NRLW season 2020 to go ahead with grand final in October

Rugby league’s bounce-back from the COVID-19 shutdown continues apace with news the NRLW season will go ahead, with a grand final set for October.

Tamika Upton of the Broncos is tackled by Jessica Sergis of the Dragons during the 2019 NRLW Grand Final between the Brisbane Broncos and the St George Illawarra Dragons at ANZ Stadium in Sydney, Sunday, October 6, 2019. (AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY

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The 2020 NRLW season has officially been given the green light, following concerns the women’s competition would be cancelled this year.

News Corp understands NRL CEO Andrew Abdo told senior women’s players on Tuesday that the competition will go ahead in its usual format despite the coronavirus pandemic.

There were concerns the Roosters and Warriors would be unable to field teams in 2020 due to financial pressure but it is expected they will once again join the Dragons and two-time NRLW premiers, the Broncos, this season.

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The women’s game needs time to get up to speed. Photo: AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts

The four teams will play three rounds, similar to the 2018 and 2019 seasons, with a grand final on October 25 – the same day as the NRL premiership decider.

There could be a longer pre-season of up to six weeks given the players are yet to take part in any state competitions, but it is yet to be confirmed.

A southeast Queensland competition is also on the radar for a possible July start, with a grand final to be played in mid-September.

This would give the players the ability to build up their fitness ahead of the NRLW pre-season.