The NRL trumpeted a record-breaking $100 million increase in revenue, among other key wins, as Peter V’landys on Monday took a fresh swipe at the AFL and Australia’s other major football codes.
The Australian Rugby League Commission (ARLC) released the NRL’s 2025 annual report, announcing the league’s revenue had ballooned to $845.6 million — an increase of $100.7 million from 2024.
The ARLC also revealed it had registered a record $562.3 million in distributions to clubs, players, states and development, a record operating surplus of $64.8 million, and a record $387.3 million in net assets.
READ MORE: Aussie teen prodigy misses podium as Gu clinches gold
READ MORE: One lie that prompted Israel to disqualify its own bobsleigh team
READ MORE: ‘Cooked’ star collapses after rain chaos lashes Supercars
Additionally, the ARLC said it had drawn a record 224.2 million viewers in 2025, up 9.5 per cent on the year prior.
The grand final between Brisbane and Melbourne, broadcast on Nine, attracted an audience of 4.55 million viewers.
And five million people attended matches — an increase of 3.6 per cent from 2024.
ARLC chairman Peter V’landys. Rhett Wyman
V’landys took the opportunity to fire another grenade in the code wars.
“The season delivered extraordinary performance outcomes for rugby league, cementing our now established position as Australia’s — and the Pacific’s — number one sport,” said V’landys, the ARLC chairman.
“The strategies of the Australian Rugby League Commission and strong financial management has enabled funding for players, clubs, states and grassroots to continually grow, while also increasing our capacity to invest further into new revenue generating assets.
“Financially, the game has never been stronger. Consistent annual increases in revenue and surpluses have compounded over consecutive years, enabling increased funding for players, clubs, states and grassroots, while also increasing our capacity to invest further into new revenue generating assets.”
Participation in rugby league rose to 1.12 million in 2025, the ARLC said.
Female participation increased by 10 per cent to more than 50,000 registered players, while club participation hit a record 207,744 registered participants.
V’landys flagged an “even brighter” future, pointing to the looming entries of the Perth Bears (2027) and Papua New Guinea Chiefs (2028).
The 2026 premiership season will kick off in Las Vegas on Sunday, when Newcastle and North Queensland square off and Canterbury and St George Illawarra do battle.
“These new market expansions will build lasting connections with communities, growing the grassroots and giving kids the best start in life through the transformative power of rugby league,” V’landys added.
Rugby league is “strong, healthy and vibrant”, said NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo.
“More people are watching rugby league than ever before. More people are playing rugby league than ever before. Whichever metric you choose, our overall results reflect those core strengths,” Abdo said.
He, too, had a dig at the AFL and rugby league’s other rivals.
“Rugby league is Australia and the Pacific’s largest and most inclusive sport,” Abdo said.
“Across schools, community and club competitions, rugby league provides touch, tag and tackle experiences for everyone.”