Broncos Dominate Australia’s NRL Supporter Ladder For Third Straight Year

Premiership success has strengthened Brisbane’s national following, while the Dolphins and Gold Coast Titans have recorded impressive supporter growth.

Premiership success has strengthened Brisbane’s position as Australia’s most widely supported NRL club, while the Dolphins and Gold Coast Titans have recorded impressive growth.

The Brisbane Broncos have retained their position as Australia’s most widely supported NRL club for a third consecutive year.

New research from Roy Morgan estimates the Broncos have 1.405 million supporters across Australia. That represents an increase of 134,000 supporters, or 10.5 per cent, compared with the previous year.

The growth followed Brisbane’s premiership-winning campaign in 2025. That success helped the club extend its lead over every other team in the competition.

Although the Broncos endured a disappointing end to their premiership defence, their national following continued to grow.

Melbourne Storm remained in a clear second position with 1.081 million supporters. However, Storm support declined by 68,000, or 5.9 per cent, over the past year.

Melbourne has now occupied second place on the NRL supporter ladder for three consecutive years. The club’s appearance in the 2025 NRL Grand Final helped it maintain support from more than one million Australians.

The size of the Broncos and Storm supporter bases separates both clubs from the rest of the competition.

Sydney presents a more competitive environment because nine clubs are competing for supporters across the city and surrounding areas.

The Sydney Roosters again emerged as the most widely supported Sydney-based club. Roy Morgan estimated the Roosters had 478,000 supporters.

Parramatta Eels followed with 408,000 supporters, while Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs ranked third among the Sydney clubs with 373,000.

The Bulldogs increased their following by 28,000 supporters, or 8.1 per cent, during the year. Their third-place finish on the 2025 premiership ladder helped generate renewed attention and stronger support.

However, one of the most notable developments involved Queensland’s newest NRL team.

The Dolphins increased their supporter base by 55,000 people to reach 223,000. That represented annual growth of 32.7 per cent, which was the strongest percentage increase among the clubs highlighted by Roy Morgan.

The result moved the Dolphins ahead of both the Cronulla Sharks and Newcastle Knights on the national supporter ladder.

The Dolphins entered the NRL in 2023 and have steadily strengthened their standing within the competition. Their rising support reflects their growing profile across South East Queensland and beyond.

Four other clubs recorded increased support during the latest survey period.

Wests Tigers gained 33,000 supporters, taking their national following to 364,000. This represented annual growth of 10 per cent.

Canberra Raiders attracted an additional 21,000 supporters. Their total reached 278,000, representing growth of 8.2 per cent.

The Gold Coast Titans also recorded a substantial increase. Their supporter base rose by 18,000, or 13.3 per cent, to reach 153,000.

The Titans’ improvement, combined with the strong results for Brisbane and the Dolphins, demonstrated Queensland’s continuing importance to rugby league.

Roy Morgan compiled the supporter figures from interviews conducted between July 2025 and June 2026.

The research included 59,959 Australians aged 14 and older. Support figures for the New Zealand Warriors included Australian-based supporters only.

Beyond club loyalties, the findings revealed significant growth in television audiences.

An estimated 7.6 million Australians now watch the NRL on television. That represents 32.5 per cent of Australians aged 14 and older.

The television audience has increased by 1.46 million people, or 23.8 per cent, since 2022.

State of Origin remains rugby league’s most popular television product.

About 6.2 million Australians watch the annual interstate series between Queensland and New South Wales. That represents 26.4 per cent of Australians aged 14 and older.

The State of Origin television audience has grown by 1.02 million people, or 19.8 per cent, since 2022.

The NRL Grand Final follows closely, attracting an estimated television audience of 5.8 million Australians.

The season decider reaches 24.9 per cent of Australians aged 14 and older. Its audience has increased by 1.074 million, or 22.7 per cent, compared with 2022.

Roy Morgan Industry Communications Director Julian McCrann said three consecutive years at the top demonstrated the enduring strength of the Broncos’ following.

“Following the club’s premiership-winning season in 2025, support for the Broncos increased by more than 130,000 over the last year and the club has extended its lead over the rest of the competition,” Mr McCrann said.

He said Melbourne continued to enjoy support from more than one million Australians, despite recording an annual decline.

Mr McCrann also identified the Dolphins’ growth as one of the most significant results.

“One of the most significant stories this year is the rise of the Dolphins,” he said.

“Support for the club increased by more than 30 per cent over the last year, with the Dolphins now attracting more supporters than both the Cronulla Sharks and Newcastle Knights.”

The figures highlight the relationship between on-field performance, club visibility and supporter growth. However, they also demonstrate the strength of established sporting identities.

Brisbane’s combination of premiership success, regional reach and long-standing support has kept the club comfortably ahead of its rivals.

Meanwhile, the rise of the Dolphins suggests newer clubs can quickly establish substantial supporter bases when backed by a strong regional identity.

Television growth also shows rugby league is reaching Australians who may not identify closely with one club.

State of Origin remains the game’s leading television attraction. However, the expanding NRL and Grand Final audiences indicate broader growth across the code.

With the Broncos retaining top position, Melbourne holding second and Queensland clubs gaining supporters, the 2026 results underline rugby league’s strong position in the Australian sporting landscape.