Nine Entertainment and Foxtel have secured new long-term agreements with the NRL, described as "the largest commercial deal ever secured by an Australian sport".
The annual cost to Nine will be $145 million in cash, offset by $10 million of committed annual spend by the NRL on advertising or other services, plus a further $15 million a year of contra.
Foxtel also has extended its 30-year broadcast partnership with the NRL until 2034, with live coverage of every home and away game of both seasons and every finals game (except the Grand Final).
With Nine, Foxtel and Sky NZ, the NRL broadcast rights are valued at $5.3 billion over seven years from 2028 to 2034.
Under the agreement, Nine retains exclusive free-to-air and free streaming rights to the State of Origin series, the NRL Grand Final, the Women's State of Origin, three live NRL matches each week, the NRL Finals Series, 33 live NRLW matches, the NRLW Finals Series, the NRLW Grand Final and men's and women's Test matches played in Australia.
Nine CEO Matt Stanton said this year's top two highest-rating television programs across any Australian broadcaster had both been NRL.
"Nine brings together an unmatched breadth of media capabilities and a proven track record of growing audiences, deepening fandom and creating cultural moments around the game's biggest occasions,” he said.
“We're uniquely positioned to help unlock the next phase of the game's growth.”
Foxtel Group CEO Patrick Delany said the renewed NRL partnership is a great outcome for the game, fans and subscribers and maintains Kayo Sports and Foxtel as the home of NRL and live sport in Australia.
“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," he said.
“We invest $1 billion every year in sports rights and production. Sport is critical to Australia’s social infrastructure and with the NRL investing significant broadcast dollars directly into grassroots football, every Kayo subscriber not only buys affordable family entertainment but contributes to a better and stronger community."
Peter V'landys, chairman of the Australian Rugby League Commission, said today marks a defining moment for rugby league.
"The Commission has worked hard in the last five years to make the game more entertaining for our fans, effectively doubling our audience. Our Players and Clubs that made this possible will now be justifiably rewarded," he said.
“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.
“We entered these negotiations with a clear objective - secure long-term growth while retaining control of the things that matter most. We have achieved that outcome.
“I want to thank Foxtel Group CEO Patrick Delany, Nine Chair Peter Tonagh, Nine CEO Matt Stanton, and Sky NZ CEO Sophie Moloney for reaching a landmark agreement that puts the fans and the future of rugby league first."
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