TV Ratings (28/5/2026): Blues Clean Sweep Proves Winning Formula For Nine

Why It Matters

The ratings surge proves women’s rugby league can attract premium audiences, giving broadcasters and advertisers a lucrative platform and reshaping sports media priorities.

Key Takeaways

• NSW's clean sweep draws 1.99 million national TV reach
• Average audience of 880,000 beats AFL's 539,000 average
• Women's Origin outperforms AFL in both reach and viewership
• Kezie Apps reaches 20th NSW appearance milestone
• Nine's broadcast secures top‑ranked sports rating for Thursday

Pulse Analysis

The third match of the 2026 Women’s State of Origin delivered a clear signal to broadcasters and advertisers: women’s rugby league can command audience numbers that rival, and in this case surpass, traditional male‑dominated codes. Nine’s telecast attracted a national reach of 1.99 million viewers and an average audience of 880,000, outpacing the AFL’s Thursday night clash, which managed 1.63 million reach and 539,000 average viewers. This performance underscores the growing appetite for high‑stakes women’s sport and validates the decision to expand the series to a three‑game format in 2024.

For Nine, the ratings surge translates directly into stronger advertising leverage. A near‑million average audience provides premium inventory for brands seeking to associate with progressive, gender‑balanced content, and the network can command higher CPM rates than during comparable AFL broadcasts. The clean‑sweep narrative, combined with veteran skipper Kezie Apps’ 20th cap, offered compelling storylines that kept viewers engaged, reinforcing Nine’s position as the go‑to home for live women’s sport. This success is likely to influence future rights negotiations and could spur additional investment in production quality.

The ripple effect extends beyond the broadcaster. Sponsors are now presented with a proven platform to reach a diverse, engaged fan base, encouraging deeper partnerships with clubs and the league. The modest point differential—Queensland lost by only 17 points across three games—suggests competitive balance that can sustain viewer interest season after season. As women's State of Origin continues to outdraw rival codes, we can expect a virtuous cycle of higher sponsorship spend, improved player pathways, and ultimately, a stronger commercial ecosystem for women’s rugby league.