How to watch Bulldogs vs Dragons live Las Vegas Opening Round 2026
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The Canterbury Bulldogs face the St George Illawarra Dragons on Saturday, March 1, 2026, at Allegiant Stadium as part of the National Rugby League’s Las Vegas Opening Round.
This fixture is one of the headline matches launching the 2026 NRL season and is again being staged in the United States as part of the league’s international expansion strategy.
Despite taking place in Las Vegas, the game is an official NRL premiership fixture and counts toward the regular-season ladder. The Bulldogs enter the year looking to build on a strong 2025 campaign that saw them finish third, while the Dragons are aiming to re-establish themselves as finals contenders with a significantly reshaped squad.
Kick-off is scheduled for 8:30 PM PT on Saturday, February 28 in Las Vegas.
Where to watch Bulldogs vs Dragons – streaming options by country
Below is an overview of official broadcasters showing the Bulldogs vs Dragons match in different countries.
| Country | Broadcaster | Price |
| United States | FOX Sports/ fuboTV | FOX Sports included in cable ($65.00–$100.00/month); fuboTV from $79.99/month |
| Australia | 9Now | Free or from AU$25.00/month |
| Australia | NRL/Foxtel | From AU$58.00/month |
| Canada | NRL | From $19.00/month |
| New Zealand | Sky Sport Now | From NZ$29.99/month |
| United Kingdom | NRL | From £15.00/month |
How to watch Bulldogs vs Dragons for free
The Bulldogs vs Dragons match is available to stream for free on 9Now in Australia. However, the platform is geo-restricted, and without a VPN, attempting to access the stream outside Australia will usually show an error. To watch the match for free from another country, you’ll need a VPN with Australian servers.
- Choose a reliable VPN. We recommend NordVPN for streaming live sports.
- Download and install the VPN app on your device.
- Open the app and connect to a server in Australia.
- Go to the 9Now website or open the app.
- Find the live Bulldogs vs Dragons broadcast and start watching.
How to watch Bulldogs vs Dragons in the United States
In the United States, the match will be broadcast live on FOX Sports 1, which is widely available through cable providers and live TV streaming services such as fuboTV and Hulu + Live TV.
The Las Vegas location makes this one of the most accessible NRL matches for American audiences this season, with the game kicking off at 7:30 PM PT and 10:30 PM ET. FOX Sports coverage includes full pre-match analysis and commentary.
This fixture is part of the NRL’s ongoing effort to grow its presence in the US and attract a larger international audience.
How to watch Bulldogs vs Dragons in Australia
Australian viewers have multiple options. The match will be shown live and free on Channel 9 and streamed via 9Now, making it accessible without a paid subscription.
Paid coverage is also available on Fox League and Kayo Sports, which provide full NRL season coverage, including every match live and on demand. Kick-off is at 2:30 PM AEDT on March 2, making it an afternoon broadcast for Australian fans.
How to watch Bulldogs vs Dragons in Canada
In Canada, the match will be available through Watch NRL, the league’s official international streaming service.
Watch NRL provides live streams and replays of every regular-season match, including the Las Vegas Opening Round. Kick-off is at 10:30 PM ET on March 1. This is currently the primary official option for Canadian viewers who want full NRL access.
How to watch Bulldogs vs Dragons in New Zealand
New Zealand viewers can also watch the match via Watch NRL, which offers live and on-demand coverage of all NRL fixtures. The game starts at 4:30 PM NZDT on March 2, making it an afternoon event locally.
Some NRL matches are shown on local broadcasters during the season, but Watch NRL guarantees full coverage regardless of local TV schedules.
Why the NRL season starts in Las Vegas
The NRL began hosting opening-round matches in Las Vegas to expand its global reach and attract new audiences, particularly in the United States.
By staging official premiership games at Allegiant Stadium, the league increases international broadcast exposure while maintaining competitive integrity, as these matches count fully toward the season standings.
The Las Vegas fixtures have quickly become some of the most-watched NRL regular-season games globally due to their unique location and strong international interest.
Team news and expected lineups
There have been significant roster changes ahead of the 2026 season. The Bulldogs enter the year with strong continuity from their 2025 campaign. A major update is the selection of young halfback Lachlan Galvin, who partners with Matt Burton in the halves.
For the Las Vegas round, the NRL has also introduced an extended six-man interchange bench, meaning teams will name larger squads than usual. The Dragons, meanwhile, look very different this season. They have added high-profile recruits Valentine Holmes and Clint Gutherson, while losing Zac Lomax and long-time halfback Ben Hunt. The reshaped spine and outside backs will be key storylines entering this fixture.
Canterbury Bulldogs probable starting lineup: Connor Tracey; Jacob Kiraz, Bronson Xerri, Stephen Crichton (c), Marcelo Montoya; Matt Burton, Lachlan Galvin; Max King, Bailey Hayward, Samuel Hughes; Viliame Kikau, Jacob Preston; Jaeman Salmon.
St George Illawarra Dragons probable starting lineup: Clint Gutherson (c); Christian Tuipulotu, Moses Suli, Valentine Holmes, Setu Tu; Kyle Flanagan, Daniel Atkinson; Emre Guler, Damien Cook, Toby Couchman; Luciano Leilua, Jaydn Su’A; Hamish Stewart.
Prediction
The Bulldogs appear slightly better balanced heading into this fixture, particularly in the forward pack and attacking depth. The Dragons remain competitive but have shown inconsistency against stronger opponents.
The neutral Las Vegas venue adds unpredictability, but based on squad strength and recent form, the Bulldogs have a small advantage.
Prediction: Canterbury Bulldogs 26 – St George Illawarra Dragons 18
