They won just six games in 2025 on their way to collecting the wooden spoon but a new season brings new hope for the Knights and a chance to build on an impressive Round 1 strike rate when they kick off in Las Vegas.
Since joining the competition in 1988, the Knights have played 37 opening round matches for 24 wins, 12 losses and a draw, giving them a success rate of 64.9 per cent - second only to Round 1 kings the Melbourne Storm (92.6 per cent).
Newcastle launched their 2025 season with a 10-8 victory over Wests Tigers, taking their record to 6-2 in Round 1 games across the past eight years.
Their propensity to get off to a flying start will see Kalyn Ponga and his new running mate Dylan Brown head to Vegas full of confidence for the clash with the Cowboys, who have won just 13 of 29 Round 1 games since their inception in 1995.
Sitting equal with the Knights with a 64.9 per cent Round 1 success rate are defending premiers Brisbane, who opened their 2025 campaign with a dominant 50-14 win over the Roosters at Allianz Stadium.
Cowboys v Knights – Round 24, 2025
That followed a loss to the Roosters in Las Vegas in the opening round of the 2024 season and wins over eventual champions Penrith (13-12) in 2023 and the Rabbitohs (11-4) in 2022.
Michael Maguire's men launch their title defence in 2026 with a Friday night blockbuster against the Panthers in a rematch of the pulsating preliminary final at Suncorp Stadium in September.
The Panthers have won just 24 of 58 opening round matches in their history at 41.4 per cent but they did open 2025 with a 28-22 win over the Sharks in Vegas.
Redemption for Brisbane!
Sitting at the top of the heap when it comes to starting the season fast are the Storm, with 25 wins from 27 games since their inception in 1998.
The Storm's only Round 1 losses came in 2000 against the Warriors and 2001 against the Bulldogs, and they haven't lost a Round 1 game since Craig Bellamy took charge in 2003.
In 2025 the Storm kicked off with a 56-18 flogging of the Eels and in 2026 it's the blue and golds again tasked with trekking to AAMI Park in Round 1 to try and stem the purple tide.
The Storm and Eels also clashed in Round 1 in 2023 with Melbourne squeaking home 16-12 in a golden point thriller to keep the streak alive.
At the opposite end of the scale for Round 1 success are the Warriors, who have won just nine of 29 opening round matches since 1995.
Kicking off their 2026 campaign against the Roosters at Go Media Stadium gives Andrew Webster's men a golden opportunity to lay down a marker for a season they hope will produce a third finals appearance in four years.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
ROUND 1, 2026
Sunday March 1
Bulldogs v Dragons at Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas
Knights v Cowboys at Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas
Thursday March 5
Storm v Eels at AAMI Park
Friday March 6
Warriors v Roosters at Go Media Stadium
Broncos v Panthers at Suncorp Stadium
Saturday March 7
Sharks v Titans at Sharks Stadium
Sea Eagles v Raiders at 4 Pines Park
Sunday March 8
Dolphins v Rabbitohs at Suncorp Stadium
Bye: Wests Tigers
- See the full 2026 NRL Draw HERE
