The magic of Magic Round lights up Suncorp Stadium again in 2025 as 16 clubs converge on Brisbane for a festival of football like no other.
Since its inception in 2019, Magic Round has become a highlight of the NRL season and 2025 will be no exception as every game in Round 9 is played at the home of Queensland rugby league.
After sitting out Magic Round last year, the Dragons are back to take on Wests Tigers in an intriguing Saturday afternoon showdown that will be followed by a showstopper between defending champions Penrith and their 2023 grand final opponents Brisbane.
From the opening whistle on Friday when Sharks coach Craig Fitzgibbon squares off against his former NSW and Kangaroos teammate Jason Ryles, right through to Sunday night's Storm-Raiders showdown between old Raiders buddies Craig Bellamy and Ricky Stuart, Magic Round offers as much intrigue off the field as on.
Magic Round 2025
Friday May 2 - Sharks v Eels at Suncorp Stadium (Fox) - 6.00pm
The Sharks prevailed in a thriller over the Roosters at last season’s Magic Round and they’ll be out to replicate the performance when they kick off the 2025 edition of the rugby league festival at Suncorp Stadium. Cronulla’s clash with the Eels will pit two former NSW and Australian teammates against each other in the coaching box, with Criag Fitzgibbon to take on fellow Illawarra product Jason Ryles. The rookie coach is determined to start his debut season with the Eels with a bang and there’s no better place than Magic Round to make a statement.
Sione Katoa's 2024 try-scoring season
Friday May 2 - Roosters v Dolphins at Suncorp Stadium (Nine/Fox) – 8.00pm
The Dolphins are undefeated at Magic Round in their first two seasons in the NRL and they’ll be out to make it three in a row when they take on the Roosters in a prime-time showdown on the opening night of the weekend. The Roosters fell to Cronulla in the match of the round last season and a new look squad will look to finish on the other side of the ledger in 2025. Trent Robinson’s men have scored at least 30 points in four of their five Magic Round appearances, so expect an entertaining, high scoring affair.
Sitili Tupouniua grabs two in Perth
Saturday May 3 - Rabbitohs v Knights at Suncorp Stadium (Fox) - 3.00pm
New Bunnies coach Wayne Bennett will hope to have his side humming by the time they meet Newcastle, where he spent three seasons between 2012-14. These sides clashed just once in 2024, the Knights putting the cleaners through Souths 36-16 in Round 25 as the men from Redfern faded out of finals contention. The Rabbitohs went down to the Cowboys at Magic Round in 2024 but two years ago they were flying high, rolling the Storm 28-12 to sit pretty in second spot after 10 rounds. The Knights got the chocolates over the Titans in a Saturday thriller at Magic Round 2024, with fullback David Armstrong bagging a hat-trick and clocking up 264 running metres in just his fourth NRL game.
Rabbitohs v Knights – Round 25, 2024
Saturday May 3 - Warriors v Cowboys at Suncorp Stadium (Fox) - 5.30pm
The Warriors will have fond memories of their last trip to Magic Round, when exciting fullback Taine Tuaupiki's late try and sideline conversion gave them a win over the Panthers - one of only six teams to beat the Panthers in 2024. The Cowboys also tasted success at Magic Round, taking care of Souths to the tune of 28-22. A physical forward battle is guaranteed here with James Fisher-Harris and Mitch Barnett squaring off against Jason Taumalolo and Reuben Cotter.
All Tries – Cowboys v Warriors
Saturday May 3 - Wests Tigers v Dragons at Suncorp Stadium (Nine/Fox) - 7.45pm
With Wests Tigers desperate to avoid a fourth straight wooden spoon and the Dragons looking to end a six-year finals drought, the two joint venture outfits will have plenty of scrutiny on them throughout the 2025 season. Long-suffering fans at both clubs will enter the new year full of hope, with the Tigers making a number of astute signings and the Dragons adding plenty of experience to their squad. This looms as one of the most intriguing matches of the weekend and there should be plenty of tries on offer for the huge Suncorp crowd. The Dragons and Tigers met at Magic Round in 2023, with Jahream Bula starring in an 18-16 Tigers victory.
Sunday May 4 - Titans v Bulldogs at Suncorp Stadium (Fox) - 1.45pm
On the back of last season's stunning charge to the finals the Bulldogs will enter the season with expectations as high as any point in the past decade. In the Titans they confront a dangerous opponent capable of running riot out wide through Keano Kini, Alofiana Khan-Pereira, Jojo Fifita and Jayden Campbell. Both sides will appreciate playing an afternoon game on a fast track and the entertainment value should be off the charts for the fans at the ground and those tuning in on Fox Sports.
AKP in the tries
Sunday May 4 - Panthers v Broncos at Suncorp Stadium (Nine/Fox) - 4.05pm
The defending premiers suffered a shock defeat to the Warriors at Magic Round in 2024 but there will be no complacency as they take on a star-studded Broncos line up bolstered by a rabid Brisbane crowd in a Sunday afternoon showdown. Jock Madden was the unlikely hero for the Broncos last season, kicking a 75th minute field goal to sink the Sea Eagles and the side will need to deliver in the big moments to defeat Penrith next year.
Sunia Turuva's 2024 try-scoring season
Sunday May 4 - Storm v Raiders at Suncorp Stadium (Fox) - 6.25pm
Magic Round's final act sees two close friends face off, with former teammates Craig Bellamy and Ricky Stuart lining up as opposing coaches. Melbourne put Parramatta to the sword last season, running rampant in a 48-16 win, while Canberra stunned the Bulldogs in the opening game of the 2024 edition. Stuart typically gets his side up for Magic Round, the Raiders’ only loss coming in 2019, however Melbourne will pose a unique challenge next season.
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