The new-look NZRL National Premiership will kick off on September 11, with a power-packed doubleheader at Auckland’s Mt Smart Stadium.
In the confirmed premiership schedule, Akarana Falcons take on Wellington Orcas in the early game, with champions Counties Manukau facing Canterbury Bulls in a rematch of last year’s finalists.
All premiership games this season will be televised live on SKY, including the October 1 Grand Final, also at Mt Smart Stadium.
The revamped national competition will see these traditional powerhouses contest the top grade, with Auckland represented by its two NZRL zones, while winners from four qualifying pools will compete for the NZRL National Championship.
Championship winners will play the fourth-placed premiership side for promotion next season.
Full draws for the 2016 NZRL premiership and championship, and regional qualifying competitions are:
NZRL PREMIERSHIP
| Date | Fixture | Venue | Time |
| Sunday, September 11 | Akarana Falcons v Wellington Orcas | Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland | 2pm |
| Sunday, September 11 | Counties Manukau Stingrays v Canterbury Bulls | Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland | 4pm |
| Friday, September 16 | Akarana Falcons v Counties Manukau Stingrays, | Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland | 7.30pm |
| Sunday, September 18 | Canterbury Bulls v Wellington Orcas | AMI Stadium, Christchurch | 4pm |
| Sunday, September 25 | Wellington Orcas v Counties Manukau Stingrays | Wellington Orcas v Counties Manukau Stingrays | 2pm |
| Sunday, September 25 | Canterbury Bulls v Akarana Falcons | AMI Stadium, Christchurch | 4pm |
| Saturday, October 1 | Grand Final (First v Second) | Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland | 8pm |
| Saturday, October 1 | Promotion/Relegation (Fourth v Championship winners) | Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland | 6pm |
NZRL CHAMPIONSHIP
| Date | Fixture |
| Saturday, September 10 | Northern v Central |
| Saturday, September 10 | Southern v Development |
| Saturday, September 17 | Central v Southern |
| Saturday, September 17 | Northern v Development |
| Saturday, September 24 | Development v Central |
| Saturday, September 24 | Development v Central |
REGIONAL QUALIFYING
Northern
| Date | Fixture | Venue | Time |
| Saturday, August 20 | Waikato v Coastline | Paterson Park, Ngaruawahia | 2.30pm |
| Saturday, August 20 | Northland v Bay of Plenty | Trigg Arena, Whangarei | 2pm |
| Saturday, August 27 | Bay of Plenty v Waikato | Puketawhero Park, Rotorua | 2.30pm |
| Saturday, August 27 | Coastline v Northland | Mitchell Park, Tauranga | 2.30pm |
| Saturday, September 3 | Coastline v Bay of Plenty | Tarawera Park, Kawerau TBC | 2.30pm |
| Saturday, September 3 | Northland v Waikato | Toll Stadium, Whangarei | 2.30pm |
Central
| Date | Fixture | Venue |
| Saturday, August 20 | Manawatu Mustangs v Taranaki Sharks | Fitzherbert Park, Palmerston North |
| Saturday, September 3 | Taranaki Sharks v Manawatu Mustangs | Yarrow Stadium, New Plymouth |
Southern
| Date | Fixture | Venue |
| Saturday, August 20 | Otago Whalers v West Coast Chargers | Dunedin |
| Saturday, August 20 | Southland Rams v Tasman Titans | Invercargill |
| Saturday, August 27 | Tasman Titans v West Coast Chargers | Nelson |
| Saturday, August 27 | Southland Rams v Otago Whalers | Invercargill |
| Saturday, September 3 | West Coast Chargers v Southland Rams | Greymouth |
| Saturday, September 3 | Tasman Titans v Otago Whalers | Tasman Titans v Otago Whalers |
