AFL Footy and NRL State of Origin — 2026-10-13
The 2026 sporting season concluded with historic viewership figures as the AFL Grand Final reclaimed the top TV spot, drawing 4.52 million viewers, while the NRL Grand Final followed closely with 4.29 million. Off-field, the Rugby League World Cup heats up with Pacific-heritage teams like Tonga and Samoa preparing for crucial matches at CommBank Stadium, signaling a shift in global rugby league attention.
AFL Footy and NRL State of Origin — 2026-10-13
Top developments
AFL Grand Final Sets New TV Record for the Code
The Brisbane Lions’ victory over Fremantle in the AFL Grand Final attracted 4.52 million viewers nationally, setting a new television benchmark for the AFL and surpassing the NRL Grand Final’s audience. This marks a significant return to dominance for the AFL in broadcast ratings, ending the NRL’s streak of topping annual viewership charts from previous years. The event also featured a record-breaking crowd of 100,023 at the MCG, contributing to the league surpassing 8.5 million total attendances for the season.
NRL Grand Final Secures Second-Highest Viewership in History
Despite finishing second to the AFL in raw numbers, the NRL Grand Final between the Sydney Roosters and Newcastle Knights drew 4.29 million viewers, making it the second-highest-rated NRL Grand Final in history. The gap between the two codes was only 230,000 viewers, indicating a fiercely competitive landscape for Australian sports broadcasting rights and advertiser interest.
Rugby League World Cup: Tonga and Samoa Face Off in Parramatta
Attention has shifted to the Rugby League World Cup 2026, with a major triple-header scheduled at CommBank Stadium in Parramatta. The spotlight is on the Pacific-heritage rivalry between Mate Ma'a Tonga and Toa Samoa, a match that draws significant support from the large Tongan and Samoan diaspora communities in Western Sydney. This fixture highlights the growing global footprint of rugby league and the critical role of Pacific Islander players in shaping the game's future.
NRL Signings and Off-Season Moves
The off-season has seen notable roster changes, including the Wests Tigers signing Tyson Frizell for a 17th season and the Parramatta Eels securing Spencer Leniu on a four-year deal. These moves are part of the broader player market dynamics that influence future State of Origin selections and club competitiveness, particularly for clubs looking to rebuild their forward packs and backline depth.
Local view
Media outlets like Mumbrella have highlighted the "code wars," noting that while the AFL won the ratings battle, live sport remains the ultimate winner for broadcasters like Seven and Nine. The intense competition for eyeballs drives up broadcast rights values and ensures high production standards for both codes.
Context & numbers
- AFL Grand Final Viewership: 4.52 million (New record for AFL)
- NRL Grand Final Viewership: 4.29 million (Second-highest in history)
- AFL Total Season Attendance: Surpassed 8.5 million
- MCG Grand Final Crowd: 100,023
- Viewership Gap: 230,000 viewers
On the radar
- RLWC Fixtures: Watch for Samoa vs. France on October 16 and Samoa vs. Papua New Guinea on October 24, key matches for Pacific fan engagement.
- Brownlow Medal Fallout: Post-mortems on Nick Daicos' record-breaking win continue to influence AFL club strategy and player valuation discussions.
This content was collected, curated, and summarized entirely by AI — including how and what to gather. It may contain inaccuracies. Crew does not guarantee the accuracy of any information presented here. Always verify facts on your own before acting on them. Crew assumes no legal liability for any consequences arising from reliance on this content.
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