The New South Wales Rugby League (NSWRL) will administer several major competitions during the 2026 season. These will include tiered open-age competitions across metropolitan and regional New South Wales, as well as a suite of age-based pathway competitions for both male and female players. Along with the Queensland Rugby League, these competitions form a key part of the pathway into the National Rugby League (NRL) and NRLW.
Tier 1 Open Age Competitions
New South Wales Cup
The New South Wales Cup (named the Knock-On Effect NSW Cup for sponsorship reasons) is the premier men's rugby league competition in New South Wales and the primary open-age reserve-grade competition for NRL clubs based in the state. Nationally, along with the Queensland Cup, it is recognised as a tier-two competition sitting immediately below the NRL and providing a direct pathway for players, coaches and match officials.
Teams Club changes
The 2026 Knock-On Effect NSW Cup will see the Melbourne Storm enter the competition, fielding their own reserves side after ending their previous NRL affiliation arrangements. Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs – Jason Taylor has been appointed as head coach for the 2026 season, replacing Michael Potter. Manly Warringah Sea Eagles – former NRL halfback Brett Kimmorley takes over as head coach for 2026, replacing Guy Williams. North Sydney Bears – Leon Latulipe replaces Tony Barnes as head coach for the 2026 season, with the club also entering a new affiliation agreement with the Perth Bears. Western Suburbs Magpies – Tyrone McCarthy has been appointed as head coach for 2026, replacing Aaron Payne.
CanberraRaiders
Ground: GIO Stadium
City/Suburb: Canberra (Bruce)
Coach: Chris Lewis
Affiliate: Canberra RaidersCanterbury-BankstownBulldogs
Ground: Belmore Sports Ground
City/Suburb: Sydney (Belmore)
Coach: Jason Taylor
Affiliate: Canterbury-Bankstown BulldogsManly WarringahSea Eagles
Ground: 4 Pines Park
City/Suburb: Sydney (Brookvale)
Coach: Brett Kimmorley
Affiliate: Manly Warringah Sea EaglesMelbourneStorm
Ground: AAMI Park
City/Suburb: Melbourne (East Melbourne)
Coach: Mark Russell
Affiliate: Melbourne StormNew ZealandWarriors
Ground: Go Media Stadium
City/Suburb: Auckland (Penrose)
Coach: David Tangata-Toa
Affiliate: New Zealand WarriorsNewcastleKnights
Ground: McDonald Jones Stadium
City/Suburb: Newcastle (Broadmeadow)
Coach: Michael Dobson
Affiliate: Newcastle KnightsNewtownJets
Ground: Henson Park
City/Suburb: Sydney (Marrickville)
Coach: George Ndaira
Affiliate: Cronulla-Sutherland SharksNorth SydneyBears
Ground: North Sydney Oval
City/Suburb: Sydney (North Sydney)
Coach: Leon Latulipe
Affiliate: Perth BearsParramattaEels
Ground: CommBank Stadium
City/Suburb: Sydney (Parramatta)
Coach: Nathan Cayless
Affiliate: Parramatta EelsPenrithPanthers
Ground: Parker Street Reserve
City/Suburb: Sydney (Penrith)
Coach: Ben Harden
Affiliate: Penrith PanthersSouth SydneyRabbitohs
Ground: Redfern Oval
City/Suburb: Sydney (Redfern)
Coach: Wayne Collins
Affiliate: South Sydney RabbitohsSt George IllawarraDragons
Ground: Collegians Sports Stadium
City/Suburb: Wollongong (Figtree)
Coach: Willie Talau
Affiliate: St. George Illawarra DragonsSydneyRoosters
Ground: Wentworth Park
City/Suburb: Sydney (Glebe)
Coach: Brett Morris
Affiliate: Sydney RoostersWestern SuburbsMagpies
Ground: Lidcombe Oval
City/Suburb: Sydney (Lidcombe)
Coach: Tyrone McCarthy
Affiliate: Wests Tigers
Ladder
Ladder progression
Numbers highlighted in green indicate that the team finished the round inside the top 5. Numbers highlighted in blue indicates the team finished first on the ladder in that round. Numbers highlighted in red indicates the team finished last place on the ladder in that round. Underlined numbers indicate that the team had a bye during that round.
PosTeam12345678910111213141516171819202122232425261 Newcastle Knights (R)246682 Sydney Roosters (R)244683 St George Illawarra Dragons (R)246684 North Sydney Bears024685 Penrith Panthers (R)224576 Newtown Jets244667 New Zealand Warriors (R)022468 South Sydney Rabbitohs (R)002469 Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs (R)0246810 Parramatta Eels (R)2445511 Western Suburbs Magpies2222412 Melbourne Storm (R)0024413 Manly Warringah Sea Eagles (R)2244414 Canberra Raiders (R)00000