NRL crowds are up in 2025—but it’s not all good news

Heading into Round 27, the NRL is on track to break the four million attendance milestone for the first time ever in a regular season.

Across the entire NRL, the average crowd figure currently sits at an impressive 20,332 according to Austadiums.

Yet while overall it’s been a big year, there’s a large Sydney-sized elephant in the room.

Of the nine Sydney NRL teams, seven are anchored to the bottom of the 2025 home crowd ladder when you exclude the somewhat distorting figures from Magic Round, neutral venues and double headers.

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According to aggregated data presented by League Unlimited, the Bulldogs and Roosters have led the way for Sydney clubs in 2025, sitting second and fifth respectively for home attendances. 

However beyond these figures, it’s a very different story and one that’s no doubt raising some concerns at NRL headquarters.

Yes, there are excuses for the low turnouts, not least Sydney’s terrible winter weather this season. 

There’s also the fact that four-time reigning premiers Penrith have been forced to play 40km away in Parramatta, as their home ground continues to be redeveloped.

But that doesn’t explain the underwhelming numbers for many matches in 2025.

According to Austadiums all five of the season’s lowest crowds have been in Sydney, the worst turnout being on 23rd March when just 6,211 fans turned up to Jubilee Stadium as the Dragons faced 2024 NRL grand finalists Melbourne. 

Somewhat paradoxically the season’s two biggest crowds were also in Sydney—Bulldogs versus Rabbitohs (65,305) and Bulldogs versus Eels (59,878)—both at the game’s largest venue, Accor Stadium.

In even better news, seven NRL clubs have averaged more than 20,000 fans at their home games in 2025 while two—the Broncos and Bulldogs—have averaged more than 30,000.

Looking to the future, planned facilities upgrades such as those earmarked for the Tigers and Sharks are likely to boost Sydney crowd numbers in coming seasons, as will completion of the new Panthers Stadium.

But will it be enough to consistently change things for the better in rugby league’s biggest Australian market? 

Time will tell.

Average NRL Home Crowds after Round 26, 2025

Average home crowds exclude neutral venues, double headers & Magic Round.

SOURCE: League Unlimited, The Front Row, Issue 26, 2025.