Rugby supporters are highly enthusiastic and proud to follow their sport, but there is a significant divide between rugby union and rugby league fans.
Rugby league has a strong following, particularly in the North of England, but rugby union has consistently proven to be the more popular version of the game. So, let’s take a deeper look at why union has the upper hand in terms of national popularity, levels of participation, and global reach.
When and Why Did Rugby Split?
Before we get into why union is more popular than league, it’s important to know why and when the sport of rugby became divided.
The split dates back to 1985, when a disagreement over player payments began. Northern English clubs – who represented working class players – felt they should receive payment to compensate players for any wages lost due to rugby commitments. When the demand was rejected, 22 clubs decided to form the Northern Rugby Football Union, which since 1922 has been known as Rugby League.
Why Union is Considered More Popular Than League
Global Following
Rugby union and rugby league have both reached an international audience. Rugby league remains popular and competitive in places like Oceania, Northern England, and Southern France, but rugby union is followed on a more global scale – from South Africa and Canada to Japan and Argentina.
This global reach gives rugby union an edge that rugby league struggles to match. Fans get a larger variety of rivals and more meaningful fixtures that you don’t necessarily get with rugby league.
And with rugby union tournaments like The Rugby World Cup becoming one of the most anticipated sporting events around the world, the games attract millions of viewers and a significant amount of commercial backing.
Support and Investment
Rugby union benefits from a higher level of support, with the Rugby Football Union (RFU) heavily investing in local clubs and school and youth programmes. This gives younger union players early exposure to the game, which is crucial for producing the talented athletes we see in rugby union today.
Better Media Coverage
Rugby union is more favoured by the media and typically receives prime slots on free-to-watch TV channels, particularly when it comes to tournaments like the Six Nations and The Rugby World Cup
However, rugby league doesn’t get quite the same level of coverage. Matches are often confined to subscription channels that limit mainstream exposure and reduce casual viewership.
Rugby union’s wider media coverage means more press, more interviews and more analysis. This gets more fans checking in regularly for the latest rugby union news. The increase in accessibility to more in-depth information only increases fan engagement, further accelerating its popularity.
Compelling Gameplay
The rules of rugby league and union differ. Many critics of rugby union argue that since league provides a faster paced game with fewer stoppages, it is the better sport. Whilst there is some truth to league games being faster and more fluid, union’s demand for complex strategies is what makes it so compelling for fans to watch.
Union includes more players (15 vs 13 players for league) and there are a higher variety of positions, all of which creates a better spectacle for the fans watching that you don’t get with rugby league.
Development of the Women’s Game
Another area where union has stormed ahead is the growth of the women’s game. The Red Roses – England’s union team – are among the best in the world and their matches attract growing crowds and broadcast audiences. Their success has played a significant role in female participation in sports.
Women’s rugby league has of course made strides for women in sport, but hasn’t reached the same degree as union just yet.
Union vs League
The debate between which sport is better is strong, with die-hard union and league fans facing a huge divide on the matter. But there’s no doubt that rugby union is the more popular sport.
The incredible passion from fans all over the world, the intensity and entertainment value, and the backing from investors has created a sport that resonates with a wider, global demographic, from casual viewers to hardcore fans, that will remain ahead for quite some time.
