The National Rugby League (NRL) has officially started its campaign to be included in the 2032 Olympic Games in Brisbane. Talks are underway between NRL officials and the Brisbane 2032 Organising Committee to make this dream a reality.
The sport’s leaders are considering several versions of rugby league for the Games. These include tackle rugby, tag football, and touch football. Among these, touch football is seen as the most likely option due to its simple rules and non-contact format.
Brisbane 2032 committee president Andrew Liveris recently confirmed that the NRL had presented a strong case for the sport’s inclusion. He praised the league’s global audience and growing number of players, especially in Australia and the Pacific.
Touch football is currently played by around 700,000 people in Australia. It is also seen as a sport that encourages both men and women to play together. This mixed format may make it more attractive for Olympic selection. The recent approval of flag football, a non-contact version of American football, for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles gives further hope to touch football’s supporters.
Many top rugby league players started out in touch football before moving on to the professional league. This pathway shows how touch football helps develop talent at the grassroots level.
The NRL’s Olympic bid must go through the International Rugby League (IRL), which is the global governing body for the sport. All Olympic sport proposals must meet several requirements set by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). These include following the Olympic Charter and rules around anti-doping and athlete conduct.
The IOC normally confirms the full list of Olympic sports about seven years before the event. For Brisbane, the list was expected in 2025. However, due to delays in planning and infrastructure development, the IOC has moved the deadline to 2026.
The Queensland government only finalized its full plan for Olympic venues in March 2025. This delay has given more time for sports like rugby league to make their case for inclusion.
The NRL is not the only sport aiming for a spot at the Games. Many sports are currently talking to the Brisbane committee about joining the Olympic program. The committee is meeting with each group to decide which sports will be selected.
The NRL believes its popularity in both urban and regional areas of Australia adds strength to its proposal. It also sees the 2032 Olympics as a perfect time to show the world the fast, exciting, and team-driven style of rugby league.
In recent years, the NRL has worked hard to grow its international reach. It launched a season-opening match in Las Vegas and has increased its support for teams and players in the Pacific Islands. These steps show that the sport is becoming more global, which is important for Olympic selection.
The next twelve months are important. The NRL will work closely with the IRL to submit a detailed proposal to the IOC. This will include facts about player numbers, global interest, safety, and the sport’s ability to meet Olympic standards.
If the bid is successful, it would be a major moment in Australian sporting history. Rugby league has long been a key part of the country’s culture. Having it on the Olympic stage would bring more attention to the sport and inspire new players around the world.
