What is the NRL?
The NRL, or National Rugby League, is Australia's top professional rugby league competition. It has teams from New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, the ACT and New Zealand, and its season ends with the NRL Grand Final.
Rugby league has been played professionally in Sydney since 1908. The New South Wales Rugby League competition later became the Australian Rugby League, and the NRL was formed in 1998 after the Super League war.
The competition includes famous clubs such as the South Sydney Rabbitohs, the Brisbane Broncos, the Melbourne Storm, the Penrith Panthers and the Sydney Roosters.
Grand Final and State of Origin
The NRL Grand Final, usually held in early October at Accor Stadium in Sydney, is one of the biggest sporting events of the year. The winning team receives the Provan-Summons Trophy.
During the season, the State of Origin series between New South Wales and Queensland attracts huge television audiences.
Rugby league is especially popular in New South Wales and Queensland. The NRL has expanded with new teams, including the Dolphins from Redcliffe, which joined in 2023. A team from Perth has also been announced.