Thursday Night Football has become a staple in the NRL in recent years, replacing the much maligned Monday Night Football.
However, despite a full round of fixtures after bye rounds in recent weeks, there is still no Thursday night football in round 20, even though the stakes are getting higher as the finals approaches.
The Sporting News explains why there is no NRL being played on Thursday.
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Why is there no NRL Thursday night football tonight?
There is a very good reason there is no Thursday night NRL action in round 20, and this is because the NRLW season begins tonight.
Like many women's sports in recent years, women's rugby league and the NRLW competition is getting the increased visibility it deserves, and this has been underlined by the opening game between defending champions Newcastle Knights and the Sydney Roosters will be shown exclusively without any competition from the men's competition.
In another fantastic initiative, it is also being shown on free-to-air TV on Channel Nine and via streaming on 9Now.
NRLW schedule round one
Following the opening match of the NRLW season, there will be games on both Saturday and Sunday.
Two will be doubleheaders, with the Broncos vs. Eels match on Saturday and Dragons vs. Titans clash on Sunday taking place before NRL matches.
| Date | Match | Time (AEST) | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thurs. July 25 | Knights vs. Roosters | 7.45pm | McDonald Jones Stadium |
| Sat. July 27 | Sharks vs. Cowboys | 11.00am | PointsBet Stadium |
| Sat. July 27 | Broncos vs. Eels | 12.45pm | Suncorp Stadium |
| Sun. July 28 | Dragons vs. Titans | 12.00pm | WIN Stadium |
| Sun. July 28 | Tigers vs. Raiders | 1.45pm | Campbelltown Sports Stadium |
NRL schedule this week
| Date | Match | Time (AEST) | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fri. July 26 | New Zealand Warriors vs. Wests Tigers | 6.00pm | Go Media Stadium |
| Fri. July 26 | Parramatta Eels vs. Melbourne Storm | 8.00pm | CommBank Stadium |
| Sat. July 27 | Brisbane Broncos vs. Canterbury Bulldogs | 3.00pm | Suncorp Stadium |
| Sat. July 27 | North Queensland Cowboys vs. Cronulla Sharks | 5.30pm | Queensland Country Bank Stadium |
| Sat. July 27 | Sydney Roosters vs. Manly Sea Eagles | 7.35pm | Allianz Stadium |
| Sun. July 28 | St George Illawarra Dragons vs. Penrith Panthers | 2.00pm | WIN Stadium |
| Sun. July 28 | Dolphins vs. Gold Coast Titans | 4.05pm | Suncorp Stadium |
| Sun. July 28 | Canberra Raiders vs. South Sydney Rabbitohs | 6.15pm | GIO Stadium |
| BYE | Newcastle Knights |
