NRL announces new clubs, expanded Origin series and increase in pay for NRLW

The NRLW will expand to eight teams in 2023 and 10 in 2024 as part of a significant revamp of the women's game that will include a 28 per cent pay increase.

In changes confirmed by the NRL on Tuesday, State of Origin will double to a two-game series from next year with representative payments to also go up. 

The news comes as the NRL moves to introduce a $350,000 salary cap to the NRLW competition, while the minimum pay for players will increase by 25 per cent.

Clubs will also be able to employ two marquee players on a full-time basis outside of the cap, with private health insurance among other newly introduced benefits to bring the women's competition in line with the men's.

The announcement comes as both the players' union and NRL meet over a collective bargaining agreement for the women alongside the men this year.

«The expansion of the NRLW competition and the introduction of the salary cap will ensure players earn substantially more income from our game,» NRL CEO Andrew Abdo said.

«There's still a long way to go but this is another positive step in our growth journey for the NRLW.

»We're experiencing significant growth in television audiences and that's down to the players, and the Commission will continue to invest and support that success."

Under the new system, the end-of-season 2022 competition will remain at the same six teams as the current early-season league, which was postponed from 2021.

New clubs for the next two years will then be decided in July, with North Queensland, Canberra, Wests Tigers, South Sydney, Cronulla, Canterbury and Melbourne having all been vocal in their desire to join.

The Warriors will also likely be given the first shot at returning to the competition after withdrawing last year due to