The Brisbane Broncos have once again staked their claim as the powerhouse of Australian rugby league, topping the charts as the nation’s most supported NRL club for the second consecutive year. According to the latest Roy Morgan data, the Broncos boast an extraordinary 1,271,000 supporters, underlining their enduring popularity despite nearly two decades without premiership success.
The six-time champions last lifted the NRL trophy in 2006, yet their ability to command loyalty and grow their fanbase remains unrivalled. In fact, the Broncos’ continued dominance in the stands mirrors their consistency on the pitch. The club has now featured in nine NRL Grand Finals since 1988, a figure surpassed only by their modern rivals, the Melbourne Storm.
And it is the Storm who sit second in the latest rankings, drawing 1,149,000 supporters nationwide — an increase of 31,000 from last year. Having featured in a staggering 12 Grand Finals since 1988, Melbourne’s place among the most-followed clubs comes as little surprise. Their last title triumph came in 2020, and their recent runs to the Grand Final have only strengthened their national reach.
Closer to Sydney, the race for the city’s most supported club remains tight. The Sydney Roosters lead the way with 502,000 supporters, climbing by almost 6% compared to last year. Known for their sustained success, the Roosters have reached eight Grand Finals since 1988 and celebrated back-to-back titles in 2018 and 2019.
Not far behind are the Parramatta Eels, who command 433,000 supporters. Despite enduring the longest premiership drought in NRL history — stretching back 39 years to 1986 — their popularity is a testament to one of the most passionate supporter bases in the competition. Fans remain loyal, with many believing the Eels’ next golden era is not far away.
The South Sydney Rabbitohs complete the top three for Sydney-based teams with 403,000 supporters. The pride of Redfern remain the most successful NRL club in history, with 21 Premierships to their name, the most recent in 2014. Their history, combined with their community connection, continues to make them one of the game’s biggest drawcards.
But the data also sparked fierce debate — particularly over the standing of the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles, who ranked just 11th with 305,000 supporters. For a club steeped in history and once synonymous with success, the low position has left fans divided. Critics argue that Manly’s struggles with consistency, internal politics, and identity have contributed to their decline in nationwide popularity. Others, however, insist the figures fail to reflect the club’s strong cultural roots on Sydney’s Northern Beaches.
One fan vented on social media: “Manly’s numbers don’t tell the full story. Our fanbase might be smaller, but it’s one of the most loyal in the NRL. We live and breathe Sea Eagles.” Another was less forgiving: “This is exactly why people say we’ve lost our way. For a club that’s won eight Premierships, being 11th is embarrassing.”
The debate highlights the ongoing tension between raw support figures and cultural influence in rugby league. While the Broncos and Storm dominate the numbers, clubs like Manly, Parramatta, and South Sydney remain at the heart of community rivalries and traditions that fuel the sport.
What the data makes clear, however, is the NRL’s broad reach across the country. From Brisbane’s dominance in Queensland to Melbourne’s growth in Victoria, and from Sydney’s inner suburbs to the Northern Beaches, rugby league continues to thrive on passion, loyalty, and generational support.
For the Broncos, being crowned Australia’s most supported club again is another reminder of their immense pulling power — and with their young squad pushing for future glory, the club may yet match its massive fanbase with long-awaited on-field triumphs.
As for Manly, the figures may sting, but perhaps they also provide fuel. If ever a club has thrived on proving the doubters wrong, it’s the Sea Eagles.
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