The National Rugby League (NRL) has declared record revenues of AUS$845.6 million (US$598 million) in 2025, an increase from AUS$100.7 million (US$71.2 million) in the previous 12 months.
Key details:
The NRL earned AUS$520 million (US$367.7 million) from media, merchandise and betting rights, up two per cent year-over-year (YoY)
The league also earned AUS$286.7 million (US$202.7 million) from sponsorship, ticket sales and government funding for rugby league programs, which increased by 41 per cent YoY
NRL clubs earned AUS$562.3 million (US$397.7 million) in revenue distributions from the league, up by AUS$85.2 million (US$60.2 million)
The Australian Rugby League Commission (ARLC), which governs the NRL, declared a record operating surplus of AUS$64.8 million (US$45.8 million), which grew by four per cent
The ARLC’s net assets are now worth AUS$387.3 million (US$273.9 million), which is 20 per cent higher than 2024
Context:
The NRL enjoyed a hugely successful year, with the grand final averaging 4.55 million Australian viewers, an increase of 34.7 per cent on the previous season. Across the 2025 campaign 4.98 million fans attended games, up 3.6 per cent YoY, and 9.6 million followed the league on social media, while there was a total of 1.12 million participants in rugby league grassroots programs.
The strong figures come as the league prepares to negotiate a new domestic broadcast deal beyond 2027, with the current agreement reportedly valued at AUS$1.7 billion (US$1.2 billion) over four years. The NRL wants its next deal surpasses the AUS$4.5 billion (US$3.18 billion) that rival code the Australian Football League (AFL) received from its current broadcast contracts.
The league is also preparing to expand in future years, with teams from Perth and Papua New Guinea set to join the competition in 2027 and 2028 respectively. The expanded league will give broadcasters more matches to show, while also offering more commercial opportunities.
Comment:
“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 Peter V’landys, 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,” V’landys added.
“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.
“And the future is even brighter, with the Perth Bears to join the NRL Premiership in 2027 and the Papua New Guinea Chiefs to enter from 2028. 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.”
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