Brandwave

NFL vs NRL:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, NRL had more branded searches than NFL among sports leagues in New Zealand. NRL had about 2.2 million branded searches, while NFL had 418,000. NRL made up 59.8% of all sports league searches we track, and NFL accounted for 11.3%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about sports leagues, NRL appeared in three of the five answers and NFL in two. NRL was mentioned before NFL in three out of five answers.

Among sports leagues in New Zealand in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

NRL, about 5 searches for every 1 for NFL

NRL 2.2M searchesNFL 418K searches

Who does AI mention more?

NRL, mentioned in 3 of 5 answers, NFL in 2

NRL in 3 of 5NFL in 2 of 5

Who does AI recommend more?

NRL, named ahead of NFL in 3 of 5 answers

NRL first in 3NFL first in 2

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Top sports leagues in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, NRL was mentioned in three out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. NFL was mentioned in two out of five: not in any of the three ChatGPT answers, but in both Google AI Overviews. NRL was listed before NFL in three out of five answers.

Most recommended by AI

Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.

  1. Super Rugby Pacific1st
  2. NRL2nd
  3. NFL3rd
  4. Premier League4th
  5. A-League5th
  6. NBA6th
  7. Super Smash7th
  8. AFL–

Mentioned by AI

Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.

  • NRL3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • A-League3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Super Rugby Pacific3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Premier League2 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • NFL2 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • NBA2 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Super Smash2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • AFL0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers

See every answer about sports leagues

5 answers

Not named in any answer:

Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in New Zealand on October 19, 2026.

Is NFL or NRL more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for NFL and NRL by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all eight sports leagues we track, month by month, from searches in New Zealand.

NFL and NRL among sports leagues in New Zealand, by month

Share of searches by month for NRL, NFL. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MonthNRLPremier LeagueNFLA-LeagueAFLNBASuper Rugby PacificSuper Smash
Oct 202514.8%23.6%17.3%14.2%0.52%29.2%0.34%0.03%
Nov 20253.6%23.1%15.5%14.5%0.27%42.8%0.25%0.05%
Dec 20251.8%28.9%14.7%18.8%0.13%34.1%0.19%1.3%
Jan 20262.1%25.2%16.7%17.3%0.15%32.7%0.59%5.2%
Feb 20269.3%26.3%3%16.3%0.27%26.6%18.2%0.06%
Mar 202629.2%17.9%0.52%10.1%1.5%22.6%18.1%0.01%
Apr 202633%15.2%0.78%8.8%1.7%24%16.5%<0.01%
May 202629.7%16.8%0.24%8.4%1.5%28.8%14.5%<0.01%
Jun 202647.8%1.1%0.48%0.66%2%32.4%15.6%<0.01%
Jul 202684.7%2.9%0.71%1.6%4.1%5.1%0.92%<0.01%
Aug 202676.4%11%2.1%5.5%2.9%1.8%0.33%<0.01%
Sep 202659.8%15.2%11.3%6.9%4.7%1.8%0.34%0.01%

How has the NFL and NRL comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings
  • The lead changed hands once in the 12 months ending September 2026: NRL took it in February 2026.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, NFL’s share of searches among sports leagues in New Zealand moved from 17.3% to 11.3%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 434K to 418K.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, NRL’s share of searches among sports leagues in New Zealand moved from 14.8% to 59.8%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 371K to 2.2M.

How did search popularity change for New Zealand sports leagues in September 2026?

2 changes

  1. In September 2026, NFL overtook A-League and AFL to rank 3rd among sports leagues in New Zealand, with 11.3% of the searches.

  2. In September 2026, NRL lost share of searches among sports leagues in New Zealand, from 76.4% to 59.8%.

How are branded searches counted?

40 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using NFL’s and NRL’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.

NFL

23 branded search terms

  • cowboys nfl
  • espn nfl draft
  • nfl
  • nfl denver broncos
  • nfl draft
  • nfl draw
  • nfl fantasy
  • nfl fixtures
  • nfl games
  • nfl games today
  • nfl jerseys
  • nfl ladder
  • nfl live
  • nfl players
  • nfl preseason
  • nfl pro bowl
  • nfl scores
  • nfl super bowl
  • nfl teams
  • nfl tickets
  • nfl today
  • nfl vikings
  • r nfl

NRL

17 branded search terms

  • dolphin nrl
  • nrl
  • nrl draw
  • nrl finals
  • nrl fixtures
  • nrl gf
  • nrl gf tickets
  • nrl ladder
  • nrl matches
  • nrl matches tonight
  • nrl results
  • nrl scores
  • nrl standings
  • nrl teams list
  • nrl tickets
  • nrl tonight
  • nrl w

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among sports leagues

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