66 nations and counting: The staggering numbers behind NRL's global growth

The growing global reach of rugby league will be on display this weekend as players representing 66 nations take to the field for Multicultural Round. 

The figure represents the diversity of the sport's playing group and the wide range of backgrounds that come together to play in the NRL.

There are 66 nationalities represented in the heritage of NRL and NRLW players, with more than half of current NRL players having a father born overseas. 

The number is even bigger when you factor in community participation, with a staggering 230 countries represented among the game's playing base from the grassroots all the way through to the elite level. 

While the Polynesian nations are well represented across the game, there are a number of emerging countries showcasing the changing demographics of rugby league. 

The Lebanese contingent continues to grow, while there are players of French, Indian, Chinese and American heritage throughout the NRL. 

Overall, the multicultural nature of rugby league is reflected right throughout the game: 

• There are 66 total national heritages represented across the current NRL & NRLW playing squads.
• 27% of current NRL players were born overseas.
• More than half of current NRL players have a father born overseas (57%), while 47% have a mother born overseas.
• Almost a quarter (23%) of current NRL players have a father born in the Pacific Islands, while 18% have a mother born in the Pacific Islands.
• More than two-thirds (68%) of current NRL players have at least one grandparent born overseas.
• 12% of NRL players identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander and 10% are of Māori descent.

The NRL kicked off Multicultural Round with an In League In Harmony gala day in Wentworthville on Tuesday morning and a number of Harmony Walks will also take place throughout the week. 

NRL clubs will hold community events to celebrate their diverse playing and supporter bases, with the Bulldogs recently holding their annual Iftar Dinner at Belmore Oval.

The Raiders have invited the Tongan High Commissioner to lead the Viking Clap prior to Thursday's clash with Canterbury and will have Chinese, Irish and Tongan cultural performances throughout the night. 

The Eels will have a number of cultural activations at Sunday's game against the Dragons and the Roosters invited in former player, and My Kitchen Rules winner, Will Mataka to host a multicultural lunch on Monday.  

The Tigers will wear a special Multicultural Round jersey against the Rabbitohs on Saturday night and co-captain Jarome Luai said it's important opportunity to celebrate the cultures that make the club so special.

"We're a diverse team, as many other teams are as well," Luai said. "Culture is a big part of who you are as a person and it's important we celebrate that. 

"It's also important we celebrate other people's cultures and that's the kind of game we have here that we do that."

The diversity at the elite level is also reflected all the way down to grassroots participation, with players from hundreds of nations coming together to play the sport. 

Figures from the 2025 season showcase rugby league's unique ability to unite different cultures:

• 230 total national heritages represented across club rugby league players.
• 17,000 club rugby league players were born overseas, across 153 countries.
• 13,000 club rugby league players were born in the Pacific (NZ, Samoa, Fiji, PNG, Tonga, Cook Islands).
• More than 40,000, or 19%, club rugby league players identify as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and more than 11,000, or 5%, club rugby league players identify as Māori.