sports - 2026-07-14

Sea Eagles set to benefit as NRL seals $5.3 billion broadcast deal from 2028

Source: www.seaeagles.com.au

Manly Warringah Sea Eagles and the rest of the NRL will head into the next decade under a record $5.3 billion media rights agreement, after the Australian Rugby League Commission secured a new seven-year deal with Foxtel Group, Nine and Sky NZ from 2028. The agreement is significant not just for the size of the money, but because the commission says it will hand scheduling control back to the game and expand access for fans across Australia, New Zealand and overseas.

Manly Warringah Sea Eagles and the rest of the NRL will head into the next decade under a record $5.3 billion media rights agreement, after the Australian Rugby League Commission secured a new seven-year deal with Foxtel Group, Nine and Sky NZ from 2028. The agreement is significant not just for the size of the money, but because the commission says it will hand scheduling control back to the game and expand access for fans across Australia, New Zealand and overseas. The ARLC described the package as the largest broadcast and media partnership in Australian sporting history. It will deliver a substantial lift in annual revenue to rugby league and give the commission greater control over competition scheduling and structure, a point likely to matter to clubs and supporters who have long debated the fairness of the NRL draw. ARLC chairman Peter V’landys said the deal marked a defining moment for rugby league after five years of work to grow the audience and increase the game’s value. He said the commission had gone into negotiations with a clear aim of securing long-term growth while keeping control of the parts of the sport that most affect clubs and fans. In his strongest...