Disclosure: We research and test the best streaming options for viewers in Ireland. If you subscribe or purchase through our links, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
The 2026 NRL season officially kicked off with a historic double-header at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on March 1.
Early results have already set the tone, with the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs and Newcastle Knights securing statement wins on American soil.
In addition to the overseas action, the Australian leg begins on March 5, 2026, building momentum toward the fan-favourite Magic Round (May 15–17).
The season ultimately peaks with the 2026 NRL Grand Final on Sunday, October 4, at Accor Stadium in Sydney. Currently, Round 7 of 27 is happening.
You can watch NRL in Ireland for free via 9Now, get full access via Watch NRL, or tune in through premium coverage on Sky Sports.
However, if you plan to stream NRL in Ireland through 9Now, you’ll need a VPN to bypass geo-blocks and access the free coverage securely.
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9Now is an Australian free-to-air service that provides free & live streaming of select NRL matches and a complete coverage of the Finale series games in 2026.
To watch the NRL for free from Ireland on 9Now, it’s necessary to use a VPN to bypass the service’s geo-restrictions outside Australia.
Here’s how to watch the National Rugby League in Ireland for free via 9Now:
Step 1: Subscribe to a safe VPN service (Surfshark is our #1 choice)
Step 2: Download and install the Surfshark VPN App on your device
Step 3: Connect to the Australia server.
Step 4: Visit 9Now and Click on Log in.
Step 5: Enter your email.
Step 6: Set up your account.
Step 7: Enter your information (e.g., email and postcode 2010).
Step 8: Click on Create Account
Step 9: Verify your account.
Step 10: Search for “NRL” and click on “NRL Premiership”
Step 11: Select the live match
Step 12: Enjoy streaming once the game goes live!
Here are the best services to watch the National Rugby League in Ireland.
Sky Sports is a major sports broadcaster in the UK and Ireland. It holds the official broadcasting rights for the NRL 2026 season in the region. The network will also air full coverage of the finals series and the Grand Finale 2026.
You can subscribe to Sky Sports for €37/month, or you can also access all 12 Sky Sports channels in HD on NOW with a Sports Extra plan for €17/mo.
Read More: How to Watch Sky Go in Ireland
Watch NRL is the official international streaming service for rugby league fans outside Australia. Here you can watch NRL matches live and on demand in Ireland with no blackouts.
The platform offers flexible plans: AUD $24/week, AUD $44/month, or AUD $229/year for full access with the option to stream on 2 devices simultaneously without any VPN needed.
Here’s a schedule for NRL 2026 Week 7 to 13 in Irish Standard Time:
| Date | Match | Time (Irish Time) |
|---|---|---|
| Round 7 | ||
| Thu, Apr 16 | NQU vs MAN | 10:50 AM |
| Fri, Apr 17 | CBR vs MBS | 9:00 AM |
| Fri, Apr 17 | DOL vs PEN | 11:00 AM |
| Sat, Apr 18 | WAR vs GCO | 6:00 AM |
| Sat, Apr 18 | SSY vs SGI | 8:30 AM |
| Sat, Apr 18 | WTG vs BRI | 10:35 AM |
| Sun, Apr 19 | SYD vs NEW | 5:00 AM |
| Sun, Apr 19 | PAR vs CBB | 7:05 AM |
| Round 8 | ||
| Thu, Apr 23 | WTG vs CBR | 10:50 AM |
| Fri, Apr 24 | NQU vs CSS | 9:00 AM |
| Fri, Apr 24 | BRI vs CBB | 11:00 AM |
| Sat, Apr 25 | SGI vs SYD | 7:00 AM |
| Sat, Apr 25 | WAR vs DOL | 9:05 AM |
| Sat, Apr 25 | MBS vs SSY | 11:10 AM |
| Sun, Apr 26 | NEW vs PEN | 5:00 AM |
| Sun, Apr 26 | MAN vs PAR | 7:05 AM |
| Round 9 | ||
