Next Expansion Team

[GCRV]

3 choices

Who will become the competition's 18th team?​

After two wins in two weeks from the Dolphins, attention has immediately turned to whether or not the NRL can add yet another club in the coming years. There was plenty of debate prior to the introduction of the NRL's 17th team, with the lack of high-profile recruits to the Redcliffe-based franchise raising some serious alarm bells.

But after a hot start and fans turning out in droves for the Dolphins, a recent report from News Corp indicated the NRL are looking at moving towards at least one new team and possibly as many as 20 in the coming years. Brisbane, Perth, Papua New Guinea and Pacific Islands have all been touted as potential options - while an old favourite has also been tossed around.

When will the NRL expand to 18 teams?​

While there is no guarantee the NRL is going to expand, it looks more and more likely that it will occur prior to 2027. ARLC boss Peter V'landys revealed the league's powerbrokers would look at the pros and cons before making a decision on an 18th team. “We haven’t put a time on it," he said during a recent interview on Triple M. "It could be in 2025 or it could be in 2027 when the broadcast contract comes up for renewal.

Who will be the NRL's next team?​

There are plenty of options for the NRL's next franchise, with plenty of opportunities across Australia and abroad. A potential Pasifika or PNG side has been earmarked for the coming years, while the likes of Perth and New Zealand could also be considered. But according to Phil Gould, the next club should again come from the south-east region of Queensland. “I said for years that Brisbane needed a second team and now I think they need a third team,” he said on Six Tackles with Gus.

Will the North Sydney Bears return to the NRL?​

In short, the North Sydney Bears are highly unlikely to ever return to first grade in their previous and historic form. However, a potential merger with a new bidder such as PNG or Pasifika could allow the Bears name to live on. Bears chairman Daniel Dickson believes it could work for all parties if the famous club was re-introduced to first grade in a new form.

Central Coast Bears or bust.

 

[Eric]

3 choices

Who will become the competition's 18th team?​

After two wins in two weeks from the Dolphins, attention has immediately turned to whether or not the NRL can add yet another club in the coming years. There was plenty of debate prior to the introduction of the NRL's 17th team, with the lack of high-profile recruits to the Redcliffe-based franchise raising some serious alarm bells.

But after a hot start and fans turning out in droves for the Dolphins, a recent report from News Corp indicated the NRL are looking at moving towards at least one new team and possibly as many as 20 in the coming years. Brisbane, Perth, Papua New Guinea and Pacific Islands have all been touted as potential options - while an old favourite has also been tossed around.

When will the NRL expand to 18 teams?​

While there is no guarantee the NRL is going to expand, it looks more and more likely that it will occur prior to 2027. ARLC boss Peter V'landys revealed the league's powerbrokers would look at the pros and cons before making a decision on an 18th team. “We haven’t put a time on it," he said during a recent interview on Triple M. "It could be in 2025 or it could be in 2027 when the broadcast contract comes up for renewal.

Who will be the NRL's next team?​

There are plenty of options for the NRL's next franchise, with plenty of opportunities across Australia and abroad. A potential Pasifika or PNG side has been earmarked for the coming years, while the likes of Perth and New Zealand could also be considered. But according to Phil Gould, the next club should again come from the south-east region of Queensland. “I said for years that Brisbane needed a second team and now I think they need a third team,” he said on Six Tackles with Gus.

Will the North Sydney Bears return to the NRL?​

In short, the North Sydney Bears are highly unlikely to ever return to first grade in their previous and historic form. However, a potential merger with a new bidder such as PNG or Pasifika could allow the Bears name to live on. Bears chairman Daniel Dickson believes it could work for all parties if the famous club was re-introduced to first grade in a new form.

Central Coast Bears or bust.

Have to be teams in new major cities. Perth is a no brainer. So then Wellington or Adelaide. Force the Shonkies to go to Perth and a new team in Wellington for me.

 

[RedV01]

3 choices

Who will become the competition's 18th team?​

After two wins in two weeks from the Dolphins, attention has immediately turned to whether or not the NRL can add yet another club in the coming years. There was plenty of debate prior to the introduction of the NRL's 17th team, with the lack of high-profile recruits to the Redcliffe-based franchise raising some serious alarm bells.

But after a hot start and fans turning out in droves for the Dolphins, a recent report from News Corp indicated the NRL are looking at moving towards at least one new team and possibly as many as 20 in the coming years. Brisbane, Perth, Papua New Guinea and Pacific Islands have all been touted as potential options - while an old favourite has also been tossed around.

When will the NRL expand to 18 teams?​

While there is no guarantee the NRL is going to expand, it looks more and more likely that it will occur prior to 2027. ARLC boss Peter V'landys revealed the league's powerbrokers would look at the pros and cons before making a decision on an 18th team. “We haven’t put a time on it," he said during a recent interview on Triple M. "It could be in 2025 or it could be in 2027 when the broadcast contract comes up for renewal.

Who will be the NRL's next team?​

There are plenty of options for the NRL's next franchise, with plenty of opportunities across Australia and abroad. A potential Pasifika or PNG side has been earmarked for the coming years, while the likes of Perth and New Zealand could also be considered. But according to Phil Gould, the next club should again come from the south-east region of Queensland. “I said for years that Brisbane needed a second team and now I think they need a third team,” he said on Six Tackles with Gus.

Will the North Sydney Bears return to the NRL?​

In short, the North Sydney Bears are highly unlikely to ever return to first grade in their previous and historic form. However, a potential merger with a new bidder such as PNG or Pasifika could allow the Bears name to live on. Bears chairman Daniel Dickson believes it could work for all parties if the famous club was re-introduced to first grade in a new form.

Central Coast Bears or bust.

• Manly forced relocation to Gosford.
• Shonkies forced relocation to Perth
• New team in Adelaide or Wellington

 

[Eric]

The who, when and where of NRL expansion​

The road to 18 teams

• - NRL will expand to 18 teams most likely before 2027
• - PNG and/or Pasifika team is the front-runner
• - The Bears have put their hand up to be part of any bid provided they keep their name, colours and play two games at North Sydney Oval
• - PNG Bid 2025 team are ramping up their push for inclusion after touring NRL clubs.
• - The PNG bid could link with the Bears, Cairns or Brisbane Firehawks.

The road to 20 teams

• - Some have called for three extra teams
• - The NRL will explore this option but it is a while away
• - A second New Zealand team (combined with Pasikia if they aren’t the 18th team) will be the leading bid
• - Another team in Melbourne or a return to Western Australia looms as the next option
• - Teams would be split into conferences

 

[Morgan]

First look into PNG’s expansion bid to become 18th team​

The race to become the NRL’s 18th franchise is heating up and one bid team has taken a big step towards winning the battle.​

PNG has ramped up its bid to become the NRL’s latest franchise with a strong contingent from its bid team touring NRL club facilities and engaging in discussions with the federal government. Sandis Tsaka (PNG Rugby League chairman), Stanley Hondina (chief executive) and ex-Bulldogs boss Andrew Hill (strategic adviser to PNG’s 2025 bid team) toured Penrith and were guests of the Sea Eagles for their clash against Parramatta on Thursday night. PNG is considered a frontrunner to at the very least headline a Pasifika team when the NRL expands its competition to 18 teams.