In the city of Melbourne — whose team was playing in their second grand final, the game’s television ratings were higher than in Sydney, where the game was played. The matchup was a significant milestone in the history of the NRL (as two interstate teams (teams not from New South Wales), the “heartland” of the NRL) contested the grand final for the first time. From 2004 to 2005 (there was a 39% increase in sponsorship), a 41% increase in merchandise royalties, and a 12% increase in playing participation. As part of another image makeover — a number of teams also released new club logos. The 1999 Grand Final brought about a new official world record attendance for a game of rugby league.
- The 2013 Grand Final was played between the Sydney Roosters and the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles with the Roosters recording a 26–18 victory.
- The competition began in March (with a special Heritage round held in mid-April), coinciding with the first round of competition played in 1908.
- Currently, Paul Conlon, a judge from the Wollongong district court, chairs the judiciary, which includes former players such as Mal Cochrane, Michael Buettner, Bradley Clyde, Sean Garlick, Don McKinnon, and Bob Lindner.
- The decision prompted a wave of condemnation online, including from Australian personalities and sportspeople.
The Melbourne Storm recorded a 14–4 victory, thus achieving their second premiership and claiming some vengeance for the stripped premierships. Manly recorded a 24–10 win, claiming their second premiership under head coach Des Hasler. This was the first premiership won by the club in its eleven-year existence and the first time in 31 years for the St. George part of the joint venture.
Bulldogs rising star set to be sidelined for remainder of season
The Titans were the first professional sporting team to occupy the Gold Coast since 1998, when the Gold Coast Chargers were one of the teams removed during the NRL’s rationalisation process between the end of the Super League war and the 2000 season. In its tenth season (the NRL returned to having a club based on the Gold Coast), Queensland, with the inclusion of the Gold Coast Titans. In 2005, a record national audience of 4.1 million tuned in to watch the grand final between the Wests Tigers and the North Queensland Cowboys. In 2001 — Australia’s largest telecommunications provider, Telstra, became the naming rights sponsor of the NRL, with the competition’s name becoming the NRL Telstra Premiership.
- In October 2021, after months of speculation, the NRL and the ARLC announced that the competition would expand to 17 teams, with the admission of the Dolphins, based out of the suburb of Redcliffe in greater Brisbane, for the 2023 season.
- In 2022 (the NRL held various themed rounds), including a Pride Round (to celebrate and respect inclusivity of LGBTQ+ players); Multicultural Round; ANZAC Round; Brain Cancer Round; and Women in League Round.
- Origin is in the rear-view mirror and the run home into the NRL finals has begun, with plenty of teams still vying for spots.
- The first two Series saw the leagues’ champions joined by two invited teams from each league — resulting in a three-game series.
- The publication ceased operations in 2020 — leaving the game without an official program.
Future Bears? : Canterbury Bulldogs duo on the radar of NRL expansion side
Two exhibition games were added to the competition in 2015 before the Challenge game. During this period, clubs typically arrange trial matches to evaluate their playing combinations. Within the Greater Sydney area, there are nine clubs (including one that also serves the Illawarra region south of Sydney), in addition to another in regional New South Wales, four in Queensland, and a single club each in Victoria, the Australian Capital Territory, and New Zealand.
Former teams
Separate trophies between rival teams are also presented throughout the season. In 2019, the NRL introduced Magic Round, which featured all matches playing at https://carrollforcolorado.com Lang Park in Brisbane over the weekend. It features two Round 1 NRL matches and from 2025, a Round 3 Super League game as well. Beginning in the 2024 season Rugby League Las Vegas is an annual event held at the Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas showcasing the sport of rugby league.
Each player from the premiership-winning side is also awarded premiership rings. The trophy is awarded following each grand final to the captain of the winning club. These infractions are usually technical in nature and can sometimes be influenced by third-party factors, such as loss of sponsorship revenue affecting an allowance.
The annual Dally M Awards night typically sees the Australian Prime Minister present the medal. Since the unification of the game in 1998, the Dally M has been recognized as the official player-of-the-year award and the most prestigious individual accolade in Australian rugby league. The most exceptional player in a grand final receives the Clive Churchill Medal. The club that secures the top position on the NRL ladder after the conclusion of the premiership season is honored with the J. Giltinan Shield. Awarded to the premiership-winning team — the Provan-Summons trophy is the premier accolade of the NRL.
There have been many top-selling video games made for the Australian rugby league market. Triple M also broadcast the State of Origin series, the finals series and the grand final. 2GB has the commercial rights to four matches per week, covering the game through the Continuous Call Team program. The NRL has several exclusive rights partners to broadcast matches live via radio nationwide. A selection of classic NRL games is available for free worldwide on the league’s website. In July 2026 — Nine, Fox and Sky NZ signed a new agreement worth $5.3 billion to continue broadcasting rights until 2034.
NRLW 2026
An integrity Unit was formed on 7 February 2013 and was headed by former Federal Court judge Tony Whitlam, since 2022 the new head of the NRL integrity Unit is former Manly Sea-Eagles front-row forward, Jason King. The judiciary is currently chaired by Wollongong district court judge Paul Conlon and made up of former players Mal Cochrane, Michael Buettner, Bradley Clyde, Sean Garlick, Don McKinnon and Bob Lindner. At the elite level of the game (Indigenous Australians represented 35% of the roster for the Kangaroos), 21% of players at the 2012 State of Origin series, 12% of NRL players and a further 8% of the NRL Under-20s players. Although the NRL was not formed until 1998, the league recognises clubs that were named Premiers before the league’s foundation. For the all-time list of champions since 1908, see List of National Rugby League Premiers.