| Fri, May 1 | CBB vs NQU | 9:00 AM |
| Fri, May 1 | DOL vs MBS | 11:00 AM |
| Sat, May 2 | GCO vs CBR | 6:00 AM |
| Sat, May 2 | PAR vs WAR | 8:30 AM |
| Sat, May 2 | SYD vs BRI | 10:35 AM |
| Sun, May 3 | NEW vs SSY | 5:00 AM |
| Sun, May 3 | CSS vs WTG | 7:05 AM |
| Sun, May 3 | PEN vs MAN | 9:15 AM |
| Round 10 | ||
| Thu, May 7 | DOL vs CBB | 10:50 AM |
| Fri, May 8 | SYD vs GCO | 9:00 AM |
| Fri, May 8 | NQU vs PAR | 11:00 AM |
| Sat, May 9 | SGI vs NEW | 6:00 AM |
| Sat, May 9 | SSY vs CSS | 8:30 AM |
| Sat, May 9 | MAN vs BRI | 10:35 AM |
| Sun, May 10 | MBS vs WTG | 5:00 AM |
| Sun, May 10 | CBR vs PEN | 7:05 AM |
| Round 11 | ||
| Fri, May 15 | CSS vs CBB | 9:00 AM |
| Fri, May 15 | SSY vs DOL | 11:00 AM |
| Sat, May 16 | WTG vs MAN | 6:00 AM |
| Sat, May 16 | SYD vs NQU | 8:30 AM |
| Sat, May 16 | PAR vs MBS | 10:45 AM |
| Sun, May 17 | GCO vs NEW | 5:00 AM |
| Sun, May 17 | WAR vs BRI | 7:05 AM |
| Sun, May 17 | PEN vs SGI | 9:25 AM |
| Round 12 | ||
| Thu, May 21 | CBR vs DOL | 10:50 AM |
| Fri, May 22 | CBB vs MBS | 11:00 AM |
| Sat, May 23 | SGI vs WAR | 8:30 AM |
| Sat, May 23 | MAN vs GCO | 10:35 AM |
| Sun, May 24 | NQU vs SSY | 7:05 AM |
| Round 13 | ||
| Fri, May 29 | CSS vs MAN | 11:00 AM |
| Sat, May 30 | NEW vs PAR | 6:00 AM |
| Sat, May 30 | WTG vs CBB | 8:30 AM |
| Sat, May 30 | MBS vs SYD | 10:35 AM |
| Sun, May 31 | BRI vs SGI | 5:00 AM |
| Sun, May 31 | CBR vs NQU | 7:05 AM |
| Sun, May 31 | PEN vs WAR | 9:15 AM |
You can watch the NRL in Ireland on Sky Sports Action and Sky Sports Main Event. The channel is available with the Now TV mobile app for Android and iOS devices.
Additionally, you can also install free sports streaming apps like Rapid Streamz or SportzX or simply enjoy every NRL game on free sports sites, like viprow.nu/ OR vipleague.pm/ via your phone browser.
However, a VPN like Surfshark is necessary to hide your identity with these free sports streaming apps and websites.
Here’s how to watch the NRL in Ireland via Now TV app:
Step 1: Download the Now TV app from the Play Store or APK
Step 2: Open the app and click on the sidebar
Step 3: Choose Sports Membership
Step 4: Select your plan and click Claim offer
Step 5: Click Checkout
Step 6: Create your account by clicking Continue to checkout or sign in with your existing one
Step 7: Enter your credentials
Step 8: Choose your payment plan and enter your credentials to subscribe. Enjoy streaming!
If you are a sports enthusiast, you can also watch the following sports in Ireland:
1. Does Ireland have a national rugby team?
Yes. The men’s national rugby league team of Ireland, known as the Wolfhounds, is run by Rugby League Ireland and competes internationally.
2. Where can I watch the NRL 2026 live?
The NRL 2026 broadcasts live on 9Now (Free) in Australia, with international streaming via Sky Sports (UK/IRE), SportsNet (Canada), and Fox Sports (US).
3. Can I watch the NRL 2026 for free in Ireland?
You can watch select NRL matches for free in Ireland on 9Now with ads, or Foxtel with a 10-day free trial for new users with Surfshark.
4. What devices can I stream NRL Final on?
Watch NRL works on PCs, tablets, phones, Apple TV, Chromecast, and smart TVs (up to two simultaneous streams). NOW (Sky Sports) is available through mobile apps, consoles, and smart TVs via Sky Go.
Australia’s biggest rugby league stage is set for another season, 2026 NRL kicked off on March 1, with the Knights taking on the Cowboys.
Irish fans can watch the National Rugby League through both free and premium options, including 9Now (Free with VPN), Watch NRL, and Sky Sports.
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