Support and interest in the NRL has soared to unprecedented heights with record breaking crowds and viewership throughout the regular season laying the foundation for a spectacular finals series.
Rugby league continues to prove must-watch television and the fans voted with their remotes on a weekly basis. The 2026 season was the most-watched season on record, with more than 150 million viewers tuning in throughout the year.
From the moment Newcastle and North Queensland kicked off the season at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas to Sunday's clash between Penrith and the Tigers, supporters could not look away.
Las Vegas rewind - 2026
The ratings reflect the high-octane nature of rugby league in 2026, with the introduction of new rules resulting in an entertaining, attacking style of play.
The action on the field was also closer than ever, with the minor premiership not decided until the conclusion of the final game of the season.
The 2026 State of Origin series was the most watched Origin series of all time – more than 18 million total viewers and 12.6m cumulative average audience – eclipsing the previous record set in 2013.
Additionally, the three matches are the three most watched programs on free-to-air television so far this year as fans tuned into watch the Blues win back the Origin shield in thrilling fashion.
Best Moments - 2026 Origin
For the third consecutive year, Women's State of Origin amassed one million average viewers per game, solidifying its position as Australia’s premier women’s sporting property.
The unprecedented television ratings helped the Australian Rugby League Commission secure a record-breaking $5.3 billion media rights agreement with Foxtel Group, Nine and Sky NZ. The deal is the largest broadcast and media partnership in Australian sporting history.
The passion in living rooms around Australia and the Pacific was matched by the fans on the ground, with crowds soaring to record highs this year.
The 2026 season was the most attended season on record as more than four million spectators packed into stadiums throughout the year.
The NRL's Anzac Round in Round 8 was the most attended round of all time, with a remarkable 220,000 fans pouring through the gates across the weekend.
The year saw the most-attended NRL event in Las Vegas, the most-attended Anzac Round, and an equal most-attended Magic Round with spectators desperate to experience the game's showpiece events.
The Warriors continue to set the benchmark in New Zealand, the club selling out all 11 games on home soil throughout the year.
NRL Finals footy is here!
Their historic clash against the Cowboys at One New Zealand Stadium in Christchurch sold out in record time, more than 25,000 fans piling into the new state-of-the-art venue in June.
The interest will remain high on both sides of the Tasman throughout the next month, with big crowds set to pack into stadiums as the race to the NRL premiership reaches its climax.
The fan interest also translated to digital engagement with the NRL now boasting more than 10 million followers across all social platforms, more than any other Australian football code.
Social media engagements throughout the State of Origin series were up 20% on last year, with a record 5.4 million engagements. The digital audience across NRL.com and the NRL app also surged to unprecedented levels during the series.
The audience grew to a record 4.26 million users, a 24% increase on the 2025 series.
