Your guide to the NRL Magic Round 2025 at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium

Event details | Suncorp Stadium | Where to eat/drink nearby | Where to stay

When: 1 - 4 May 2025

Tickets: 3 and 4-Day Passes for NRL Magic Round, including Ampol Women’s State of Origin Game I on sale now. Book here.

The blockbuster NRL Magic Round is rolling back into Brisbane in 2025, bringing a stacked showcase of back-to-back games over three action-packed days in May.

There’s nothing more thrilling than soaking up the action at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium and its bustling surrounds, so if you’re gearing up to tackle Magic Round 2025, this go-to guide has everything you need to know, including where to stay, how to get around, top spots to eat and drink, and the best bits of Brisbane to explore while you’re in town.

Marking round 10 of the NRL season, the Magic Round sees 16 NRL teams descend on Brisbane at once, with eight nail-biting games played over three huge days and nights at the world-class Suncorp Stadium.

Held over a long weekend Magic Round is a truly unique opportunity for fans to see their favourite teams go head-to-head with arch-rivals, and experience an entire round of NRL games in one place across a footy-fuelled long weekend.

Friday 2 May 2025

• Sharks v Eels - 6pm
• Roosters v Dolphins - 8pm

Saturday 3 May 2025

• Rabbitohs v Knights - 3pm
• Warriors v Cowboys - 5.30pm
• Wests Tigers v Dragons - 7.45pm

Sunday 4 May 2025

• Titans v Bulldogs - 1.45pm
• Panthers v Broncos - 4.05pm
• Storm v Raiders - 6.25pm

All eyes on Suncorp Stadium

The state-of-the-art Suncorp Stadium is one of Southeast Queensland’s premiere sporting and entertainment facilities, holding 52,500-plus fans.

Steeped in rugby league history, the spectacular Suncorp Stadium has hosted some of the NRL’s most iconic and unforgettable moments. Grand finals have been defiantly won and painfully lost. Rookies have made life-changing debuts. Superstars have triumphed. Legends have been etched into the league’s history books.

You can take it all with a stroll around the exterior of Suncorp Stadium, where you’ll see towering statues immortalising legends like Wally Lewis and Allan Langer, before testing your memory through the State of Origin Walk of Fame.

How to get to Suncorp Stadium

Suncorp Stadium cuts a striking figure in the centre of Milton. It’s fringed by the suburbs of Petrie Terrace and Paddington, so footy fans are right in the middle of the action – which means public transport is the best (and cheapest) way of getting to and from Suncorp Stadium each day and night.

It’s not only easy to get to and from the stadium – it’s free. Your ticket will get you free travel on the Queensland City Rail Network (excluding Airtrain) and all Brisbane bus services – you can easily plan your journey via Translink. Milton and Roma Street are the main train stations near Suncorp Stadium, plus there’s a full timetable of bus services to assist, along with a dedicated stadium shuttle that runs between key locations for major events. You just need to present your game-day ticket to rail or bus staff when you jump aboard.

Where to eat and drink near Suncorp Stadium

If finding great food is almost as important as football, then you’re in luck. Suncorp Stadium’s immediate surrounds are dotted with top-tier restaurants, cafes and pubs so you can easily map every bite and sip – from your morning hit of coffee and pre-game lunches, to where to let your hair down post-game.

You’ll find plenty of buzz along Caxton Street, known for being the hive of activity before and after Suncorp Stadium games. When it comes to dining, there’s a bit of everything along the strip. Grab a quick lunch at Fritzenberger, indulge in a seafood feast at the iconic Gambaro, savour superior steaks at Black Hide Steakhouse, or graze your way through the French-Vietnamese menu at Libertine Restaurant and Bar down at The Barracks (the mini-precinct is home to a handful of delicious dining spots).

Mornings can start a little further along at Paddington’s Given Terrace (home to some of Brisbane’s best brunch spots), where you can kick off with a hearty breakfast and sweets for the road at Paddington Social. Nearby, Darling & Co dishes up elevated pub classics and light meals for lunch, you’ll find stand-out pizzas at Elementi Restaurant, while Hope and Anchor exudes charm with crowd-pleasing eats for breakfast, lunch and dinner, with sips served well into the night.

The popular dining spots of South Bank and West End, including must-do hubs like Fish Lane, are all just a stone’s throw away on the other side of the Brisbane River, just over the Go Between Bridge. Whatever you’re craving, there’s plenty to explore across Brisbane’s bustling restaurant scene if you’re keen to indulge before or after a game.

Got the kids in tow? This list of Brisbane’s kid-friendly cafes will keep the younger footy fans nourished.

Pubs and bars near Suncorp Stadium

Thirsty? You’re in the right place! You can sample local brews at Brewski, try the famed whisky apples at Lefty’s Music Hall, or debrief the game that was with fellow footy fans at well-known watering holes The Caxton Hotel and The Normanby Hotel. Brisbane’s famed XXXX Brewery is perched (very conveniently) right near Suncorp Stadium, so you can book a brewery tour and get schooled while you sip Queensland’s iconic Milton mangoes straight from the source. For craft beer lovers, Newstead Brewing Co is also just a goal-kick away from the stadium – it’s widely touted as one of the best craft breweries near Brisbane.

Cast the net a little further to experience more of Brisbane’s best bars, set your sights on sun-soaked rooftop spots, or hit the gigs at these live music venues.

Where to stay in Brisbane during the Magic Round

Given Suncorp Stadium’s ideal central location, hotels and accommodation options are vast. With plenty of public transport networks to and from the games, and across greater Brisbane, you really can’t go wrong when it comes to selecting a place to rest your head.

Gambaro Hotel is a luxe and highly popular option for those wanting to stay in the midst of the magic – it’s on the list of Brisbane’s best hotels, most of which are well-positioned near the stadium and enjoy expansive views across Brisbane River.

You’ll find an abundance of budget-friendly accommodation options in Brisbane as well, many dotted around the CBD and all easily accessible via public transport, making game-day adventures a breeze.

What to do while you’re in Brisbane

Whether you’re travelling solo, with a group of mates or have the whole family of footy fans together for the NRL Magic Round, aim to set aside some time to see and explore Brisbane. No matter if you’re seeking a culture hit, feasting the senses, or craving a bit of inner-city adventure, there’s no shortage of things to do.

Make an extra-long weekend of it and spend 48 hours exploring the best of Brisbane, including the cultural heart of South Bank (kids will love it there too). Got a few more days up your sleeve? Even better – spend three days in and around Brisbane, and you’ll even get to weave in some island time!

Looking for more ideas on what to while in town? Check out the best 30 things to do in Brisbane.