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.
The season ultimately peaks with the 2026 NRL Grand Final on Sunday, October 4, at Accor Stadium in Sydney. Currently, Round 21 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 21 to 23 in Irish Standard Time:
| Date | Match | Time (IST) |
|---|---|---|
| Matchday / Round 21 | ||
| Thursday, 23 July 2026 | Parramatta Eels vs. Penrith Panthers | 10:50 AM IST |
| Friday, 24 July 2026 | Newcastle Knights vs. Sydney Roosters | 09:00 AM IST |
| Friday, 24 July 2026 | South Sydney Rabbitohs vs. Melbourne Storm | 11:00 AM IST |
| Saturday, 25 July 2026 | Canberra Raiders vs. Wests Tigers | 06:00 AM IST |
| Saturday, 25 July 2026 | Canterbury Bulldogs vs. New Zealand Warriors | 08:30 AM IST |
| Saturday, 25 July 2026 | North Queensland Cowboys vs. Brisbane Broncos | 10:35 AM IST |
| Sunday, 26 July 2026 | St. George Illawarra Dragons vs. Gold Coast Titans | 05:00 AM IST |
| Sunday, 26 July 2026 | Manly Sea Eagles vs. Cronulla Sharks | 07:05 AM IST |
| Matchday / Round 22 | ||
| Thursday, 30 July 2026 | North Queensland Cowboys vs. Sydney Roosters | 10:50 AM IST |
| Friday, 31 July 2026 | St. George Illawarra Dragons vs. Dolphins | 09:00 AM IST |
| Friday, 31 July 2026 | Melbourne Storm vs. Canterbury Bulldogs | 11:00 AM IST |
| Saturday, 1 August 2026 | Gold Coast Titans vs. New Zealand Warriors | 06:00 AM IST |
| Saturday, 1 August 2026 | Penrith Panthers vs. Canberra Raiders | 08:30 AM IST |
| Saturday, 1 August 2026 | Brisbane Broncos vs. Newcastle Knights | 10:35 AM IST |
| Sunday, 2 August 2026 | Cronulla Sharks vs. South Sydney Rabbitohs | 05:00 AM IST |
| Sunday, 2 August 2026 | Wests Tigers vs. Parramatta Eels | 07:05 AM IST |
| Matchday / Round 23 | ||
| Thursday, 6 August 2026 | Gold Coast Titans vs. North Queensland Cowboys | 10:50 AM IST |
| Friday, 7 August 2026 | New Zealand Warriors vs. Penrith Panthers | 09:00 AM IST |
| Friday, 7 August 2026 | Sydney Roosters vs. Canterbury Bulldogs | 11:00 AM IST |
| Saturday, 8 August 2026 | Melbourne Storm vs. Manly Sea Eagles | 06:00 AM IST |
| Saturday, 8 August 2026 | Dolphins vs. Brisbane Broncos | 08:30 AM IST |
| Saturday, 8 August 2026 | South Sydney Rabbitohs vs. Wests Tigers | 10:35 AM IST |
| Sunday, 9 August 2026 | Canberra Raiders vs. Newcastle Knights | 05:00 AM IST |
| Sunday, 9 August 2026 | St. George Illawarra Dragons vs. Cronulla Sharks | 07:05 AM IST |
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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