The AFL has come out on top in a survey conducted by Deloitte to determine which code in Australia has the most fans.
The debate between the AFL and NRL has raged on for decades, but it can be laid to rest, according to the Deloitte Media and Entertainment Insights 2025 report.
According to the report, 42 per cent of Aussies deem themselves as fans of the AFL, while 30 per cent claim they prefer the NRL, placing the sport in third.
Surprisingly, tennis ranks second in the overall fan numbers. The report said this:
"The Deloitte rankings of sporting codes by 'followership' found that the big four sports – AFL, rugby league, soccer, and cricket – had the highest proportion of 'avid' fans. Tennis, rugby league, soccer and cricket all had around the same number of fans (29-32%) while AFL stood out at 42%.
"The report surveyed a nationally representative sample of 2000 people aged 16 to 92 (it does not report a margin for error)."
It comes as the NRL's grand final between the Melbourne Storm and Brisbane Broncos drew an impressive 4.5 million viewers — topping the AFL's 4.1 million audience for the clash between Brisbane Lions and Geelong.
NRL powerhouse Penrith Panthers also reigns supreme as the most valuable sporting organisation from a brand valuation perspective, surpassing Collingwood in 2025.
The Pies previously held the top spot in Australia, but were knocked off their perch by NRL club Penrith Panthers ($129 million).
