NRLW salary cap set to swell to $1.5m in 2027 under historic new CBA

The NRL is set to expand the women’s league again in 2025, with the framework finally in place for the next five years of the competition.

The league and players’ union are finally close to peace on the women’s game after lengthy meetings last week, with this year’s expanded 10-team NRLW competition to begin on about 21 July.

Under the terms of the looming agreement, the 2023 and 2024 NRLW seasons will include a nine-round regular season before two weeks of finals.

Players will also be given two weeks of annual leave as part of their contract, along with seven weeks of pre-season training to make for a 20-week commitment.

State of Origin will stay at two matches for at least the next two seasons before potentially going to three, with representative matches falling outside the club window.

Teams will be granted a salary cap of $900,000 for this season at an average of $37,500 per player, with the cap to go to more than $1.5m in 2027 at an average salary of $62,500.

Clubs will also be able to help players find further employment, with the approval of the salary cap auditor.

AAP has been told expansion is then likely to come in 2025, with the possibility of two extra teams taking the competition to 12 sides, with funding already set aside for it.

That will coincide with the total commitment growing to 23 weeks, with an extra two rounds likely as well as an extra week of finals or an additional week in the pre-season.

The Warriors could be one option to potentially return to the NRLW after COVID-19 forced them out

All remaining clubs without a side - Melbourne, South Sydney, Canterbury, Penrith, Manly and the Dolphins - have also previously signalled their intent to join the competition.

The women’s league will continue to