3 September 2025
The NZRL Men’s and Women’s National Premierships are back for another huge year, with all the action kicking off this weekend and five weeks of footy leading up to the Grand Finals on Sunday 12 October. Both competitions will feature the best senior players from across Aotearoa, along with the return of classic rivalries and a new competition format for the Men’s Premiership.
The Men’s Premiership sees a new format this year, with Aoraki, Canterbury, Southland, and Wellington joining the competition and the introduction of island-based sections. Section A comprises five North Island teams, while Section B is made up of four South Island teams plus Wellington. The top finishing team from each section will advance to the Grand Final to compete for the national title.
Round 1 this weekend will see the Akarana and Counties rivalry return as they face off at Massey Park, Papakura, the home field for all three Auckland sides this season. Further down the North Island, Bay of Plenty and Waikato will clash at Rotorua’s Puketawhero Park. Down in the South, Aoraki takes on Canterbury in Timaru, while Southland hosts Wellington in Invercargill.
Section A (North Island) Akarana Falcons
Auckland Vulcans
Bay of Plenty Lakers
Counties Manukau Stingrays
Waikato
Section B (South Island)
Aoraki Eels
Canterbury Bulls
Otago Whalers
Southland Rams
Wellington Orcas
The Women’s Premiership is set for another exciting season, with all six teams from the 2024 competition returning to fight for the title. Reigning champions Akarana will look to defend their crown after edging Counties 12-10 in last year’s nail-biting Grand Final.
In Round 1 kicking off this Saturday, Massey Park will host Auckland vs Wellington at 1pm, followed by Akarana taking on Canterbury, the sole South Island team in the Premiership, at 3pm. On Sunday the Counties women travel to FMG Stadium to face Waikato at 4pm, following the Warriors NRLW match against the Brisbane Broncos at 2pm.
Sky Sport National Women’s Premiership
Akarana Falcons
Counties Manukau
Wellington
National Men’s Premiership draw https://www.sporty.co.nz/nzrl/national-competitions-1/national-mens-premiershiphere
Sky Sport National Women’s Premiership draw https://www.sporty.co.nz/nzrl/national-competitions-1/national-womens-premiership-1
Select Men’s and Women’s Premiership games will be broadcast on Sky Sport each week, check the Sky TV Guide here https://tvguide.sky.co.nz/
