The NRL will market itself to Americans as Australia’s most-watched sport during its second foray into Las Vegas, claiming to have 10 per cent more viewers than the AFL after cracking the 200 million viewership mark for the first time.
The governing body trumpeted a $62.3 million operating surplus at its annual general meeting on Friday. It is the fourth consecutive surplus posted since COVID-19, totalling $226.5 million during the period.
The period has boosted net assets to $322.4 million, up 24 per cent on the previous year. That marks a total revenue increase of $43.7 million to a new record of $744.9 million.
The NRL has long been in a battle with the AFL for the mantle of Australia’s top football code and the 13-man game has claimed victory in the battle for viewers. The NRL claims to have a cumulative match viewership over all competitions of 200.5 million in 2024 – comprising 186.8 million Australian viewers and 13.7 million from New Zealand – to post a total 8.6 per cent higher than the previous year.
But perhaps the most interesting figures are the direct comparison between the NRL and AFL competitions.
Over 213 matches, the NRL has 153.7 million cumulative viewers, 10 per cent higher than the AFL’s mark of 140.3 million over 216 matches.
Rugby league also claims to have 1.03 million participants, up 20.6 per cent on last year.
“Financially the game has never been stronger,” said ARLC chairman Peter V’landys. “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.
The NRL claims to be Australia’s top sport.Credit: Getty Images
“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.”
Almost 4.8 million fans attended matches across all competitions to set a new benchmark for the game, up from 3.8 million fans in 2018. That takes the overall league fan base to 11 million adults.
The NRL is also broadening its asset base with the acquisitions of the IBIS Styles Port Macquarie Hotel and Mantra Terrace Hotel in Brisbane last year.
“These results are a vindication of the Commission’s vision for growth and investment in every level of the game and it is pleasing to see the greatest game for all in such wonderful health,” V’landys said.
NRL CEO Andrew Abdo said the game will emerge from a record 2024 with an outstanding platform for 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,” 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 number-one 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.”
