Hostplus Cup draw released for 2025

Norths Devils will begin their quest for a fourth premiership in five years when the Hostplus Cup heavyweights meet the Redcliffe Dolphins in Round 1 of the 2025 season.

The opening round clash at Bishop Park is set to be a spicy affair, with the Dolphins out to atone for their grand final loss to the high-flying Devils.

The match will also mark the start of a new era for the Dolphins, who will be guided by Eric Smith for the first time following Ben Te’o’s move to the Brisbane Broncos.

Both Norths and Redcliffe are also aligned to the The Dolphins NRL team, adding another layer of intrigue to their first meeting since their epic grand final tussle at Kayo Stadium.

Norths followed up that performance with a memorable win over the Newtown Jets to claim their first ever NRL State Championship.

Rohan Smith returns to the Devils for a second stint at the Bishop Park club after two seasons coaching the Leeds Rhinos in England.

The clash between the Devils and Dolphins headlines seven Hostplus Cup Round 1 games across the weekend of March 8-9.

Ipswich Jets kick off their campaign at home in their annual Defence Force Appreciation Day match against the Townsville Blackhawks, while last season’s minor premiers the Northern Pride meet the Brisbane Tigers.

After storming into last year’s preliminary finals, the PNG Hunters will look to carry that momentum into their opening round clash against the Mackay Cutters.

Burleigh Bears, who last month unveiled former Penrith Panthers premiership-winning utility Tyrone Peachey as a key signing for 2025, will play the Central Queensland Capras in Round 1.

The Capras are coming off a strong 2024 season, having featured in week two of the finals.

Tweed Seagulls and Souths Logan Magpies are both eager to make a return to finals football after missing last year’s playoffs.

Tweed meets Wynnum Manly in Round 1, while the Magpies have drawn the Western Clydesdales.

Each club will play 20 games across 23 rounds.

Country Week – presented by Ford and supported by the Queensland Government – is locked in for the weekend of July 26-27.

The sparks will also fly early in the season, with clubs ready to battle out XXXX Rivalry Round in the third week of competition.

Round 21 puts the spotlight on the immense contribution of licenced clubs and their endless support of grassroots rugby league thanks to the backing of Leagues Clubs Australia (LCA).

Week 1 of the 2025 finals series will be played across the weekend of September 6-7, with all roads leading to the grand final on the final Saturday of that month.

“We have so much to be excited about in 2025,” QRL competitions manager Dave Maiden said today.

“There are rivalry derbies and blockbuster match ups everywhere you look, particularly in the opening rounds.

“Every week we witness how much this competition means to our clubs and the many communities across Queensland, just by the pure effort alone that our players, coaches and support staff put in on the training paddock and on game day.

“We look forward to supporting the journey of those with NRL aspirations, while also watching the most consistent teams lock horns in the 2025 finals series.”

The QRL's premier livestreaming platform Qplus.tv is back bigger and better in 2025, with every game live and on demand via Qplus.tv.

Sign up to QPlus.tv today with subscriptions as low as $4.99 per week. Existing annual and monthly subscriptions will be automatically renewed ahead of the 2025 season.

Fox Sports Australia will again broadcast the Hostplus Cup grand final in 2025 with the decider set to be played on Saturday, September 27 at Kayo Stadium. 

Hostplus Cup Round 1

Saturday, March 8:

Ipswich Jets v Townsville Blackhawks @ North Ipswich Reserve, 4pm         
Mackay Cutters v PNG Hunters @ BB Print Stadium, 5pm    
Burleigh Bears v Central Queensland Capras @ UAA Park, 5pm   
Tweed Seagulls v Wynnum Manly Seagulls @ Piggabeen Sports Complex, 5pm
Northern Pride v Brisbane Tigers @ Barlow Park, 5.30pm    
Souths Logan Magpies v Western Clydesdales @ Marsden State High School, 6pm    

Sunday, March 9:

Norths Devils v Redcliffe Dolphins @ Bishop Park, 2.10pm*

*Broadcast from 2pm

For the full draw, Final times and dates TBC.