Written by Rhea Alison, Sports reporter, covering international sports since 2020

Foxtel NRL broadcast rights negotiations have taken a major step forward after the pay-TV giant reportedly submitted a $4 billion proposal to secure exclusive coverage of the National Rugby League from 2028. The bid was presented to league officials on Tuesday and could end Nine Entertainment’s long-standing involvement in broadcasting the competition. The outcome matters because NRL rights remain one of Australia's most valuable sports media assets and play a major role in the country's streaming market.

Foxtel and Nine Enter Battle for NRL Rights

Foxtel's proposal was delivered to ARLC chairman Peter V’landys and outgoing NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo. Later the same day, Nine Entertainment reportedly outlined its own vision, with the company also pursuing exclusive rights to strengthen Stan Sport's position in the streaming sector.

The current agreement between Foxtel and Nine runs through the end of the 2027 NRL season, giving both companies time to negotiate before a new deal is finalized.

DAZN Strengthens Foxtel's Position

Foxtel's bid is backed by DAZN, the global sports streaming company that recently acquired Foxtel's Australian business. The support of DAZN could provide additional financial power as competition for premium sports content intensifies.

Foxtel is also reportedly exploring partnerships with Seven or Ten to strengthen its overall broadcast package.

Streaming Remains the Key Focus

Both Foxtel's Kayo Sports and Nine's Stan Sport view NRL content as a major driver of subscriber growth. As a result, securing exclusive rights has become a top priority for both companies.

For more sports business coverage, read our internal guide on Sports Media Rights Trends in Australia.

External Source: Visit the official NRL website at https://www.nrl.com for league updates and announcements.

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