Dolphins Secure Darwin in CLP NRL Territory Deal
The Finocchiaro CLP Government has secured a three-year partnership with National Rugby League team, The Dolphins.
The partnership reinforces the Northern Territory’s reputation for delivering world-class sporting experiences and strengthens ties with our Queensland neighbours.
The Dolphins will play a home game in Darwin each year from 2026 to 2028 at TIO Stadium, building on their highly successful Top End debut in 2024 where they defeated the Parramatta Eels 44-16.
The announcement follows the conclusion of the Northern Territory’s 12-year partnership with the Eels.
To mark the milestone, Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro will today meet with the Dolphins at their home ground in Redcliffe, highlighting the natural connection between the Territory and Queensland.
“We’re proud to continue delivering on our year of action, certainty and security by locking in our new NRL team for Territorians,” said Mrs Finocchiaro.
“Securing this three-year deal with the Dolphins demonstrates our commitment to top-tier sport in the Territory – a legacy the CLP started.”
Mrs Finocchiaro said the Dolphins’ professionalism, community values, and regional focus made them an ideal fit.
“The Dolphins are already part of the Territory community; they’ve run clinics in Darwin and Katherine, and we know they’ll keep investing in our grassroots game and our people,” she said.
Minister for Major Events and Tourism and Hospitality Marie-Clare Boothby said the partnership would deliver strong returns for the economy and local businesses.
“This is an exciting new chapter for NRL in the Territory,” said Ms Boothby.
“Hosting a Dolphins home game each year brings more than elite footy; it attracts visitors, drives tourism spending, and promotes Darwin as a destination.
“The 2024 Dolphins-Eels match alone generated more than $5 million in spending and 12,688 visitor nights, and now we’ll see that economic benefit continue through until 2028.”
NRL NT General Manager Tony Crowe said the Dolphins were a club which walked the talk when it comes to community.
“Over the past two years, we’ve seen their commitment firsthand through their work with us on grassroots game development programs,” he said.
“We’re excited to continue growing this partnership – the Dolphins bring energy, opportunity, and genuine connection, and we look forward to what the next three years will deliver for rugby league across the Territory.”
Dolphins NRL Chief Executive Officer Terry Reader said: “The Dolphins know the Northern Territory well after playing a game there last year and have also been involved in several community engagement tours there with existing partners over the past two years.”
“We are excited about locking in three NRL matches in Darwin over the next three years and the opportunities that will provide us to continually engage with the people of the NT,” said Mr Reader.
“The Dolphins were impressed with the number of supporters we had when we played there last year, and we are determined to grow both our number of fans and the game of rugby league in general across the Northern Territory.”
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https://nt.gov.au/