International Rugby League reveals operating losses but appetite for internationals grows across the world

International Rugby League (IRL) has released their Annual Report for 2024, and it makes for interesting reading in terms of numbers, from financial to participation figures.

The report states that in 2024, there were a record 72 international fixtures across the men’s, women’s and wheelchair games for a non-World Cup year.

In fact, the only year that there have been more internationals was during the 2021 Rugby League World Cup year (held in 2022), as those competitions were held concurrently.

It was also an increase of eight from 2023, where 64 international games were played across the world.

Other highlights included the men’s and women’s Rugby League World Cup qualifiers for 2026, the Pacific Championships held down under and Samoa’s tour of England.

When it comes to the figures, IRL are currently operating at a loss from the 2023 balance sheets.

“In the financial year ended 31st December 2023, the company received £224,516 of income and incurred £441,632 of operating costs (expenses). This produced an operating loss of £217,116.

“This is compared to an operating profit of £3,763,620 in the previous financial year.”

However, hosting the Rugby League World Cup in 2022 is the main reason for such an anomaly figure.

What’s the picture for England on the international rugby league stage?

For England rugby league, both the men’s and women’s national sides sit in third position behind Australia in first and New Zealand in second.

However, the men’s side are closing in on New Zealand’s second-place spot following their 2-0 series win over Samoa and New Zealand failing to qualify for last year’s Pacific Championship final.

England’s wheelchair team currently occupy top spot after a successful World Cup campaign, but over the past two years, they’re in a 2-2 draw against their French rivals, having played four matches against them.

The IRL will be hoping for a successful England versus Australia Ashes series in the UK as well as the Pacific Championship Cup battle between New Zealand, Tonga and Samoa, and the Championship Bowl between Fiji, the Cook Islands and Papua New Guinea.

All of that is leading up to the 2026 Rugby League World Cup in the southern hemisphere will see rugby league growing on an international basis.

With a TV deal up for grabs currently, it could be the biggest World Cup that rugby league has ever seen.