Nine and Foxtel have locked in a new decade-long NRL broadcast deal worth a reported $5.3 billion, the biggest in Australian sporting history.
Nine will continue to host the State of Origin series, the NRL Grand Final and the Women’s State of Origin across Channel 9 and 9Now.
It will also have free-to-air and free streaming rights to three live NRL matches each week including the NRL Finals Series, 33 live NRLW matches, the NRLW Final Series, the NRLW Grand Final, and Men’s and Women’s Test Matches played in Australia.
Kayo Sports and Foxtel will remain the home to every other match, covering every home and away game across both seasons and every finals game bar the Grand Final.
Fans are set to see more exclusive live NRL matches as the league expands, rising from five matches in full rounds to seven once the 20th team enters, alongside exclusive NRLW matches, an expanded Super Saturday proposition offering more exclusive live matches on Saturdays across the entire home and away season.
International reach has extended through DAZN taking NRL matches into 200 markets around the world.
“As our partnership with the NRL enters its fourth decade, this agreement reinforces Nine’s long-term strategy of investing in premium live sport and the moments that matter most,” said Nine chief executive officer Matt Stanton.
“This renewed NRL partnership is a great outcome for the game, fans and our subscribers and maintains Kayo Sports and Foxtel as the home of NRL and live sport in Australia well into the next decade,” said Foxtel Group chief executive Patrick Delaney.
“We have been partners in the growth of rugby league for 30 years and are committed to working with the NRL to grow the game at all levels, elevate the fan experience and deliver even better innovation for audiences watching across Australia and in 200 international markets through DAZN,” Delany added.
“This agreement is the largest commercial deal ever secured by an Australian sport, but its significance goes well beyond the financial outcome. It returns the draw back to the NRL and will ensure fair and equitable scheduling for all Clubs. It also gives us greater flexibility to shape the future of the game, and ensures more fans can access rugby league than ever before,” said Australian Rugby League Commission chairman Peter V’landys.
“This agreement reflects the strength of rugby league today and confidence in where the game can go next. It is the result of years of planning, discipline and execution by the Commission as we positioned the game to maximise its value in a rapidly changing media landscape,” said NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo.
“It gives the game greater control over how rugby league is produced, distributed and experienced, ensuring fans remain at the centre of every decision we make,” Abdo added.
The new partnership starts from the 2028 season.
Nine and Foxtel reportedly saw off competition from Amazon Prime and Seven during negotiations. Both broadcasters were said to have shown interest in the rights before the Nine and Foxtel retained their hold on the code.
