Eleven interested parties queue up for inclusion in NRL’s expanded competition
Dean Ritchie
Nine interested consortiums potentially fighting for just one spot in the NRL. That’s the brutal reality after NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo addressed a club CEO’s conference on Wednesday about rugby league’s historic expansion plans.
Abdo did not wish to comment on what he told the CEO’s but this masthead can reveal
11 submissions from Australia and overseas have lodged interest in joining the NRL. All have signed nondisclosure agreements.
The NRL’s initial closing date for interested bidders was August 1 before being extended to August 14, next Wednesday. While the number of official submissions won’t be known until the deadline passes, it is expected that all 11 bids will submit full applications to be included in rugby league’s top-tier competition.
The 11 bids have come from
Papua New Guinea, Perth, New Zealand and Brisbane. There are multiple submissions from the same regions. With
Perth Bears and PNG almost certain to secure places, it leaves nine bidders to fight out for the last remaining position.
Abdo did acknowledge to the CEO’s that expansion was now certain.
The NRL wants to implement a 20-team competition with the 18th and 19th franchises to be added by either 2027 or 2028. The final 20th side will be included sometime before 2032. Consortiums sought additional time to finalise their bids due to the NRL’s strict admission criteria The NRL is working to complete a business model to determine the financial advantages expansion could bring to existing clubs.
PNG’s submission will be boosted by a $600m investment from the Australian Government while
Perth Bears appear a formality.
A decision on the 18th and 19th franchise could be announced in September, possibly October.
Christchurch is interested in becoming a second New Zealand team with Wellington also seen as being a keen NRL partner. A third Brisbane side is still a reality but may have to wait several years given the Redcliffe-based Dolphins only entered last year.
Two teams could be added for the next broadcast deal which starts in 2027. The NRL may introduce its 20th side for the following broadcast contract in 2032, depending on how long the NRL wants its next deal to span.
That would allow the NRL to seek additional money for the next two TV contracts and the wait for a 20th side would ensure Perth and PNG have time to become established. The NRL is also aware of the challenges around introducing a third Brisbane side given the Dolphins were admitted just last year.
No other areas outside PNG, Perth, Brisbane and New Zealand have indicated an interest in joining the NRL.
