NRL regular season

The National Rugby League (NRL) regular season usually begins in the first week of March, finishing in the first weekend of September before the finals series. Generally, there are 204 games played over 27 rounds, with each of the 17 teams playing 24 matches each. Since 2017, the schedule has generally featured one Thursday night game (7:55pm (all times AEDT/AEST)), two Friday games (6:00pm and 7:55pm), three Saturday games (3:00pm, 5:30pm and 7:35pm) and two Sunday games (2:00pm, 4:05pm and/or 6:30pm). In addition to these regularly scheduled games, there are occasionally games at other times, such as Easter Weekend, ANZAC Day and the King's Birthday.

Also in place are TV agreements as to who shows these games. All matches are shown live on Fox League and the Thursday night, Friday night and Sunday afternoon (4:05pm) are simulcast with Channel 9. Channel 9 also show the Good Friday and ANZAC Day games on top of the usual matches.

Each team plays half of their matches at home and half away, playing eight teams just once and eight teams twice. Who each team plays, when and where is mainly determined on club requests as to which matchups attracts the best crowds and television ratings.

The winning team at the end of the regular season is crowned the minor premier, and has received the J. J. Giltinan Shield since 1997.

Matches, as of 2024, are played as follows (all times AEDT/AEST):

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On ANZAC Day, two matches are played:

On Easter Weekend: