“I’ve Never Been More Confident”: Rugby Australia Executes Impressive $106 Million Turnaround

Rugby Australia has achieved a stunning turnaround, reporting a remarkable profit of $106 million, buoyed by the successful British and Irish Lions tour.

At its annual general meeting held in Sydney on Wednesday, RA unveiled a record-breaking profit of $70.8 million for 2025.

This follows a substantial loss of $36.8 million in 2024.

The Lions tour, which attracted an impressive 40,000 travelling fans, proved to be a lucrative undertaking, surpassing RA’s expectations by approximately 40 per cent.

Furthermore, the governing body anticipates generating around $100 million from next year’s home Rugby World Cup and is planning to establish a ‘future fund’ to secure profits and ensure sustainable revenue for the sport.

“This is a transformative and invigorating time for Australian rugby. A record operating surplus enables us to look towards the future with clarity and confidence,” remarked RA chief executive Phil Waugh.

“We are keeping our commitment to revitalise the game’s finances, restore its prestige, and pursue a new strategic path for Australian rugby. Significant progress has been made to ensure that the revenue from our key events will bolster our sport’s long-term success.

“What began as a challenging period has evolved into a promising era. With a dedicated team and a clear strategy, Australian rugby is poised to take full advantage of this opportunity.”

Super Rugby Pacific has noted an impressive increase in attendance (+6%) and viewer ratings (+27% on Stan Sport and +13% on Nine) in 2025.

“A harmonised and united Australian rugby can accomplish great feats,” stated RA chairman Daniel Herbert.

“Following a thorough organisational restructuring in 2024, Australian rugby now possesses an outstanding framework as we gear up for the invaluable opportunities presented by the men’s and women’s Rugby World Cups scheduled for 2027 and 2029.

“While much work remains to establish a successful and sustainable model for Australian rugby, I am more optimistic than ever about our strategic direction and the future of our esteemed game at all levels.”

Kristy Giteau has been re-elected for a second term as RA president.