Everything you need to know about the rescheduled NRL campaign

Drew Darbyshire 30 Apr 2020 3:30 PM

The NRL has rescheduled the rest of the 2020 season due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The campaign was suspended on March 23 after the first two rounds of the competition – but the governing body has announced a return date of May 28.

The revamped fixture draw is not been finalised yet but matches will return on May 28, with 20 rounds being played in total. Two of the games were played before the competition was suspended, while the final 18 rounds will take place over consecutive weekends.

By the end of the season, each team will have played each other once with five additional matches. The competition draw is expected to be complete within the next two weeks.

The first week of the NRL finals will kick off on October 2, with the Grand Final being staged in Sydney on October 25.

Due to clashes with the World Twenty20, the Grand Final may be switched from its original venue – the Sydney Cricket Ground – depending on whether the cricket tournament is postponed or cancelled.

Bankwest Stadium is being considered as a possible venue for hosting it, with Allianz Stadium and ANZ Stadium undergoing reconstruction work.

All games will be played behind closed doors until further notice – and the State of Origin series will be played at the end of the season after the Grand Final.

The International Rugby League is hopeful of playing tests in 2020 but is waiting on the status of international travel restrictions before finalising if and when games will be played.

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