A 17-team NRLW competition could be on its way as broadcast deal beckons
As the NRLW competition expands again this year, there is growing hope a major expansion to mirror the men’s comp isn’t far away.
NRL
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Fox League presenter Lara Pitt hopes the NRLW will soon reach the stage where every NRL club fields a team in the booming women’s competition.
The 10-team competition has this year expanded to 12 in an all new look for the women’s game, including a top six incentive.
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But a competition that commenced with just four teams back in 2018 could have a full slate of teams right around the corner.
“The end game would have to be to see every NRL club have their own NRLW side,” Pitt said.
“How quickly they do that will entirely come down to the way the NRL looks at it from a strategic perspective, whether there’s enough talent coming through.
“I’m hoping there’s the right people at NRL HQ looking at that very closely to ensure we don’t expand too quickly.
“However, it’s my understanding that when they negotiate the new CBA deal for the girls, which I believe is going to be done ahead of the 2028 season, that’s when it looks like we could have equal men’s and women’s teams.
“So it’s not far away. We’re only five teams off.”
Pitt is set to lead Fox and Kayo’s weekly show, NRLW on Fox, kicking off before the season opener on July 3 between the Cronulla Sharks and Parramatta Eels.
This season’s expansion means the Dolphins, Storm, Panthers, Sea Eagles and Rabbitohs are the only remaining clubs without an NRLW side, which might not be for long.
The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs are the newest to the pack in 2025, joined by a Warriors side returning to the competition for the first time since 2020, bringing a slew of cross-code talent with them.
“It says a lot about where the NRLW is going,” the Fox host said.
“And I’m sure that rugby union isn’t happy about it, but the fact is the (league) comps are only getting better.”
The move of stars from union to league has come thick and fast in recent years with more women seeing potential in the game and a growing supporter base with the backing of the code.
“There are people out there that want to see what the next chapter of their careers look like, so that will only encourage more people to follow Women’s Rugby League, which is really exciting,” Pitt said.
“Any coach in the NRLW that’s worked with girls that have come from the Sevens program will say they are elite and they bring a great level of professionalism into the NRLW environment.
“So that’s only going to be a good thing for the young girls that are learning how it’s done.”
The game has progressed by a mile since four teams started things off in 2018, but for Pitt, there’s always room for more.
“I’ve dubbed it (2025) the season of more because more teams means more new faces, more rivalries and one more week of finals,” she said.
Originally published as A 17-team NRLW competition could be on its way as broadcast deal beckons
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