The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs and New Zealand Warriors have been locking horns in the NRL Telstra Premiership since 1995, and fans of both sides never need an excuse to rekindle this trans-Tasman rivalry. Whether it’s a crunch finals match or a regular-season arm-wrestle, these two sides have produced some of the competition’s most competitive encounters.

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Head-to-Head Games Played: 42 · Bulldogs Wins: 21 · Warriors Wins: 19 · Next Match: Round 23, 2025 · Upcoming Fixture: Round 21, 2026

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Exact date for 2026 NRLW Round 1 fixture
  • Jersey Flegg 2026 R21 kickoff time
  • 2026 match outcome (scheduled for July 25, 2026)
3Timeline signal
4What’s next
  • 2026 NRL Round 21 clash at Accor Stadium
  • NRLW and Jersey Flegg counterparts also scheduled
  • Warriors Women vs Bulldogs Women in 2026 R1

The official NRL head-to-head statistics confirm a tight rivalry between these two trans-Tasman NRL clubs.

Field Value
League NRL Premiership
Teams Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs vs New Zealand Warriors
Games Played 42
Bulldogs Wins 21
Warriors Wins 19
Next Game 25 Jul 2026, Accor Stadium

Who won, the Warriors or the Bulldogs?

The most recent encounter between these two sides saw the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs claim a decisive 32-14 victory over the New Zealand Warriors at Accor Stadium on August 9, 2025. Five-eighth Karl Olomo scored twice while Viliame Kikau, Connor Watson, and Reed Izzard also crossed as the Bulldogs secured their third win from their past four meetings with the Warriors.

Recent Match Results

Key Match Highlights

The Bulldogs dominated from the opening whistle, racing to an 18-0 lead at halftime. The Warriors showed fight in the second half but couldn’t bridge the gap, with the Bulldogs’ defense holding firm under pressure.

Why this matters

The 2025 R23 result extended the Bulldogs’ advantage in the head-to-head ledger, with their superior points differential at Accor Stadium (54% win rate vs Warriors’ 42%) reflecting their home-ground dominance in this matchup.

The Bulldogs’ victory reinforced their historical edge over the Warriors in this rivalry, though the Warriors’ recent form suggests future encounters will remain competitive.

Have the Bulldogs ever won?

Yes—extensively. The Bulldogs have claimed 21 victories across 42 head-to-head clashes with the Warriors since their rivalry began, giving them a winning record despite the Warriors’ strong performances in recent seasons. According to Rugby League Project, the broader historical record from 1995-2025 shows 46 matches with Bulldogs winning 24 and Warriors 20.

Bulldogs Victories List

Historical Wins vs Warriors

The Bulldogs’ premiership history adds context to their rivalry success. They finished the 2025 NRL season with 16 wins from 26 matches, ranking third and reaching the Semi-Finals. Their 2026 draw announcement on November 14, 2025, confirmed they’ll face the Warriors in Round 21 at Accor Stadium.

The upshot

Bulldogs fans have plenty to celebrate in this rivalry, but the Warriors’ recent form—including six wins from eight prior head-to-heads before R23 2025—shows the margin for error remains razor-thin in every encounter.

While the Bulldogs hold the overall advantage, the Warriors have proven capable of upsetting their rivals on multiple occasions.

What is the NZ Warriors’ biggest loss?

While the Warriors’ heaviest defeats in NRL history include several blowout losses to various opponents, their 32-14 defeat to the Bulldogs in 2025 Round 23 stands as one of their most disappointing results against this particular rival. The 18-point margin represented the Warriors’ largest losing margin against the Bulldogs in recent memory.

Warriors Record Losses

  • Warriors home wins: 8 across 46 matches (Rugby League Project head-to-head summary)
  • Warriors away wins: 7
  • Warriors neutral venue wins: 5

Losses to Bulldogs

The 2025 R23 result continues a concerning pattern for the Warriors at Accor Stadium, where they hold just a 42% win rate against the Bulldogs’ 54%. Their struggles at this venue date back to their first meetings in the mid-1990s.

What to watch

Andrew Johns, speaking on NRL Immortal Behaviour, suggested 2026 could be the year the Warriors break through for a premiership—but reversing their Accor Stadium fortunes against the Bulldogs will be essential to that ambition.

The Warriors’ difficulty winning at Accor Stadium presents a significant obstacle to their premiership ambitions.

Who is joining Bulldogs in 2026?

The Bulldogs’ 2026 roster will feature Sean O’Sullivan, who joins from the New Zealand Warriors environment and brings NRL experience to Canterbury-Bankstown’s halves. The signing represents an intriguing subplot ahead of their Round 21 encounter.

Key Signings

  • Sean O’Sullivan – joins from Warriors system
  • Pre-season clash against Cowboys scheduled for February 7, 2026

Impact on Upcoming Matches

O’Sullivan’s move adds spice to the rivalry narrative, though whether he faces his former club in Round 21 remains to be seen. The Bulldogs open their 2026 campaign against the Dragons in Las Vegas on February 28, 2026.

The Bulldogs’ recruitment strategy signals their intent to maintain competitiveness against the Warriors.

What is the head-to-head record between Bulldogs and Warriors?

The official NRL.com record shows 42 matches played between the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs and New Zealand Warriors heading into 2026, with the Bulldogs holding a 21-19 advantage. Two matches ended in draws. Rugby League Project’s extended database, covering all first-class encounters from 1995-2025, records 46 matches with Bulldogs winning 24 and Warriors 20.

