Opening Round involves only some clubs

OR-01Catalogue name: Opening Round is a partial round

What it means

If there is an Opening RoundA short extra round before Round 1, played by some clubs only. The 2027 model has none.Read more in the glossary, only some of the eighteen clubs play in it.

Why it exists

Recent seasons opened with a short round in New South Wales and Queensland. The 2027 model has no Opening Round, because none has been announced.

For example

In 2026, ten clubs played in Opening Round and eight started in Round 1.

How strictly it applies

Must-follow The fixture must obey this rule. A separate checker tests the finished fixture afterwards.

Must-follow in seasons with an Opening Round. For 2027 it is shown as "doesn't apply here", not as a pass.

Not applicable to the 2027 model: no Opening Round has been announced.

Where to see it

How the fixture is made shows how this plays out across the season.

How it played out across versions

One cell per release, oldest first. Each shows the verdict that release recorded for this rule; a release with no row for the rule says so.

13 Sep13 Sep 2026Preview 13 September2027 · Generated
Doesn't apply, doesn't apply here
13 Sep13 Sep 2026Preview 14 September (seed 42)2027 · Generated
Doesn't apply, doesn't apply here
14 Sep14 Sep 2026Repeat-qualified (seed 42)2027 · Generated
Doesn't apply, doesn't apply here
14 Sep14 Sep 2026Corrected (seed 43)2027 · Generated
Doesn't apply, doesn't apply here
14 Sep14 Sep 2026Rules release (seed 43)2027 · Generated
Doesn't apply, doesn't apply here
15 Sep15 Sep 2026B009 nominal (seed 43)2027 · Generated
Doesn't apply, doesn't apply here
18 Sep18 Sep 2026B010 nominal (weight 0.10)2027 · Generated
Doesn't apply, doesn't apply here
19 Sep19 Sep 2026B011 nominal2027 · Generated
Doesn't apply, doesn't apply here
30 Sep30 Sep 2026B012 Wednesday opening2027 · Generated
Doesn't apply, doesn't apply here
20252025 season as played2025 · As played
Off, switched off by these settings
no checker yet

For analysts: catalogue text and codes

Rule id: OR-01
Catalogue text: Opening Round is a partial round (not all 18 teams play).
Catalogue type: Hard
Catalogue family: Opening Round and Bye Constraints
Class: hard · The fixture must never break it.
Step: S2 · Step 2: rounds
Recorded status: not_recorded · reason event_not_present · source row not_applicable
Catalogue reason: Recent seasons opened with a partial round in New South Wales and Queensland. The 2027 model has no Opening Round, so this rule does not apply.