2025 Season Breaks All The Records, NRL Annual Report Reveals

The Australian Rugby League Commission (ARLC) has today released the NRL Annual Report 2025, confirming another record breaking year that and cementing the sports position as the biggest in the Australia and Pacific regions.

Attendance, TV audience and participation numbers are all at record highs while the game is also in the strongest financial position in its history.

ARLC Chairman Peter V'landys said 2025 delivered extraordinary performance outcomes for the game and demonstrated Rugby League's unrivalled strength in the region.

"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," he said.

“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.”

Key takeaways from the report include:

• 12.1 million NRL fans (+10.0% YoY)
• 224.2 million cumulative average viewers across Australia and NZ (+9.5% YoY)
• 4.98 million attendees across 2025 (+3.6% YoY)
• 1.12 million total participants across Rugby League programs (+7.5% YoY)
• 4.55 million average viewers for the NRL Grand Final (+34.7% YoY)
• 9.6 million social media followers (+13% YoY)

NRL CEO Andrew Abdo said the 2025 season delivered the strongest entertainment product in Australian sport and the largest, most connected participation community in Australia and the Pacific.

“After another record-breaking year, Rugby League is strong, healthy and vibrant," 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."

Participation in Rugby League continued to grow strongly in 2025, with total participation reaching 1.12 million. Female participation also reached an important milestone, rising by 10 per cent to more than 50,000 registered players.

Club participation hit a record high of 207,744 registered participants, while a further 829,347 children engaged with the game via school programs.

“Rugby League is Australia and the Pacific’s largest and most inclusive sport. Across schools, community and club competitions, Rugby League provides touch, tag and tackle experiences for everyone," Abdo concluded.