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 National Rugby League (NRL) 2025 has kicked off, bringing Australia’s premier rugby league action directly to fans worldwide.
This year’s NRL season kicked off with an exciting double-header in Las Vegas on March 1, 2025. We’re now into Week 15 of 27, with the league running through to October 5, spanning 27 weeks of nonstop rugby.
Fans have multiple options to watch NRL in Ireland, they can catch free streams via 9Now and comprehensive coverage via Watch NRL, to premium broadcasts on Sky Sports.
A couple of free methods are also given in the log. However, if you’re planning free streaming of NRL via 9Now or free method, a VPN is a must to bypass geo-blocks and keep your connection private.
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9Now, Australia’s free-to-air broadcaster is streaming 3 weekly NRL matches plus the entire finals series live and completely free.
To watch these NRL games for free from Ireland on 9Now, it’s necessary to use a VPN to bypass the service’s geo-restrictions outside Australia.
Follow the steps 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: Click on Watch now.
Step 12: Enjoy streaming once the game goes live!
Here are the best services to watch the National Rugby League in Ireland.
9Now is an Australian free-to-air service that provides free & live streaming of select NRL matches.
It features 3 free games per week, including Thursday night, the second Friday match, and Sunday afternoon fixtures, along with complete coverage of the Finale series games in 2025.
For fans in Ireland looking to follow NRL action on 9Now, the platform’s geo-restrictions require the use of a VPN to access the live streams. We recommend Surfshark.
Read More: How to Watch 9Now in Ireland
Sky Sports is a major sports broadcaster in the UK and Ireland. It holds the official broadcasting rights for the NRL 2025 season in the region.
The network airs 3 NRL matches per week, along with full coverage of the finals series and the Grand Final.
You can subscribe to Sky Sports for €20/month through a Sky TV bundle, or you can also access all 12 Sky Sports channels in HD on NOW with a Sports Month or Sports Saver Bundle starting from €20/month.
Read More: How to Watch Sky Go in Ireland
Watch NRL is the official international streaming service for rugby league fans outside Australia, delivering every NRL match live and on-demand straight to Ireland with no blackouts.
Watch NRL 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.
No subscription? No problem. Irish fans can stream up to three NRL games weekly for free on 9Now with a VPN, or get full access through Foxtel’s 10-day free trial for new users.
Another way to catch up on the Foxtel games for free is through free apps like Rapid Streamz or SportsFire, or via free sports websites like dlhd.sx OR vipleague.lc/.
Here is a schedule of which games each week are available on each network
| Match | Game Time (Ireland – GMT) | Broadcaster(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Match 1 | Thursday Night (Round 4 onwards) 9:50 AM | Nine, Foxtel |
| Match 2 | Friday evening – 8:00 AM | Foxtel |
| Match 3 | Friday night (Round 4 onwards) – 9:50 AM | Nine, Foxtel |
| Match 4 | Saturday afternoon – 5:00 AM | Foxtel |
| Match 5 | Saturday evening – 7:30 AM | Foxtel |
| Match 6 | Saturday night – 9:35 AM | Foxtel |
| Match 7* | Sunday early – 4:00 AM | Foxtel |
| Match 7/8 | Sunday afternoon – 6:05 AM | Nine, Foxtel |
| Match 8* | Sunday night – 8:10 AM | Foxtel |
You can watch the NRL in Ireland on Sky Sports Arena. The channel is available with Now TV mobile app for Android and iOS devices.
Additionally, you can also install free sports streaming apps like Rapid Streamz or SportsFire and enjoy every NRL game for free on your mobile phone.
However, a VPN like Surfshark is necessary to hide your identity with these free apps.
Follow the steps below to watch the NRL in Ireland:
Step 1: Download the Now TV app from the Play Store, App 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
Date: March 1, 2025 – October 5, 2025.
Venue: Opening games (US), regular season all across Australia, and Grand Final at the SCG, Homebush, Sydney
Broadcasters: Watch NRL(International), Sky Sports (UK & Ireland), 9Now (Australia).
Here is a complete schedule of Week 17 of 27 of the NRL with the Irish Timezone (GMT) and date.
| Date | Matchup | Kick‑off Time (Ireland) |
|---|---|---|
| Thursday, June 26 | Penrith Panthers vs Canterbury Bulldogs | 10:50 AM |
| Friday, June 27 | Manly Sea Eagles vs Wests Tigers | 9:00 AM |
| Friday, June 27 | Newcastle Knights vs Canberra Raiders | 11:00 AM |
| Saturday, June 28 | Brisbane Broncos vs New Zealand Warriors | 6:00 AM |
| Saturday, June 28 | St George Illawarra Dragons vs Parramatta Eels | 8:30 AM |
| Saturday, June 28 | Dolphins vs South Sydney Rabbitohs | 10:50 AM |
| Sunday, June 29 | Melbourne Storm vs Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks | 5:00 AM |
| Sunday, June 29 | Gold Coast Titans vs North Queensland Cowboys | 7:05 AM |
Over the past decade, several teams have left a lasting mark on the NRL. From the Roosters’ consecutive titles to Penrith’s commanding four-year reign, the league has seen its share of dominant champions.
But in 2025, the Panthers’ start has been far from convincing, with five defeats in their first seven games and clear defensive issues following Ciraldo’s departure.
The responsibility now rests on Nathan Cleary to stabilize the team’s performance and maintain their position among the league’s elite. But the real question is, will they regain control and grab their fifth title in 2025?
Here is a list of the past decade’s champions:
2015 – North Queensland Cowboys
2016 – Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks
2017 – Melbourne Storm
2018 – Sydney Roosters
2019 – Sydney Roosters
2020 – Melbourne Storm
2021 – Penrith Panthers
2022 – Penrith Panthers
2023 – Penrith Panthers
2024 – Penrith Panthers
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 Grand Final live?
The NRL Grand Final is broadcast 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 2025 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 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.
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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