Nine has unveiled its comprehensive sponsorship lineup for the 2026 Telstra NRL Premiership.
With more than 145 games live and free on the 9Network, Nine’s rugby league ecosystem gives brands access to a diverse audience at scale.
For the 2026 season, Nine welcomes back many brands while introducing new ones to the fold. The lineup is headlined by Telstra, Harvey Norman, McDonald’s, Youi Insurance and Sportsbet. All of which maintain category exclusivity across the Men’s and Women’s Premierships, State of Origin, and the Finals Series.
Joining them are Ford, Kia, and Isuzu UTE, alongside Westpac, Chemist Warehouse, and Lion. Newcomers Carnival Cruise Line and Jim Beam join as a full Sunday Afternoon sponsor, while Universal Pictures takes a position within the State of Origin series.
Andrew Cann Nine’s national commercial director sport said: “Nine’s offering goes from strength to strength and, for brands, our ‘always on’ strategy provides the ultimate marketing platform that spans the majority of the year,
“We are privileged to welcome back our returning partners and sponsors, as well as the new brands joining us.”
With 77 per cent of fans agreeing that Nine’s broadcast of the NRL offers the best viewing experience across all sporting events. A further 79 per cent of fans viewing the NRL as a strong endorser for brands.
Nine’s 2026 strategy, ‘More Tackles & More Wins’, focuses on the fan experience. Partners will now benefit from Australia’s first fully virtual 360-degree studio, utilised during the Winter Olympics and enhanced player storytelling that bridges the gap between the field and the living room.
This allows fans to be brought closer to the action , providing brands with integrated touchpoints that deliver a cut-through.
Commercial opportunities have also been refreshed, including a 15-second Solus spot immediately following conversion attempts on Nine Radio’s Continuous Call Team.
Sarah Stewart Nine’s director of content partnerships and client experience in powered said: “In 2026, we are going beyond the full 80 minutes to ensure brands connect with highly-engaged NRL fans like never before,”
“We will be delivering nearly 900 hours of NRL content this year and, with the upcoming entry of the Perth Bears in 2027, we are providing a runway for brands to activate their marketing campaigns on a national scale never before seen in the NRL.”
