Sydney provided the perfect backdrop for an unforgettable 2025 NRL Grand Final, where rugby league’s sheer energy swept through a packed Accor Stadium. Rugby league fans turned out in force to witness Brisbane end a 19-year wait for the premiership, defeating Melbourne 26-22 in a match brimming with drama and skill.
What truly set this Grand Final apart was its unprecedented resonance beyond the stadium. The broadcast became the most-watched program in Australia for the year, with a national television reach of over 6.4 million and an average audience of 4.46 million.
Streaming audiences were equally impressive, as 1.3 million tuned into 9Now, making it the country’s highest-rated livestreamed sports event ever.
Figures dwarfed those of previous years and even edged out the AFL’s decider, a first in over a decade.
Digital and social platforms buzzed at historic levels. Grand Final week produced record peaks, with official league content pulling in millions of views and sparking major online engagement, especially among younger Australians.
For Sydney’s footy faithful and neutrals alike, it was a celebration of the game’s magnetic appeal, unity, and the way sport continues to bring Australia together in new and powerful ways.
