The 2026 New Zealand Warriors season was the 32nd season in the club's history. They competed in the National Rugby League (NRL).
Andrew Webster continued as head coach for a fourth consecutive season. Mitch Barnett and James Fisher-Harris were the co-captains for a second consecutive and final season. In February 2026, Barnett announced he would leave the Warriors once the season concluded. On 20 August, head coach Webster was re-signed until the end of the 2032 season.
The Warriors commenced their NRL season on 6 March against the Sydney Roosters at Go Media Stadium, Auckland. The regular season concluded on 5 September, with the Warriors securing a top two finish. The New Zealand club qualified for the playoffs for the eleventh time, and the third time in four years. The Warriors' season came to a conclusion on 20 September, following successive defeats in the qualifying final against the Dolphins and in the semifinal against the Newcastle Knights.
Squad
Squad changes and contract extensions
These movements happened across the previous season, off-season and preseason. Contract extensions occurred either during the preseason or the 2026 NRL season.
Transfers in Player Previous club Length Leeds Rhinos (Super League) 2028 Tasman / Crusaders (rugby union) 2027 Gold Coast Titans 2028 Newcastle Knights 2028 Redcliffe Dolphins (Queensland Cup) 2028 South Sydney Rabbitohs 2028 Redcliffe Dolphins (Queensland Cup) 2027 Wests Tigers 2026
Transfers out Player New Club Wests Tigers Penrith Panthers Newtown Jets (NSW Cup) South Sydney Rabbitohs Penrith Panthers South Sydney Rabbitohs Penrith Panthers
Contract extensions Player/Coach Length Date announced 2028 2028 2028 2029 2027 2029 2029 2028 2027 2027 2029 2029 2032 2030
Pre-season
The Warriors played against the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles in Napier and the Dolphins in Sydney as their pre-season fixtures. Both matches were part of the fourth edition of the NRL Pre-season Challenge.
Regular season
League table
Results by round
Matches
The league fixtures were released on 14 November 2025.
Finals series
The Warriors qualified for the finals series for the 11th time in their history and third time in four years. On 6 September, the Penrith Panthers defeated the Wests Tigers 38–10 and thereby won the minor premiership, with the Warriors finishing in 2nd place. The Warriors' opponents for the qualifying final the following week were confirmed as the Dolphins, who placed 3rd in the regular season.
Statistics
Appearances, tries, and points PlayerAppearancesTriesGoalsField goals Points 171004 10340092 152008 2660024 10000 2530012 2330012 1541018 30000 21100040 31015 22822177 222008 131004 20160064 2580032 10000 2260024 1360024 426020 16120048 91004 17515050 10000 200000 30000 23731090 1021010 221004 2220008030 players used — 1301162754
Goal kickers (top 5) RankPlayerGoals140 / 5375.5231 / 3783.8322 / 3268.8415 / 2075.056 / 87561 / 11001 / 1100 -->
Top tacklers (within the top 50 players in the NRL) RankPlayerTackles177627353699 4693
End of season awards New Zealand Warriors awards + One New Zealand Warriors 2026 awards Award Winner Jersey Flegg Cup Emerging Player of the Year Jersey Flegg Cup Team Man of the Year Jersey Flegg Cup Player of the Year New South Wales Cup Team Man of the Year New South Wales Cup Players’ Player of the Year New South Wales Cup Player of the Year One New Zealand NRL People's Choice One New Zealand NRL Rookie of the Year NRL Clubman of the Year NRL Players’ Player of the Year Simon Mannering Medal
Dally M Awards + 2026 Dally M Awards Award Player/Coach Outcome Captain of the Year Award Winner Coach of the Year Award Winner Tackle of the Year Award Winner Hooker of the Year Award Winner Prop of the Year Award Winner Lock of the Year Award Winner
See also List of New Zealand Warriors seasons New Zealand Warriors Women
References
External links Website for the New Zealand Warriors