NRL Clubs Monetise Home Games Amid 2025 Draw Adjustments

The NRL has released the full schedule for the 2025 Telstra Premiership season, showcasing significant changes aimed at bolstering the competition’s appeal. The season will feature several high-profile matchups, including the opening double-header in Las Vegas, where the Penrith Panthers face the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks, and the Canberra Raiders take on the New Zealand Warriors.

Other notable adjustments include the timing of key rounds, enhanced scheduling for marquee matches, and a focus on spreading games across a variety of time slots to maximise fan engagement. These changes align with the NRL’s strategic priorities to grow the sport’s reach domestically and internationally.

A key highlight of the 2025 schedule is the increasing trend of clubs selling home games to alternative venues, a strategy employed by clubs of all sizes. The Dolphins will again play one of their home games to Perth, and the Penrith Panthers will play a home fixture to Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium as part of the Magic Round.

Notable games include:

• Dolphins: The Dolphins have scheduled a home game at Perth’s Optus Stadium against the Newcastle Knights.
• South Sydney Rabbitohs: The Rabbitohs will return to Glen Willow Stadium in Mudgee for the annual Charity Shield match against the St George Illawarra Dragons, as well as play games in Perth in 2025 and 2026.
• Penrith Panthers: With their home ground undergoing redevelopment, the Panthers will play eight home games at Commbank Stadium in Parramatta. Additionally, they will host one game in Mudgee, one in Bathurst, and participate in the Magic Round at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane.
• Wests Tigers: The Tigers have scheduled four home games at Commbank Stadium, four at Campbelltown Sports Stadium, three at Leichhardt Oval, and one during the Magic Round at Suncorp Stadium.
• New Zealand Warriors: The Warriors have committed to playing at least one home game in Christchurch, continuing their efforts to connect with fans across New Zealand.

These moves are not limited to smaller clubs seeking revenue opportunities but also embraced by high-performing teams looking to diversify their market presence. This strategy allows clubs to engage with new audiences and generate additional match-day revenue while contributing to the NRL’s broader goal of national growth.

By strategically aligning the fixture schedule with commercial opportunities, the 2025 season promises to deliver strong financial returns and a deeper connection with fans across Australia and internationally.

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