Brisbane Broncos Top Australia’s NRL Supporter Ladder for 2024

The latest research from Roy Morgan has revealed a significant increase in the supporter base of the National Rugby League (NRL), reaching over 7.4 million Australians, or 33.1% of the population. This marks a 2.4% increase from the previous year and a notable 39.7% rise over the past four years since 2020.

Leading the pack for the first time since 2020 are the Brisbane Broncos, boasting 1,302,000 supporters. This figure represents a sizeable increase of 152,000 fans over the last year, corresponding to a 13.2% growth. The Brisbane Broncos’ resurgence in support comes in the context of the team reaching the NRL Grand Final last year, despite not repeating that success this season.

Falling into second place is the Melbourne Storm, which had held the top spot for the last four years. The Storm currently has 1,118,000 supporters and remains a dominant force, having been one of the most successful clubs over the past two decades. They are set to play in another Grand Final against the Penrith Panthers this weekend.

Meanwhile, support for the Penrith Panthers, the three-time reigning NRL Premiers, continues to soar. The team’s supporter base grew by 5% to 377,000 fans, doubling since 2020, largely due to their on-field success.

In Sydney, the Parramatta Eels stand as the most supported club with 500,000 fans despite their absence from the finals for two consecutive years. The Sydney Roosters, South Sydney Rabbitohs, and St. George Illawarra Dragons follow, showing substantial support figures.

Other teams that experienced growth in supporter bases include the North Queensland Cowboys, with an 8,000 increase to 471,000 supporters, and the Cronulla Sharks, whose support rose by 8% to 235,000. The Australian-based supporters of the New Zealand Warriors climbed 18.3% to 194,000, emphasizing a broader interest across the league.

The NRL maintains a strong presence on television as well, with 7.1 million Australians having watched the competitions on TV, a 4.7% increase compared to last year. The State of Origin series between New South Wales and Queensland remains the most watched NRL event, drawing 5.9 million spectators.

Julian McCrann, Industry Communications Director at Roy Morgan, noted the Broncos’ achievement, “The Brisbane Broncos may have missed the NRL finals and parted ways with coach Kevin Walters, but the club leads Roy Morgan’s annual NRL Club Support Ladder with 1,302,000 supporters.” He further stated the city’s status, “Brisbane is the only city in Australia with two clubs over 1 million supporters.”