Rugby is one of the most popular sports worldwide, but there’s often a debate about which format—rugby league or rugby union—is bigger in terms of global reach, fanbase, and financial success. While both share common roots, they have distinct histories, rules, and audiences that set them apart.
In this article, we’ll compare rugby league vs. rugby union in terms of participation, popularity, revenue, and global influence to determine which version of the sport is truly bigger.
A Brief History: Rugby League vs. Rugby Union
Both formats of rugby originated in England during the 19th century, with rugby union being the original form of the sport. Rugby league emerged in 1895 after a split from rugby union over the issue of player payments.
The Northern Rugby Football Union (which later became the Rugby Football League) was formed as a professional alternative, allowing players to be compensated, while rugby union remained an amateur sport until 1995. This historic divide continues to influence both games today.
Popularity and Global Reach
One of the biggest factors in determining which code is bigger is its popularity worldwide.
Rugby Union’s Global Influence
Rugby union is played in over 100 countries and is governed by World Rugby. It has a major presence in traditional powerhouses such as:
- New Zealand
- Australia
- South Africa
- England
- France
The sport also has emerging popularity in countries like Japan, Argentina, and the USA. The Rugby World Cup, which occurs every four years, is one of the biggest sporting events in the world, with the 2019 tournament in Japan attracting a global audience of 857 million viewers.
Rugby League’s Reach
Rugby league, while also popular, has a smaller footprint. It is played in around 30 countries, with the strongest presence in:
- Australia
- England
- New Zealand
- Papua New Guinea (where it is the national sport)
The Rugby League World Cup is also held every four years but garners far fewer viewers than its union counterpart. The 2021 Rugby League World Cup attracted an audience of approximately 29.5 million viewers worldwide.
Verdict: In terms of global reach and influence, rugby union is significantly bigger than rugby league.
Participation and Player Base
Rugby Union Participation Numbers
According to World Rugby, there are around 8.5 million registered rugby union players worldwide, with grassroots participation growing in countries like the USA, China, and Brazil.
Rugby League Participation
The International Rugby League (IRL) estimates that there are around 500,000 active rugby league players globally, which is far fewer than those playing rugby union.
Verdict: Rugby union dominates in participation numbers, making it the bigger sport in terms of player base.
Revenue and Financial Strength
Rugby Union’s Financial Power
Rugby union generates significantly higher revenue due to its global tournaments and commercial appeal. The Rugby World Cup 2019 generated $2.3 billion USD in economic impact, while top club competitions such as:
- The Six Nations Championship
- The Rugby Championship
- The English Premiership
- Super Rugby Pacific
contribute millions in sponsorship deals and broadcast rights.
The highest-paid rugby union players, such as Cheslin Kolbe and Charles Piutau, earn up to $1.5 million USD per year playing for top European clubs.
Rugby League’s Earnings
Rugby league’s revenue is primarily driven by Australia’s NRL (National Rugby League), which is one of the most commercially successful rugby competitions in the world. The 2023 NRL Grand Final had a viewership of over 3.1 million, and the league has secured billion-dollar broadcast deals.
However, outside of Australia and England, rugby league does not generate nearly as much revenue. The highest-paid league players, such as Kalyn Ponga and James Tedesco, earn around $1.4 million AUD per year, which is comparable to top union players but within a much smaller league.
Verdict: Rugby union wins financially, with a much higher global revenue and stronger commercial presence.
Which Sport Has the Bigger Clubs?
When comparing domestic leagues, rugby league is strongest in Australia’s NRL, while rugby union dominates in Europe and the southern hemisphere.
Rugby League’s Biggest Club Competition
The NRL is the highest level of professional rugby league, attracting millions of viewers per season. The Super League, based in England, is the next biggest competition but does not have the same financial power or global following.
Rugby Union’s Major Club Competitions
Rugby union features multiple strong club competitions across different continents, such as:
- The English Premiership
- France’s Top 14
- Super Rugby Pacific (Australia, New Zealand, and Pacific teams)
- The United Rugby Championship (Ireland, Wales, Scotland, Italy, and South Africa)
These leagues attract top talent from around the world and generate significant revenue through ticket sales, sponsorships, and TV rights.
Verdict: Rugby union has more major leagues and bigger club competitions worldwide.
Which Sport Has More Fans?
Rugby Union’s Global Fan Base
According to World Rugby, rugby union has around 800 million fans worldwide, with major international tournaments driving engagement.
Rugby League’s Audience
Rugby league’s fan base is significantly smaller, with an estimated 150 million fans worldwide.
Verdict: Rugby union has a larger global fan base, making it the bigger sport.
Conclusion: Which Rugby Code Is Bigger?
While both rugby league and rugby union have passionate followers, the numbers clearly favor rugby union in terms of: ✔️ Global reach
✔️ Participation numbers
✔️ Financial strength
✔️ Club and international competitions
✔️ Overall fan base
That being said, rugby league remains extremely popular in Australia, England, and New Zealand, with the NRL leading the way in commercial success.
If you prefer a faster-paced, hard-hitting game, rugby league may be for you. If you enjoy global competitions, strategic gameplay, and larger international tournaments, then rugby union is the clear winner.
External High Authority Links
- Learn more about World Rugby’s global reach
- Discover the latest NRL news and updates
- Read about the Rugby World Cup’s record-breaking viewership
- Find out about the highest-paid rugby union players
- Explore the NRL’s billion-dollar TV deal
Call to Action
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See Also: How Does the A-League’s Pre-Season Work?
