Taking a look over the 2026 NRL betting markets and it is clear that this Rugby League season bookmakers feel there are more teams capable of winning the NRL Premiership than ever.
Brisbane Broncos
The reigning champions the Brisbane Broncos are rightfully one of the betting favourites to take out the 2026 NRL Grand Final. The Broncos bring back nearly every key member of their 2025 NRL Premiership winning squad. While they will suffer a disrupted pre season because of their commitments, they should be even better than they were last season.
Penrith Panthers
The greatest team in Rugby League’s modern era has just had its first full off season in 6 years. They have also lost no key players for the first time over that time period as well. The Panthers started the 2025 season looking worn out, but they finished strong and were only just beaten in last years Preliminary Final by the Brisbane Broncos. Expect them to be very hard to beat again this season.
Melbourne Storm
The Melbourne Storm always seem to be one of the favourites to win the NRL Premiership with betting agencies and 2026 looks no different. While they have lost a Ryan Papenhuyzen the Storm have a very good junior talent scouting program that helps the club replace players they lose. While they don’t seem to have the edge of the teams above, they are always there or there about.
Cronulla Sharks
While the Cronulla Sharks have always fallen short of the top teams come finals time they do have areas they can improve on and look to take that next step to join the teams above them. Expect them to have a strong regular season once again, but its anyones guess as to how they will fare come finals time.
Canterbury Bulldogs
The Bulldogs will get a lot of money backing them to do well in the 2026 NRL season and they should have a strong regular season. However, the way the clubs lineup keeps being interfered with as the clubs general manager treats the club like a fantasy Rugby League team keeps hobbling their chances. If they can avoid this happening again, and get by with a few less injuries than last season, that would be very good for their chances.
Canberra Raiders
While Raiders fans will moan that no on believes in them their disastrous 2025 NRL Finals campaign is all you need to look at. Two straight losses at home saw the club bundled out of the finals and yet they will be bullish about their chances once again this season, right up until the moment they fall short again.
