The NRL has recorded a $27.8 million surplus in the first six months of 2018.
This puts the organisation on track to meet its target of a $45 million surplus for the year.
The results were presented to a meeting of club CEO's and Chairs today, following a commitment by Australian Rugby League Commission Chairman Peter Beattie to be transparent on the game's finances.
In the first six months of 2018, the NRL recorded:
• A 29 per cent increase in sponsorship revenue;
• A 39 per cent increase in distributions to clubs – from $79.7 million to $110.5 million, and;
• A 17 per cent increase in funding to States – from $13.8 million to $16.1 million
Mr Beattie said the results showed the game was in a strong financial position.
"Our aim is to not only meet our financial targets but to exceed them," he said.
"And if, over this broadcast cycle, we beat our targets, the funds will be distributed evenly between grassroots, players, clubs and the NRL.
"In other words, everyone has skin in the game and there is an incentive for every part of the game to perform strongly."
NRL CEO Todd Greenberg said the game had secured more than $316 million in funding for Centres of Excellence.
New facilities will be built for most NRL clubs, as well as the NRL in Victoria and the Northern Territory.
Mr Greenberg said these facilities would be a game changer in attracting people to Rugby League in those areas.
He also told club leaders that NRL television audiences are up by one million viewers in Australia so far this year and by 15 per cent in New Zealand.
Crowds are also up by nearly three per cent during the Telstra Premiership – on top of the 87,000 block-buster crowd at the first Holden State of Origin match.
