The Territory is set to host one of its biggest NRL clashes, with the Dolphins taking on the Penrith Panthers in Darwin for their first official home game as the Territory's NRL team.
The Finocchiaro CLP Government today confirmed the blockbuster match as part of its partnership with the Dolphins, delivering on its commitment to rebuild the economy, restore our lifestyle and bring more national sporting events to the NT.
The Dolphins made a splash in their 2024 Darwin debut, defeating the Parramatta Eels 44-16 at TIO Stadium before a packed and energetic crowd.
Now, they'll return on Friday 17 April 2026 at 7:30pm for a showdown with one of the modern giants of rugby league.
The Penrith Panthers enter 2026 as one of the most dominant teams in recent NRL history, having won four consecutive premierships from 2021-2024 and finishing in the top eight in 2025.
Minister for Major Events and Tourism and Hospitality Marie-Clare Boothby said the announcement reinforces the Territory's growing reputation as a destination for elite sport.
"This will be a cracker of a game for the Territory. We can't wait to see Dolphins and Panthers fans from across Australia filling TIO Stadium next April," Ms Boothby said.
"Landing a team of this calibre is a major win for local fans and a boost for Territory tourism.
"Events of this scale bring visitors, support local jobs and showcase our unique lifestyle to the nation. They inject millions into the visitor economy and give local businesses the confidence to plan and grow."
Ms Boothby said the CLP Government's multi-year agreement with the Dolphins, securing an annual NT home game until 2028, was exactly the kind of strategic planning needed to drive growth.
"Our three-year deal with the Dolphins gives certainty to fans and supports local jobs. We're not maintaining the status quo, we're creating new opportunities and new partnerships during our year of action, certainty and security," she said.
The 2024 Dolphins-Eels match generated more than $5 million in visitor spending and 12,688 visitor nights, with even stronger results expected in 2026.
"This aligns directly with our new Visitor Economy Strategy, which sets the goal to grow visitor spending to $2.2 billion and boost overnight trips to 1.5 million by 2032," Ms Boothby said.
"And April is the perfect time to visit, right before peak season, with Mindil Beach Markets kicking off and the last chance to fish the run-off before the Dry."
Dolphins NRL CEO Terry Reader said the club was thrilled to head back to Darwin for its first NT home game.
"Now that we have the date and our opposition locked in, we can start planning our trip to the magnificent Top End," said Mr Reader.
"We are fully committed to this three-year partnership and the opportunities it provides us to continually engage with the people of the NT.
"The Dolphins were incredibly impressed with the number of supporters we had when we played there last year, and we are determined to grow both our fan base and the game of rugby league in general across the Northern Territory."
The Dolphins-Panthers clash adds to a growing list of national sporting fixtures in 2026, including the expanded betr-sponsored Darwin Triple Crown and three AFL matches across Darwin and Alice Springs.
"It's been a massive week for national sport announcements and keeping the momentum going and delivering on our government's commitment to show Australia and the world that there is nowhere better to live than the Territory." Ms Boothby said.
