Rugby Australia (RA) has reported an impressive financial recovery with a $106 million turnaround, celebrating a record profit of $70.8 million for 2025 during its annual general meeting in Sydney. This success follows a challenging previous year, which ended with a significant loss of $36.8 million.
The recent British and Irish Lions tour significantly contributed to this financial boost, drawing approximately 40,000 fans from overseas and surpassing RA’s revenue forecasts by around 40%. Looking forward, RA anticipates another financial windfall of about $100 million from the upcoming Rugby World Cup, alongside the establishment of a ‘future fund’ aimed at securing long-term profitability and sustainability for the sport in Australia.
Phil Waugh, RA’s chief executive, expressed optimism regarding the future, stating that this historic surplus positions Australian rugby for growth and renewed clarity moving forward. He emphasised the organisation’s commitment to resetting its finances and establishing a robust strategic direction to enhance the sport’s prospects.
Super Rugby Pacific has also seen a successful year in 2025, demonstrating increases in attendance by 6% and a notable rise in viewership on streaming services, with ratings climbing by 27% on Stan Sport and 13% on Nine.
RA chairman Daniel Herbert highlighted the unity within Australian rugby and the solid foundation established after an extensive organisational reset in 2024. He acknowledged the tremendous opportunities ahead, particularly with the men’s and women’s Rugby World Cups set to be hosted in Australia in 2027 and 2029 respectively.
Although progress has been made, Herbert recognised the ongoing work required to develop a sustainable model for Australian rugby. In a final note, Kristy Giteau was re-elected as RA president for a second term, reaffirming leadership stability as the sport navigates this potentially transformative period.