The Australian Rugby League Commission has posted a 4% increase in operating surplus to a record A$64.86 million (US$45.8 million) for the year ended 31 October 2025.
The results for the governing body for professional rugby league in Australia were disclosed in the 2025 annual report of the National Rugby League (NRL).
Revenue grew 14% to $845.6 million while expenses increased 7% to $218.833 million in the 2025 financial year (FY25) compared with the previous corresponding period (pcp).
“Financially, the game has never been stronger,” Commission Chairman Peter V’landys said in a news release.
“2025 was another landmark year that demonstrated Rugby League’s unrivalled strength across the region.”
Consistent annual increases in revenue and surpluses had compounded and enabled increased funding for players, clubs, states and grassroots and increased the Commission’s capacity to invest further into new revenue generating assets.
The Commission continued its strategy of developing a strong, stable balance sheet to provide financial security and steady passive income with multiple hotels and investment properties and active management of secure term deposits.
It distributed a record $562.331 million, 18% more than in the pcp, of the $627.191 million available for distribution.
Of the distributions, $466.39 million (+22% on pcp) went to clubs and players, $56.35 million (+7%) went to states, affiliates and international, and $39.59 million (-4%) was for development.
The NRL said revenue included record levels and growth across multiple sources, including new events, while revenue from investments continued to grow steadily and provide a diversification of revenue streams.
The NRL published its annual report two weeks after rival sporting body the Australian Football League announced a 50% increase in its operating surplus to $67.9 million on revenue, which increased by 16% to $1.203 billion for the same period.
