In 2026, the North Queensland Cowboys will surpass the Warriors in air travel time.
In 2026, the New Zealand Warriors will no longer hold the title for the most air travel time, as the North Queensland Cowboys take over this distinction. The Cowboys' travel demands, primarily driven by their trips to Las Vegas, contribute to their extensive airtime.
The Cowboys face an arduous journey, clocking nearly 40 hours for a round trip from Townsville to Las Vegas, including layovers. This lengthy travel puts them at a notable disadvantage, especially considering they will hit the road for an additional 11 games throughout the season. This includes five matches scheduled in Sydney, one in Canberra, and another in Christchurch, pushing their total travel time over the 100-hour mark.
Meanwhile, the Warriors will embark on 15 trips away from Auckland, hosting Magic Round in Brisbane and organizing home games in Christchurch and Wellington. Their total airtime for the year is just shy of 100 hours.