The unveiling of the initial lineup for the 2026 NRL season, crafted for the first time using artificial intelligence, has sparked discontent among the supporters of a prominent Sydney team. These fans are voicing their frustration and demanding answers.

Wests Tigers enthusiasts have expressed their dissatisfaction upon learning that their team will be absent from the opening round for the second time in just three years. This announcement follows the Tigers’ start to the 2024 season, where they were also given a bye, leaving them sidelined as the new season’s action kicks off in March.

Wests Tigers devotee Steven Georgallis didn’t hold back, stating, “If that’s the draw, it just shows what the NRL thinks of the Tigers. An absolute debacle from the NRL.”

Adding to the chorus of criticism, The Rugby League Guru, a well-known footy analyst, remarked, “The Tigers getting a bye in round one twice in three years is ridiculous.” He further noted, “Really poor form from the NRL. If I were the Tigers, I’d be outraged.”

Jarome Luai (pictured) and his Wests Tigers teammates will not feature in the opening round of 2026

In 2025, Luai (pictured with utility Adam Doueihi, centre, and winger Sunia Turuva) helped the Tigers avoid the wooden spoon for the first time since 2021

Fans are furious that Doueihi (pictured) and the rest of the team will be left out of the opening round for the second time in three years

‘(The) Tigers getting the bye in round 1 twice in three years is bull****,’ wrote footy expert The Rugby League Guru.

‘Really average form there from the NRL, if I was the Tigers I’d be filthy on that,’ he continued. 

A Tigers fan page has also lashed out. 

‘Chat (GPT), I run a professional sporting competition with 17 teams and I need a draw asap,’ wrote admin officials on The West Tigers Faithful page on X.

The other games in the opening round have set up some grudge matches, including Penrith getting the chance to avenge their preliminary final loss to reigning premiers Brisbane.

The NRL will officially announce the complete 2026 draw on Friday morning, but several parts of the AI-constructed schedule can now be revealed. 

Roosters signing Daly Cherry-Evans has been drawn to face his old club Manly, returning to Brookvale Oval for the first time since his bombshell switch became official.

2025 premiership winner Reece Walsh (pictured) will look to lead the Broncos to a win over the Penrith Panthers when the teams face off in the opening round of 2026 at Suncorp Stadium

Nathan Cleary (pictured) and the Panthers will get a chance to avenge the preliminary final loss to Brisbane that ruined their tilt at a fifth straight grand final win

Jarome Luai (pictured) did not take part in the NRL finals series this year for the first time since 2019 after leaving the Panthers

Melbourne will host Parramatta for the first game on Australian soil, as the Storm begin life after Ryan Papenhuyzen on a Thursday night at AAMI Park.

The Warriors get to start their season at home against the Roosters, where Cherry-Evans is expected to play his first game for the Tricolours.

Defending premiers Brisbane face Penrith on the Friday night at Suncorp Stadium, with a rematch of this year’s epic preliminary final the most anticipated bout of the opening round.

Josh Hannay will then begin his tenure as Gold Coast coach against his old club Cronulla at Shark Park on the Saturday evening, after serving as assistant there for the past five seasons.

Jamal Fogarty will also start life against his former club, Manly’s halfback lining up against Canberra as the Sea Eagles host the Raiders in the Saturday night fixture.

Big-name South Sydney recruit David Fifita will then return to Queensland to close out the round, with the Rabbitohs to face the Dolphins at Suncorp Stadium.

Meanwhile, the NRL has also confirmed NSW will host the men’s State of Origin series opener on May 27.

Game two will be played in Melbourne on June 17, before a potential decider at Suncorp Stadium on July 8 as Queensland bid to defend the shield.

The MCG clash will come 20 years after the Maroons kickstarted their dynasty in Melbourne, with a late win in the decider at Docklands Stadium.

Women’s Origin will kick off in Newcastle on April 30, with no game in Sydney for next year’s series and the interstate competition kicking off earlier in 2026.

Suncorp Stadium will host game two on the eve of Magic Round on May 14, before the series finale on the Gold Coast on May 28.

2026 NRL OPENING ROUND

Saturday February 27 (Sunday February 28 AEDT)

Canterbury v St George Illawarra, Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas

Newcastle v North Queensland, Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas

Thursday March 5

Melbourne v Parramatta, AAMI Park

Friday March 6

Warriors v Sydney Roosters, Go Media Stadium

Brisbane v Penrith, Suncorp Stadium

Saturday March 7

Cronulla v Gold Coast, Shark Stadium

Manly v Canberra, 4Pines Park

Sunday March 8

Dolphins v South Sydney, Suncorp Stadium

STATE OF ORIGIN

Men’s

May 27: Game one, Accor Stadium

June 18: Game two, MCG

July 8: Game three, Suncorp Stadium

Women’s

April 30: Game one, McDonald Jones Stadium

May 14: Game two, Suncorp Stadium

May 28: Game three, Cbus Super Stadium.