Breaking News: Australia Allocates $600 Million for PNG’s NRL Team Establishment
In a landmark move, the Australian government has pledged $600 million to support Papua New Guinea’s entry into the National Rugby League (NRL). This funding, part of a broader initiative to strengthen ties with Pacific nations, will finance the establishment of a PNG-based NRL team, set to join the competition by 2028.
The financial package includes a $60 million licensing fee, distributed among existing NRL clubs, and additional funding for team operations, infrastructure, education, and social programs. This investment underscores the importance of rugby league as a cultural and unifying force in PNG, where the sport is passionately followed.
PNG’s Prime Minister James Marape praised the move as a “game-changer,” highlighting its potential to create jobs, boost economic growth, and nurture local rugby talent. The team’s base in Port Moresby will serve as a hub for regional development, ensuring PNG’s presence on the global rugby stage.
This expansion aligns with the NRL’s vision of becoming a 20-team competition by 2032, with PNG’s entry following another planned addition in 2027. Rugby league enthusiasts and policymakers alike anticipate this move to strengthen the sport’s influence in the Pacific.
For more updates, stay tuned as PNG gears up for this historic step into the NRL arena.