NRL beats AFL as grand final sets TV ratings record

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The NRL and Channel Nine are celebrating the best television ratings in the history of the sport, with the Broncos-Storm grand final attracting a record audience of 4.46 million viewers.

The NRL grand final smashed the television viewing numbers of the AFL, with an average of 4.18 million viewers tuning in to watch the Brisbane Lions topple Geelong to win the flag a week earlier.

The women’s grand final also had more than a million viewers, passing the numbers of the Bledisloe Cup between the Wallabies and All Blacks (893,000) the night before. It was up 36 per cent on the NRLW grand final the year before.

The NRL grand final was watched by more people than the highest rating Origin fixture of the year, with an average of 3.9 million tuning in for the decider in game three earlier in the year.

Last year’s NRL grand final between Penrith and Melbourne attracted an average audience of 3.36 million, with this year’s grand final up 33 per cent. The 2023 grand final had an audience of 3.41 million.

The Broncos-Storm grand final was the highest-rated streaming event in the new ratings system’s history, with 1.3 million watching the decider on 9Now alone. Nine is the owner of this masthead.

The 2025 grand final was also the highest-rated television program of the night in each major city bar Adelaide.

“This year’s phenomenal ratings are a testament to Nine’s unwavering commitment to being the true home of rugby league,” Amanda Laing, Nine’s streaming and broadcast managing director said.

“We believe the greatest game of all should be accessible to everyone, and by providing that universal, free-to-air access, we are helping to grow the sport’s fan base in every corner of the country. To see that commitment reflected in record-breaking audience numbers is incredibly rewarding.

“Our passion for the game extends beyond the 80 minutes on the field. This season, we have invested more than ever in telling the stories at the heart of rugby league - profiling the incredible athletes, the dedicated coaches, and the passionate fans that make this sport what it is. By bringing these human stories to life across all our platforms, we are giving viewers a deeper connection to the game they love.”

Broncos players following their grand final win.

“This success would not be possible without the incredible collaboration we have with the NRL. Immense credit goes to Peter V’landys and Andrew Abdo for their leadership and shared vision. We are proud of our close partnership and thank them for working with us to deliver this landmark season to the Australian public.”

The Broncos 26-22 win attracted a national total television reach of 6.409 million.