The NRLW is set to have its biggest season yet, confirming an expansion to a 10-team competition played over nine rounds, and a new broadcast deal that will see games televised in prime time.
The NRL released the 2023 NRLW season draw on Thursday, which includes four new teams, the Canberra Raiders, Cronulla Sharks, North Queensland Cowboys and Wests Tigers.
The season will start on Saturday July 22, with a Queensland derby between the Gold Coast Titans and the North Queensland Cowboys.
The women’s grand final has been scheduled to be played on Sunday, October 1, before the men’s grand final.
“This year’s NRL Telstra Women’s Premiership will be super charged with four new teams, nine regular-season rounds, followed by semi finals and a grand final,” NRL CEO Andrew Abdo said on Thursday.
“In 2023, there will be new rivalries and new time slots with every match being broadcast on free-to-air TV nationally with prime time coverage for the first time ever.”
“The schedule will include a balance of standalone double headers, club double headers and standalone fixtures at new venues, aimed at maximising the opportunity for fans to experience the premiership live or on broadcast, across a range of markets.”
The competition announced its broadcast deal with the Nine network, which will see all 48 games in the season shown on free to air television. Three prime time matches will feature on Channel Nine, and Nine’s coverage will also include a new NRLW production unit, a dedicated weekly magazine show NRLWrap and a weekly NRLW podcast.
The 2023 Women’s State of Origin has also been announced, with two games to be played in the series in June. It will be hosted in Sydney at CommBank Stadium and in Townsville at the Queensland Country Bank Stadium.