Dolphins to play Friday night, excluding Brisbane; Raiders get a bye at Magic Round 2026.
Champions Brisbane have again lost out to arch rivals the Dolphins for top billing at Magic Round as minor premiers Canberra were snubbed for the NRL carnival at Suncorp Stadium.
This masthead has obtained the draw for the seventh edition of Magic Round in 2026 and it can be revealed the Dolphins have ousted premiers Brisbane for the prized Friday night TV timeslot.
Meanwhile, Ricky Stuart's Raiders will not appear at all, with the reigning minor premiers handed a bye for the eight-game extravaganza at Suncorp on the weekend of May 15-17 in round 11.
The Green Machine are the statistical kings of NRL Magic Round, with Canberra boasting an impressive five wins from six games since the birth of the concept in 2019.