NRL announces 2024 as most successful in the game’s 117-year history

The NRL has revealed that the competition reached new highs in 2024 with a significant growth in revenue and its best ever attendances.

The Australian Rugby League Commission (ARLC) today advised of an operating surplus of $62.3 million, the fourth consecutive surplus with the four-year total hitting more than $226.5 million.

In addition, the game’s total revenue increased by $43.7 million to a new record of $744.9 million.

Advising that the game is entering an exciting phase of new growth at today’s AGM, ARLC Chairman, Peter V’landys stated “with more girls, boys, women and men watching, attending and playing our game than ever before, rugby league is indisputably the number one sport in Australia and the Pacific.

“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.

“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.”

With teams heading to the USA for the NRL’s season-start in Las Vegas, the figures were confirmed at the ARLC’s Annual General Meeting with V’Landys declared that the figures show rugby league as the “No.1” sport in the country, noting “with more girls, boys, women and men watching, attending and playing our game than ever before, rugby league is indisputably the number one sport in Australia and the Pacific.

“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.

“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.”

Noting that there is room for more growth from the game, NRL Chief Executive, Andrew Abdo added “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.

“With club licencing 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.”

This growth will include the introduction of a new team in PNG and a possible 19th team in Perth or New Zealand.

Images: NRL action at the Central Coast Stadium during the 2024 season (top), ARLC Chairman Peter V’landys (middle) and NRL Chief Executive Andrew Abdo (below).