- Group 3 Rugby League 2026 Schedule & Draw
- Group 3 Rugby League
- The Teams: Who is playing in 2026?
- Group 3 Ladder & Results
- How to Watch: Group 3 Rugby League Live Stream
- North Coast Bulldogs: The Group 3 Talent Pipeline in the 2026 State Finals
- Match Results
- Group 3 Junior Rugby League
- FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions
If you live anywhere between the Manning River and the shores of Port Macquarie, you already know: when the footy season kicks off, the whole region stops. Group 3 Rugby League isn’t just a competition—it’s the lifeblood of towns like Taree, Wingham, Forster and Port Macquarie.
And 2026? It’s shaping up to be an absolute belter. The Old Bar Beach Pirates sailed away with the 2025 crown, but the Port Macquarie Sharks are circling again, desperate to reclaim their territory. Throw in the Wingham Tigers (who treat their home ground like a fortress) and the Taree City Bulls (always ready to charge), and you’ve got a recipe for six months of glorious chaos. Grab your jersey, pack the esky, and let’s get into everything you need to know.
Group 3 Rugby League 2026 Schedule & Draw
We know you’ve been scouring Facebook for the Group 3 draw 2026—so we’ve done the hard work for you. While the official PDF is yet to drop, these are the confirmed dates and round‑one matchups that will set the tone for the season.
Group 3 Rugby League
| Round | Home | Away | Venue | Date | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Round 1 | Wingham Tigers | VS | Port Macquarie Sharks | Wingham Sporting Complex | To be confirmed |
| Round 1 | Taree City Bulls | VS | Old Bar Beach Pirates | Jack Neal Oval, Taree | To be confirmed |
| Round 1 | Forster Tuncurry Hawks | VS | Port City Breakers | Harry Elliott Oval, Forster | To be confirmed |
Key Dates to Circle:
- Season Kick‑off: Saturday 19 April (put it in the calendar before the boss does)
- Grand Final: Saturday 22 August – venue TBC, but you can bet it’ll be packed.
We’ll update this table as soon as the full fixture is released. Bookmark this page if you don’t want to miss a single round.
The Teams: Who is playing in 2026?
Six clubs. Six identities. Every one of them ready to leave it all on the paddock.
Group 3 Ladder & Results
Who’s on top? Who’s already making excuses about the referee? This is where you’ll find the live ladder and weekly results.
📊 Ladder (updated every Sunday night)
Instead of digging through dusty Facebook posts or waiting for the local paper, we do the work for you. Every Sunday night after the final whistle, we’ll update the ladder right here. No delays, no outdated info—just the straight goods on who’s leading the race to September.
How to Watch: Group 3 Rugby League Live Stream
Can’t make it to the ground? No worries. The live stream options for Group 3 are better than ever.
- BarTV Sports: Most games are streamed live through BarTV Sports. It’s the go‑to for armchair coaches who still reckon they could do a better job than the bloke with the clipboard.
- Facebook Live: Several clubs now stream their games directly on their official pages. Follow Port Macquarie Sharks, Old Bar Pirates, and Taree City Bulls on Facebook to catch the action from the comfort of your lounge room.
Pro tip: If you’re watching on your phone at a family barbecue, just pretend you’re checking the weather. No one needs to know you’ve got the game on.
North Coast Bulldogs: The Group 3 Talent Pipeline in the 2026 State Finals
The start of 2026 has been an intense period for players across our region. The North Coast Bulldogs proudly represented the area in the state finals, showcasing the depth of local talent. We highlight the outstanding performances in the Andrew Johns Cup and the Lisa Fiaola Cup, where our young stars fought their way to the semi-finals in March. These results prove that the talent pipeline from clubs like Port Macquarie and Old Bar is stronger than ever.
Match Results
| Competition | Date | Match | Result | Stage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Andrew Johns Cup (U16) | March 21 | Wests Tigers vs. NC Bulldogs | 28 – 14 | Semi‑final |
| Lisa Fiaola Cup (U17 Women’s) | March 22 | NC Bulldogs vs. Northern Tigers | 10 – 36 | Semi‑final |
| Men’s Country Championships | March 7 | Northern Rivers Titans vs. NC Bulldogs | 42 – 14 | Round 1 |
Group 3 Junior Rugby League
The future of Group 3 runs around in the junior grades every Saturday morning—and more than 480 families each week know exactly how special that is.
From the Under 18s (where the next generation of first‑graders cut their teeth) down to the Under 16s, 14s and 12s, every club in Group 3 is built on the backs of these young players. Watching a junior Sharks team take on the young Bulls or Tigers is a reminder that in this region, footy is a family affair. Dust off the folding chairs and get down to your local ground—you’ll see the future before it even arrives.
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions
Old Bar Beach Pirates. They sailed to victory in the 2025 Grand Final, and they’ll be flying the flag as the team to beat in 2026. Can anyone sink the Pirates? That’s the story we’ll all be watching.
Right here! We’ve got the confirmed first‑round matchups above, and we’ll add the full draw as soon as it’s released. Bookmark this page and check back—you won’t need to scroll through weeks of social media posts.
Group 3 covers the Manning and Lower Mid North Coast of New South Wales. The clubs stretch from Port Macquarie in the north, down through Taree, Wingham, Old Bar, and across to the twin towns of Forster‑Tuncurry. It’s a region united by passion, divided by fierce local rivalries.
So there you have it. The 2026 Group 3 season is locked and loaded. Whether you’re a Sharks diehard, a Pirates fan still buzzing from last year’s flag, or just someone who loves a good meat tray raffle at half‑time, this is your one‑stop shop for everything Group 3.
See you at the footy—and don’t forget to check back every Sunday night for the updated ladder.
