Impending expansion could help lift annual NRL revenue close to $1bn after the league announced 2024 was the most successful in the game’s 117-year history.
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The Australian Rugby League Commission revealed an operating surplus of $62.3m, the fourth consecutive surplus, with the four-year total hitting more than $226.5m.
Total revenue increased by $43.7mn to a new record of $744.9m and ARLC chairman Peter V’landys AM said it was clear the game was entering an exciting phase of new growth.
That will include the introduction of a new team in PNG as soon as 2028 and a possible 19th team in Perth.
As teams settled into Las Vegas for the second year of the NRL’s season-start in the US, the figures were confirmed at the ARLC’s annual general meeting, with V’landys declaring rugby league the “No.1” sport in the country.
“With more girls, boys, women and men watching, attending and playing our game than ever before, rugby league is indisputably the No.1 sport in Australia and the Pacific,” V’landys said.
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“Financially, the game has never been stronger. This is the fourth consecutive year we’ve reported a very healthy surplus, allowing us to maximise the opportunity for reinvestment in the game.
“Our continued focus on running an efficient organisation and diversifying our assets has meant we’ve been able to increase support for clubs and states and invest more than ever into the grassroots. This is on top of record payments to players.
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“After a record-breaking kick-off to the season in Las Vegas, rugby league was again the most watched sport in the country and attendances across the season were the highest on record. “The women’s game continues to forge ahead in leaps and bounds and the international game is flourishing on the back of a highly successful Pacific Championships.”
The footprint of rugby league continues to grow, with viewership across all formats of the game in Australia and New Zealand surpassing 200 million for the first time.
It marked an 8.6 per cent increase from 184.7 million viewers in 2023 and 133.2 million in 2018.
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NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo said the game had room for more growth.
“We are extremely proud of the 2024 results with revenue growth, record fan interest, new assets, well-funded and successful NRL clubs and state leagues and a booming participation ecosystem setting us up for a bigger and better 2025,” Mr Abdo said.
“With club licensing and state funding agreements secured, the commission will continue its focus on key growth areas, including investment in grassroots, and income-generating assets as well as supporting the game’s strategy in the Pacific.
“We are looking forward to working together with the members and our loyal partners across the game to continue growing the No.1 sport in Australia and the Pacific by delivering an even bolder season kick-off in Las Vegas, an expanded women’s game with a 12-team NRLW competition, and building the largest sporting community via touch, tackle, tag and new recreational formats.”
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