The Australian Rugby League Commission (ARLC) has today held its Annual General Meeting, declaring 2024 the most successful in the game's 117-year history with more people watching, attending and playing Rugby League than ever before.
The ARLC advised its members that the game will report an operating surplus of $62.3 million. This is the fourth consecutive surplus with total surpluses over the four years being $226.5 million. These surpluses have grown net assets to $322.4 million, up 24 per cent on 2023.
Total revenue increased by $43.7 million to a new record of $744.9 million.
ARLC Chairman Peter V'landys AM said it was clear that Rugby League was entering an exciting phase of new growth.
"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," Mr V'landys said.
"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."
Mr V'landys said total viewership across all formats of the game in Australia and New Zealand surpassed 200 million for the first time, up 8.6 per cent from 184.7 million in 2023 and 133.2 million in 2018.
He said in 2024, almost 4.8 million fans attended matches across all competitions to set a new benchmark for the game. This is up from 3.8 million fans in 2018.
The fan base of Rugby League increased to 11 million adults.
The total number of people playing Rugby League in club competitions, recreational formats and school programs also surpassed the one million mark for the first time, with a total of 1.03 million participants nationally.
New acquisitions in 2024 included the IBIS Styles Port Macquarie Hotel and Mantra Terrace Hotel in Brisbane, which adds to the existing hotel portfolio in the group.
"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," Mr 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," Mr Abdo said.
"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."
