How to Watch National Rugby League in Ireland For Free [2026]

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.

Recommended VPN  - Surfshark

Your ISP, the Irish Government, and streaming platforms are Monitoring your Online Activity.

This means International Content staying Geo-blocked, Buffering, and even your entire Private Data can be Exposed to Third parties & Hackers.

Don’t take the risks…

Stay private, secure, & stream anything with Surfshark VPN for just $0.06/day!

With Surfshark You Can Get:
✅ 87% OFF + 3 EXTRA MONTHS FREE! (€1.99 /mo.)
✅ Access geo-blocked content worldwide.
✅ Unlimited connections 
✅ 30-day risk-free money-back guarantee
✅ Kill Switch to protect you if the VPN drops
✅ Verified No-logs policy
✅ Everlink technology which helps you stay connected even when server drops

Try Surfshark VPN

When & Where Is National Rugby League Happening?

• Date: March 1 to October 4,  2026
• Venue: Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, US
• Broadcasters: Watch NRL(International), Sky Sports (UK & Ireland), 9Now (Australia)

How to Watch National Rugby League in Ireland For Free

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!

Try Surfshark VPN

Other Ways to Watch National Rugby League in Ireland

Here are the best services to watch the National Rugby League in Ireland.

1. Sky Sports (Premium)

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

2. Watch NRL (Premium)

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.

National Rugby League 2026 Schedule

Here’s a schedule for NRL 2026 Week 7 to 13 in Irish Standard Time:

How to Watch NRL in Ireland on a Mobile Phone

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!

Other Sports to Watch in Ireland

If you are a sports enthusiast, you can also watch the following sports in Ireland:

• Watch UFC in Ireland
• Watch NHL in Ireland
• Watch French Ligue 1 in Ireland
• Watch CFL in Ireland
• Watch Major Soccer League in Ireland
• Watch WNBA in Ireland
• Watch Liga MX in Ireland

FAQs – NRL 2026

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.

Conclusion

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.