the trial period, into Vegas and then to Sydney in Round 2, but that allows us to come home for two huge games at Queensland Country Bank Stadium against our Queensland rivals the Titans, followed by the Storm, which I think is fantastic for our fans here at home who will have waited patiently to see our boys play.
“We are thrilled to be hosting the Sharks on Anzac Round. Townsville is the biggest Garrison City in the country and we always receive great support from all three divisions of the armed forces.
“From an NRLW perspective, three double-headers is a great reward for Ricky Henry and his team on the back of a terrific season in 2025.
“We had some fantastic crowds for our NRLW games in 2025 and I expect those numbers to grow again in 2026.
“Tickets for many of these games will sell fast once on sale. Full season memberships are available now for supporters wanting to make sure they don’t miss out on securing a seat.”
Don’t miss a moment. Full season membership is the only way to guarantee your seat at all 12 home games. Packages starting from $250, with flexible payment plans available.
