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Brisbane is set to transform into the heart of rugby league as the 2025 NRL Magic Round descends on Suncorp Stadium. In 2025, May 2- 4 in Brisbane promises a weekend filled with thrilling matchups, roaring crowds, and endless entertainment awaits rugby fans.
The 2025 NRL Magic Round promises thrilling games, unforgettable rivalries, and the electric atmosphere that only Suncorp Stadium can deliver. It’s the ultimate weekend for rugby league lovers.
In This Blog
What's the NRL Magic Round?
Picture this: every NRL team playing across one jam-packed weekend in a single venue. That’s the Magic Round —an event like no other.
The NRL Magic Round is a spectacular concept where every game in a single NRL round is played at one venue over three days. But it’s not all show, Magic Round also serves as Round 9 in the premiership NRL season. So the stakes are high.
History of Magic Round in Brisbane
Since its debut in 2019, Brisbane has embraced the Magic Round, becoming a cornerstone of its rugby league calendar. Brisbane has hosted the Magic Round since its inception, and it’s no surprise why. The city’s love for rugby league, paired with the iconic Suncorp Stadium, makes it the perfect setting for this festival of footy.
Teams Involved in the NRL Magic Round
16 NRL teams participate in the NRL Magic Round Draw in 2025, promising action-packed clashes. Catch all your favourite teams as they battle for supremacy over three exciting days.
NRL Magic Round Draw
From the first whistle on Friday to the final buzzer Sunday, Brisbane’s 2025 Magic Round Draw is set to bring the drama on and off the field.
The jam-packed 8 game schedule across three days never disappoints. Big games, big stakes, and big excitement are guaranteed.
How the Magic Round Draw Works
The magic in the NRL Magic Round is in the art of the draw. And 2025 is set to be a cracker with all your favourite teams hitting the field in a carefully crafted draw.
The Magic Round draw ensures high-profile clashes while balancing teams’ travel and performance requirements. A lot goes into the schedule to ensure its maximum entertainment and maximum energy.
Magic Round 2025 Games Schedule
Games kick off on Friday evening and run through Sunday night, giving NRL fans the perfect excuse to immerse themselves in non-stop rugby action. With double headers and triple headers across the long weekend, there’s always someone to cheer for at Suncorp Stadium.
The big bash weekend will start with a clash between the Cronulla Sharks and Parramatta Eels at 6pm Eastern Standard Time. And will round out on Sunday night with a 6:25pm match up of the Melbourne Storm and Canberra Raiders.
Check out the full schedule to start planning your NRL Magic Round weekend here.
Spotlight on Key Match-ups
In NRL’s 2025 Magic Round, the Dragons are back on the draw to take on the West Tigers in a Saturday afternoon match that’s set to be an intriguing match up. This will be followed by a rematch of the 2023 Grand Final as defending NRL champs Penrith line up a showstopper against the Brisbane Broncos. This bad blood should be one of the best matches of the draw.
Getting Around in the Magic Round
You can tell this city loves their footy – smack bang in the middle of Brisbane, getting to Suncorp Stadium is easy.
Driving To and From the Games
While driving to and from Suncorp Stadium is possible, it’s definitely the trickier option. There are a number of paid car parking options spotted near the stadium, and booking early to score yourself a spot is advised.
If you want to try your luck parking on the street, well… good luck. The council maintains strict parking restrictions with Rangers at the ready to dish out penalties within the Lang Park Traffic Area on event days.
Suncorp Stadium also has Persons with Disability (PWD) Parking, but because these are very limited the stadium runs a lottery as to who will receive these spots. If you’re eligible for PWD parking, pop your name in the lottery here.
Our advice… probably leave the car at home for this event.
Public Transport
Because parking is such a hassle, Brisbane has made life easy by providing numerous free public transport options for events at Suncorp Stadium including the NRL Magic Round. In fact it proudly promotes Suncorp Stadium as a public transport destination.
It’s free to travel on public transport to Suncorp Stadium on all Transport Brisbane bus services and all Queensland Rail City Networks (excluding the Airtrain) – plus all these systems are wheelchair accessible. This free public transport period kicks off four hours before kick-off and ends four hours after the game.
If you’re catching the train in, Milton Station and Roma Street Station are your rail destinations, both within 1km walking from the stadium.
If the train isn’t your best option, free shuttle bus services are also offered taking patrons out to the outskirts of the city that aren’t near railways. Find your closest shuttle bus route here.
Fuel Up Before the Footy
Conveniently (or strategically)located right on Caxton Street, it’s easy to find a feed with your fellow fans right next to Suncorp Stadium.
A stone's throw from Suncorp Stadium, local icon The Caxton Hotel combines history and modern charm. Feeding fans since 1864, it features four impressive bars, including the famed Cauldron Bar, the award-winning Char Grill & Terrace Bar, and the casual Street Café.
Popular with the younger crowd, The Lord Alfred Hotel offers a diverse dining experience. Choose from Alfred's Bar on Caxton, enjoy laid-back vibes at The Quarterdeck, classic meals at The Brasserie, or cocktails with a view at The Verandah Bar upstairs.
If the pub isn’t your vibe, head up the street to The Barracks for unique dining and shopping. Sample Libertine’s French-Vietnamese creations, Uncle Wang’s contemporary Chinese dishes, or enjoy familiar bistro flavours at Tiger Eye Bar.
How to Get Magic Round Tickets
While tickets aren’t on sale yet, when they do go live you better be ready. The best seats in the stadium for every game often go in a flash with patrons buying seats for multiple games to make the most of the NRL Magic Round. Keep your eye on NRL.com to be the first in the know when they go on sale.
Tips for Making the Most of Magic Round 2025
The best thing about Brisbane’s NRL Magic Round is that fans come together from across the nation for the same reason - the love of NRL. Which means big cheers, big fun, and even bigger crowds.
So grab your tickets early, book your accommodation as soon as you can, and prepare for an unforgettable weekend.
Finally, wear comfy shoes and bring sunscreen — unless you want to be confused for a red and white Redcliffe Dolphins fan.
Coming for the NRL Magic Round? Stay at Rambla
Get in before the crowds and book yourself into Rambla for the ultimate Magic Round stay. With multiple short-stay apartment accommodations across the city, you can pick what kind of atmosphere you want to kick on with after the games.
Is it shopping or late-night drinks? Then check-in to Rambla @ Berwick House or Perry House. Looking to be near the picturesque Brisbane cliffs and river? Wake up in Rambla @ Story House. Or wanting to grab the best coffees in town after a big night? Then Rambla @ South/City/SQ has your name all over it.
Book your NRL Magic Round Brisbane Rambla stay directly and save 10% plus receive complimentary parking.