Full Stats Breakdown

  • Total matches (NRL official): 42
  • Bulldogs wins: 21 (NRL.com official record)
  • Warriors wins: 19 (NRL.com official record)
  • Draws: 2

Win Percentages

Home and away splits reveal how each team performs depending on venue location.

Venue Type Bulldogs Wins Warriors Wins
Home 12 8
Away 11 7
Neutral 1 5

The Bulldogs average 23 points per game in 2025 while conceding just 16, compared to the Warriors’ 21 scored and 20 conceded per match.

The venue-based breakdown shows the Bulldogs perform better at neutral venues and at home, while the Warriors have accumulated more neutral victories than their rivals.

Upsides

  • Bulldogs lead head-to-head 21-19 with proven Accor Stadium dominance
  • 2025 form (16 wins, 3rd place) suggests continued competitiveness
  • Warriors struggling at Accor (42% win rate) favors Bulldogs in R21 2026

Downsides

  • Warriors won 6 of 8 prior head-to-heads before R23 2025
  • Average margin of 11 points in recent matches suggests tight contests
  • Andrew Johns predicts Warriors premiership surge in 2026

2025 vs 2026 Season Comparison

Comparing the two teams’ trajectories reveals a fascinating contest brewing for 2026.

This side-by-side comparison highlights the competitive balance between the Bulldogs and Warriors heading into the next season.

Metric Bulldogs 2025 Warriors 2025
Season Wins 16 Varied
Points For 578 Varied
Points Against 486 Varied
Points Per Game (Scored) 23 21
Points Per Game (Conceded) 16 20
Accor Stadium Win Rate 54% 42%
Season Finish 3rd, Semi-Finals Varied
Source

Season statistics from Before You Bet (2025 NRL Round 23 preview) and Wikipedia (2025 Bulldogs season).

The Bulldogs’ superior points differential and defensive record position them as favorites, though the Warriors’ recruitment could shift the balance.

Rivalry Timeline

The Bulldogs-Warriors rivalry spans three decades of trans-Tasman competition.

The timeline below tracks the major milestones in this rivalry’s history.

Period Event Source
1995 Head-to-head rivalry begins Rugby League Project
August 9, 2025 Bulldogs 32-14 Warriors (R23) Rugby League Project
November 14, 2025 Bulldogs 2026 draw announced Bulldogs.com.au
July 25, 2026 NRL R21: Bulldogs vs Warriors NRL.com
2026 Round 1 NRLW: Warriors Women vs Bulldogs Women NRL.com

From humble beginnings in 1995, this rivalry has grown into one of the NRL’s most consistent trans-Tasman fixtures.

Expert Perspectives

“Andrew Johns believes 2026 is the year the Warriors can win the premiership.”

— Andrew Johns, NRL Immortal/Commentator (YouTube Immortal Behaviour)

“The Bulldogs are the superior team on both sides of the ball in 2025.”

— Before You Bet Analyst (Before You Bet preview)

The contradiction between these perspectives captures the rivalry’s intrigue heading into 2026. While the Bulldogs hold historical bragging rights, the Warriors’ recruitment and Andrew Johns’ endorsement suggest this matchup could swing either way.

Bottom line: The Bulldogs hold a narrow 21-19 head-to-head lead over the Warriors, but that advantage narrows considerably at Accor Stadium where both sides have closer to even records. Bulldogs fans should expect another tight contest in July 2026, and backing their side with confidence is justified by the historical data. Warriors supporters have the R21 fixture as an opportunity to close the gap—Andrew Johns’ predicted premiership charge could gain momentum around that time.

Related reading: FA Cup Final 2025

Additional sources

youtube.com, accorstadium.com.au, nrl.com, nswrl.com.au, nrlcountdown.com

Fans following the Bulldogs-Warriors head-to-head can explore Warriors vs Wests Tigers tickets availability for their 2026 NRL campaign.

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Frequently asked questions

When is Bulldogs vs Warriors 2026?

The 2026 NRL Round 21 fixture is scheduled for Saturday, July 25, 2026, at Accor Stadium. Kickoff is at 5:30 PM AEST according to NRL Countdown. The Bulldogs’ official draw announcement on November 14, 2025, confirmed this match.

Where to watch Bulldogs vs Warriors live?

The match will be broadcast live on Channel 9 and streaming via Kayo Sports in Australia. In New Zealand, fans can watch via Sky Sport. Tickets for Accor Stadium are available through Ticketek.

What are Bulldogs vs Warriors tickets prices?

Ticket pricing for the 2026 R21 fixture will be announced closer to the match date through the official NRL ticketing platform. Accor Stadium’s official website lists the event on their 2026 calendar.

Who won Bulldogs vs Warriors 2022?

The 2022 fixture was part of the regular NRL season draw. For specific scores from that year’s encounter, check the Rugby League Project match archives or Flashscore for historical results.

Is there a Bulldogs vs Warriors game today?

The most recent match was the 2025 NRL Round 23 clash on August 9, 2025, where the Bulldogs won 32-14. The next scheduled encounter is July 25, 2026, in Round 21 at Accor Stadium.

What is the Bulldogs vs Warriors 2025 score?

The Bulldogs defeated the Warriors 32-14 at Accor Stadium on August 9, 2025. The Bulldogs scored five tries while the Warriors managed two. Attendance was 25,377.

How to get Bulldogs vs Warriors live updates?

Follow the NRL’s official app, NRL.com’s match centre, or live score platforms like Flashscore for real-time updates. Both teams’ official websites and social media channels also provide match-day coverage.