In their first season back in the NRLW, the One New Zealand Warriors will line up with the other 11 clubs in the competition’s own Magic Round.
The concept has been in place in the NRL since 2019 and today the Australian Rugby League Commission has announced it will be expanded to include the NRLW in 2025.
The inaugural NRLW Magic Round will be played at McDonald Jones Stadium in Newcastle with the six games spread over two days.
Details including the timing of the round and the matchups won’t be revealed until the full NRLW draw is released on Thursday.
Involvement in the Magic Round provides an added lure for players joining the One New Zealand Warriors as the club builds it squad ahead of coming back into the fold as one of two new clubs next year.
The Warriors were one of the four foundation NRLW clubs in 2018 and played in the competition for the first three season before Covid forced them out after 2020.
A three-year agreement with the New South Wales Government will see NRLW Magic Round played in regional locations in New South Wales between 2025-2027.
“Magic Round has been one of the great success stories for the game and it is wonderful to be able to replicate the carnival and fun for the NRLW premiership,” said ARLC chairman Peter V’landys.
“The commission is invested in women’s rugby league and NRLW Magic Round is the next important step in the growth of the game.
“All 12 teams will play across two days in Newcastle, with all the innovation and excitement of Magic Round but now with our best female players.”
The 2026 and 2027 NRLW Magic Rounds would be played in different regional locations.
