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The NRL is fighting to put bums in seats and address its lagging attendance rates next season.
The NRL was touting the fan-friendly nature of its 2015 draw upon its launch on Monday, highlighting a 10-hour Anzac Day marathon and more games on public holidays.
Rugby league has long suffered from average attendances and last year had the poorest crowd sizes during the regular season of the three major winter football codes.
The NRL attracted an average 15,787 fans to its home and away games, less than half of the AFL (32,327) and fewer than Super Rugby (16,193).
It has sought to address the common criticism by scheduling more games on days when sides are likely to pull bigger crowds such as public holidays.
On Easter Sunday this year a record 50,668 fans attended the Parramatta-Wests Tigers match at ANZ Stadium.
Next year, five games will be played across 10 hours on Anzac Day to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the landing at Gallipoli.
The Warriors will host Gold Coast to kick off the day at noon, followed by Newcastle taking on North Queensland, the Sydney Roosters playing St George Illawarra, Melbourne clashing with Manly and Brisbane-Parramatta rounding out the day.
The NRL has also locked in three matches for Easter Monday and two for Queen’s Birthday and Good Friday.
“We’re trying to make sure we’ve shaped our season,” NRL head of football Todd Greenberg said.
“You’ll see some big changes early on, some big games.
“What you can look forward to next year is Anzac Day which will be unlike no other Anzac Day we’ve ever experienced.
“Easter as well, playing games on public holidays and giving fans the opportunity to enjoy their footy.”
The NRL has made several significant changes to the 2015 draw including introducing live Sunday afternoon football and playing less games before State of Origin to lessen the star player drain.
Greenberg said one of the big focuses had been to ensure the quality of football does not suffer during Origin.
Greenberg said the game’s governing body had listened to fans, players and broadcasters by scheduling just four games in the round before each Origin match.
“We’ve taken one game out of the round prior to every Origin game, which is a good thing for players and for fans,” he said.
“Fans ultimately want to see the best players playing. We’ve listened to that feedback and we’ve made some changes.”
Following a backlash from fans over delayed telecasts, Channel Nine’s Sunday afternoon football will also be broadcast live into NSW all season and in Queensland from round five onwards, when daylight savings ends.
FEATURES OF THE 2015 NRL DRAW
* The season will kick off with Wayne Bennett’s return to Suncorp Stadium on March 5, when Brisbane host premiers South Sydney.
* The Rabbitohs take on traditional rivals Sydney Roosters at ANZ Stadium in round two.
* The Bunnies will play their grand final rematch against Canterbury at ANZ Stadium in round five.
* Parramatta recruit Anthony Watmough faces Manly for the first time in round one and returns to Brookvale in round 24.
* Sea Eagle-turned-Rabbitoh Glenn Stewart will come up against his old team in round 16 at ANZ Stadium.
* State of Origin will be played on May 27, June 17 and July 8.
* The Bulldogs will return to their spiritual home of Belmore Sportsground against Cronulla in round 20, which will also be Sharks recruit Michael Ennis’ first game against his old side.
* The Queensland derby between Queensland and North Queensland at Suncorp Stadium in round three, which will also be Ben Hannant’s first game against the Broncos.
* The mid-season Test between Australia and New Zealand will be played on a stand-alone representative weekend from May 1-3, which will also include a Pacific Island double header.
* Finals series begin September 11 with the grand final on October 4.
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