Billionaire Roosters chairman Nick Politis has emerged as a significant advocate for the establishment of a third NRL team based in Queensland, intensifying the competition for the league’s 20th licence. Politis recently traveled to Brisbane to meet with Australian Rugby League Commission (ARLC) chairman Peter V’landys and Ipswich Jets bid leader Steve Johnson as part of efforts to advance plans for a fifth NRL club in the state.
Until recently, a second New Zealand franchise was widely considered the frontrunner for the expansion slot, due in part to the success of the New Zealand Warriors and strong television ratings in that market. However, the expansion race now appears more open following high-level discussions involving Queensland Premier David Crisafulli and influential figures such as Politis and multiple premiership-winning coach Wayne Bennett, who is from Brisbane’s western corridor.
Politis, whose net worth is estimated at $4.59 billion, has called for the next NRL team to be located in Brisbane’s western suburbs, arguing the region’s substantial population and economic growth make it a prime candidate. “If you look at Christchurch, it’s got around 400,000 people. Brisbane has three or four million,” Politis said. He emphasized the need to bolster rugby league’s presence in Queensland amid growing competition from the Australian Football League (AFL) in the southwest corridor stretching from northern Brisbane to Ipswich and Toowoomba.
The proposed western Brisbane team would join the existing Queensland franchises: the Broncos, Dolphins, Titans, and Cowboys. The area, compared to Penrith’s development success in New South Wales, benefits from established grassroots infrastructure that could support a team as early as 2029.
V’landys acknowledged the appeal of both New Zealand and Queensland for the 20th licence. While he praised New Zealand’s progress, citing the Warriors’ performance and a significant increase in television rights revenue linked to the country, he confirmed Queensland remains a strong contender, particularly the Ipswich region endorsed by Politis. The ARLC intends to announce the successful bid before the end of the year.
New Zealand’s bid is bolstered by the recent opening of the $556 million One New Zealand Stadium in Christchurch, a state-of-the-art venue expected to enhance the franchise’s viability. Meanwhile, a new bid involving Logan City Council has also entered the conversation, further intensifying competition within Queensland.
As the decision approaches, the contrasting strengths of the bids—New Zealand’s established fan base and modern stadium, versus Queensland’s larger market and existing rugby league infrastructure—will be key factors for the ARLC to consider in shaping the future landscape of professional rugby league.