NRL 2025 fixture analysis: Newcastle Knights
The Newcastle Knights snuck into the finals again in 2024, and have the fixture list to repeat the dose in 2025 if they are good enough.
of those will be against a likely decimated Penrith Panthers, and the other against the Sydney Roosters who could be in for a difficult 2025 season.
Newcastle will have the bye before Origin 3 in a boost, but it’s their only bye of the Origin period.
They clash with the Dragons after Game 1, the Dolphins after Game 2, and the
The run home
A much tougher run home awaits the Knights than the start to the season.
After a bye in Round 22, they clash with four-time defending premiers the Panthers, then head to Townsville to play the Cowboys.
After that, they are home to play the Broncos, before doubling up on trips to Sydney to close the season against the Sharks and Eels.
Toughest stretch
While that close to the season is tough, there is a harder stretch for the Knights. They play the Sharks in Round 7 at home, then have five days to get to Christchurch to play the Warriors.
After that, they return to play Wayne Bennett’s Rabbitohs during Magic Round. If they start the season strongly – as they need to do – maintaining momentum during that period will be critical to their long-term chances.
Easiest stretch
It’s the first three weeks. While rust is always evident at the start of the campaign, it doesn’t get any more straightforward than the Tigers, Dolphins and Titans to start the season.
They need to be at least two from three.
Games to watch
Round 5, vs Canterbury Bulldogs, at Accor Stadium, Sun, Apr 6, 6:15pm
Round 12, vs Penrith Panthers, at Carrington Park, Sat, May 24, 5:30pm
Round 19, vs Melbourne Storm, at McDonald Jones Stadium, Sat, Jul 12, 3pm
Round 23, vs Penrith Panthers, at McDonald Jones Stadium, Fri, Aug 8, 6pm
Round 25, vs Brisbane Broncos, at McDonald Jones Stadium, Sun, Aug 24, 2pm
The must-win games
Round 1, vs Wests Tigers, at Campbelltown Sports Stadium, Fri, Mar 7, 6pm
Round 9, vs South Sydney Rabbitohs, at Suncorp Stadium, Sat, May 3, 3pm
Round 13, vs St George Illawarra Dragons, at Netstratta Jubilee Stadium, Fri, May 30, 8pm
Round 17, vs Canberra Raiders, at McDonald Jones Stadium, Fri, Jun 27, 8pm
Round 27, vs Parramatta Eels, at CommBank Stadium, Sun, Sep 7, 4:05pmStorm after Game 3.
Kalyn Ponga is likely to be the only Origin player for the club however.
Full fixtures
Round Opponent Date Time (AEDT) Venue
1 Wests Tigers Fri, Mar 7 6:00 pm Campbelltown Sports Stadium
2 Dolphins Thu, Mar 13 8:00 pm McDonald Jones Stadium
3 Titans Sat, Mar 22 7:35 pm Cbus Super Stadium
4 Bye
5 Bulldogs Sun, Apr 6 6:15 pm Accor Stadium
6 Wests Tigers Sun, Apr 13 4:05 pm McDonald Jones Stadium
7 Sharks Sun, Apr 20 4:05 pm McDonald Jones Stadium
8 Warriors Fri, Apr 25 6:05 pm Apollo Projects Stadium
9 Rabbitohs Sat, May 3 3:00 pm Suncorp Stadium
10 Titans Fri, May 9 6:00 pm McDonald Jones Stadium
11 Eels Fri, May 16 6:00 pm McDonald Jones Stadium
12 Panthers Sat, May 24 5:30 pm Carrington Park
13 Dragons Fri, May 30 8:00 pm Netstrata Jubilee Stadium
14 Sea Eagles Thu, Jun 5 7:50 pm McDonald Jones Stadium
15 Roosters Sat, Jun 14 5:30 pm McDonald Jones Stadium
16 Dolphins Sat, Jun 21 5:30 pm HBF Park
17 Raiders Fri, Jun 27 8:00 pm McDonald Jones Stadium
18 Bye
19 Storm Sat, Jul 12 3:00 pm McDonald Jones Stadium
20 Warriors Sun, Jul 20 4:05 pm McDonald Jones Stadium
21 Raiders Sun, Jul 27 2:00 pm GIO Stadium
22 Bye
23 Panthers Fri, Aug 8 6:00 pm McDonald Jones Stadium
24 Cowboys Sun, Aug 17 4:05 pm Queensland Country Bank Stadium
25 Broncos Sun, Aug 24 2:00 pm McDonald Jones Stadium
26 Sharks Sun, Aug 31 2:00 pm Sharks Stadium
27 Eels Sun, Sep 7 4:05 pm CommBank Stadium
