NRL on track to become $1 billion sport as ARL Commission reveals record revenue and profits
Peter V’landys has declared the NRL is on track to be a $1 billion sport by 2028 as the ARL Commission revealed record revenue ahead of the season launch in Las Vegas.
The NRL will launch in Las Vegas celebrating a record $845 million bonanza which has left the game in rude health and armed head office with plenty of ammunition as they prepare to seal a monster broadcast deal by October.
ARL Commission boss Peter V’landys declared the NRL is on track to be a $1 billion sport by 2028 after the ARLC on Monday announced record revenue and profits ahead of the premiership kick-off in Vegas.
Clubs and players are set to be the major beneficiaries of the game’s golden age as they get a cut of the profits that continue to be produced under V’landys and NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo.
Among the highlights of the ARL Commission’s financial report for last season were:
• Record revenues of $845 million which represents a 116 per cent increase since 2016;
• Distributions to clubs, players and stares of $562.3 million;
• A record operating surplus of $64.8 million representing the fifth consecutive year of profit;
The ARL Commission has reported record revenue for the game. Picture: NRL Imagery
• Net assets in excess of $387 million;
• A nearly 5 million attendees across the 2025 season; and
• A growing broadcasting audience highlighted which the NRL spruiks has made them the most watched sport in Australia and New Zealand combined.
Crucially, the NRL spruiked a 50 per cent increase in fans aged 16-19, showing the game continues to appeal to a young audience.
“The season delivered extraordinary performance outcomes for Rugby League, cementing our now established position as Australia’s – and the Pacific’s – number one sport,” V’landys said.
“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.
The NRL is in its best financial position ever. Picture: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images
“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.
“We are in the best financial position we have ever been. We will surpass $1 billion in the next few years.
“In 2019, we had $555 million in revenue. Because we are making all these profits, the clubs and players will be getting a lot more money.”
The NRL is locked in talks with broadcasters over a new deal – the existing agreement expires at the end of 2027. There is genuine hope that a deal can be struck in coming months which reflects rugby league’s influence in Australian sport.
On top of the attendance and viewing figures, the code attracted nearly 2.5 billion views on social media across the season.
The women’s game also enjoyed significant growth – 12.5 million people tuned in to the NRLW across the season.
“After another record-breaking year, rugby league is strong, healthy and vibrant,” NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo said.
“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,” Mr Abdo said.
“Rugby League is Australia and the Pacific’s largest and most inclusive sport.”
The NRL also posted another milestone with a record 224 million viewers across Australia and New Zealand over the past year, adding fuel to a push for a second Kiwi club as part of the code’s march towards a 20-team competition by the 2032 Brisbane Olympics.
V’landys has been blown away by the success of the Warriors and a second team in the south Island, based in Christchurch, could see the NRL take over rugby in New Zealand.
