NSWRL is on track to surpass 120,000 participants for consecutive seasons as the 2026 Community Rugby League season prepares to kick-off tomorrow (Saturday 11 April), with competitions to run across 25 areas in metropolitan Sydney and regional NSW.
The NSWRL broke participation records for the third consecutive season in 2025 with 122,430 total participants signing up to play the Game for All (a 4.1 per cent increase from 117,557 in 2024).
Male participants reached 89,124 (a 1.7 per cent increase from 87,124 in 2024), while female participants, which accounted for 27 per cent of total participants, finished at 33,306 (an 11 per cent increase from 29,965 in 2024).
The early figures are just as encouraging for the 2026 season with registrations not cutting off until June 30.
Licensed Clubs across NSW are playing a significant role in providing subsidies to help ease the financial pressures on families.
“NSWRL is grateful for the support Licensed Clubs continue to provide which assists with the costs for registration, insurance, playing kits and equipment to keep our players on the field," NSWRL Chief Executive David Trodden said.
“There is always plenty of excitement around the start of the Community Rugby League season as it is truly the Game for All regardless of age, background or ability.
“Rugby League helps to build lifelong friendships, teaches resilience, and the importance of being part of and contributing to a team.
“NSWRL is extremely proud of the work that has been done to break participation records on a yearly basis, and the signs are positive again for 2026.
“Rugby League offers plenty of ways to get involved, whether as a player, a coach, an official or a volunteer, and I encourage everyone to reach out to their local club and be part of what is already shaping up to be another tremendous season.”
Some of the highlights for the 2026 season include:
• The Tackle Ready program continues to have a positive impact on growth for juniors at entry level up to Under 7s - with Group 1 JRL (Northern Rivers), Group 2 (North Coast), Group 6 JRL and Wests Tigers Macarthur JRL, Penrith District JRL, Canterbury, South Sydney, Hunter JRL, Cronulla JRL, Group 21 JRL already surpassing their 2025 Under 7s registration figures;
• Group 20 to host a Magic Round in Leeton and Group 7 to host a Magic Round in Kiama this weekend;
• Outback Rugby League returning with their pre-season carnival on April 26 in Broken Hill;
• A pre-season Community Cup in the Castlereagh League which has seen the return of a Rugby League team in Gulargambone Galahs for the first time in more than 15 years and Trangie Magpies back on deck for the first time since 2023;
• Group 10 JRL and Cronulla JRL surpassing their 2025 total female registrations;
• Narrabri Blues returning to the Group 4 senior competition;
• Group 3 to host an Indigenous All Stars v All Stars match at Wauchope;
• Newcastle Rugby League to host a Magic Round in Maitland;
• Hamilton Ducks returning to the Newcastle Hunter Rugby League competition;
• Former NRL stars giving back to community competitions including Lachlan Fitzgibbon (South Newcastle), Andrew and David Fifita (Kincumber Colts), Corey Allan and Brent Naden (Thirroul Butchers), Ben Murdoch-Masila and Raymond Faitala-Mariner (Corrimal Cougars).
There are competitions kicking off in 12 regions/areas for both seniors and juniors across NSW this weekend with more to follow in both April and May.
NSWRL COMMUNITY RUGBY LEAGUE KICK-OFF DATES
APRIL
Saturday 11
Balmain Junior Rugby League
South Sydney
Manly Warringah
St George Junior Rugby League
Canberra Region Rugby League
Rugby League Central Coast Seniors
Hastings League
Newcastle Hunter Rugby League
Newcastle Rugby League
South Coast Group 7
Group 19
Group 21
Saturday 18
Castlereagh League
Group 3 Senior Rugby League
Group 3 Junior Rugby League
Group 4
Group 9 Senior Rugby League
Group 20 Senior Rugby League
Sunday 19
Peter McDonald Premiership
Friday 24
Illawarra
Saturday 25
Woodbridge Cup
MAY
Saturday 2
Rugby League Central Coast (Juniors)
Dubbo and District Junior Rugby League
Hunter Junior Rugby League
Group 14
Sunday 17
Outback Rugby League
Saturday 30
Proten Cup
