NRL reportedly weighing up drastic schedule slash for 20-team comp … but one legend has doubts

The NRL’s scheduling could undergo a historic revamp when a 20th team enters the competition.

It is being reported by CODE Sports that the NRL are considering a significant change – slashing the number of rounds in the regular season from 27 to 19.

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The reason for this is to even up the draw by pitting each team against each other just the once when the number of clubs increase to 20. A US-style conference system is reportedly also being considered.

In addition, the shorter season could also result in State of Origin turning into an undisturbed stand-alone series.

Given a 20th team isn’t expected to enter the competition until 2030 at the earliest, there is plenty of water to go under the bridge before a complete revamp of the draw becomes realistic.

The major hurdle in this plan is the upcoming broadcast rights deal, which is expected to be the largest in the game’s history.

The current deal expires at the end of 2027, with the PNG Chiefs entering the comp in 2028.

With the NRL’s TV audience setting a new record in viewership numbers, the game is sitting pretty which will ensure a new broadcast deal worth billions.

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A 19-round comp with 20 teams results in 190 regular season games, which is only 14 less than this season.

However, legendary coach Wayne Bennett called the reported cutback a “pretty fair reduction” and has his doubts whether it ends up coming to fruition.

“I don’t care how many rounds we play, but it’s about the money … Players won’t accept being paid less and clubs won’t want to get less with NRL grants and if we play less games,” Bennett said.

“If you go from 27 rounds to 19 rounds, it’s a pretty fair reduction.

“If the broadcasters are happy to pay the same amount of money, fair enough, but I’m not sure if it will really happen.

“Less games certainly means players aren’t as tired at the end of the season, but they tend to recover pretty well now.

“It will be a decision made by the clubs and the RLPA because at the end of the day it could have an impact on the amount of money they get paid now and what that means for the salary cap down the track.”

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