The NRL has taken its next giant leap in the women’s game, with Canterbury and the returning Warriors to join a 12-team NRLW competition for 2025.
Chief executive Andrew Abdo confirmed the changes on Thursday, after the two new teams were first revealed by AAP earlier this month.
The addition of the new teams means the NRLW competition will extend to an 11-week regular season from next year.
The finals will remain a four-team competition over two weeks.
The NRLW will again start after State of Origin, and the grand final will continue to be played alongside the men’s decider on the October long weekend.
The two-team expansion follows an agreement struck between the NRL and players’ union in early 2022, and continues a rapid expansion of the competition.
Only four sides played in the 2020 NRLW, before it grew to six teams in 2022 and 10 in 2023.
Officials are confident the standard of the competition can be retained amid its speedy growth.
“The women’s game has gone to another level with the skill level and quality of the games being extraordinary,” ARL Commission chairman Peter V’landys said.
“This is evidenced by the popularity of the NRLW competition.
“Last year, over a million viewers tuned in to watch the NRLW grand final, and we are looking forward to an even bigger and better competition in 2025.
“Investments into participation and pathways will ensure that new teams are competitive.”
By the time the Bulldogs and Warriors enter next year, the Dolphins, Manly, South Sydney, Penrith and Melbourne will be the only NRL outfits without women’s sides.
The Warriors’ return to the competition comes after they last featured in 2020, but withdrew due to travel complications brought about by COVID-19.
The push had long been on for their return, particularly given the footprint the club offers the sport in New Zealand.
Canterbury have made no secret of their long-held desire for a side, and have long entered women’s teams in lower-grade and development competitions.
The expansion is likely to be the last until at least 2028, under the current collective bargaining agreement.
However, that timeline could change if an agreement is struck between the NRL and Rugby League Players’ Association.
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