Rugby League as we know it began in 1998 when the National Rugby League (NRL) was formed.

However, history can be set way back in 1907 when the first competition was created in the northern states.

The NSW Rugby League ran the competition from 1907 until 1994, with the Australian Rugby League (1995-1997) and the Super League (1997) taking over.

Surpassing the 125-year mark of this great game, it'd be appropriate to dive into yesteryear to see who has been the most successful clubs across multiple eras.

Looking at the premiership winners from 1907 up until 2023, here is everything you need to know.

(*Melbourne Storm were stripped of premierships in 2007 and 2009 due to salary cap breaches.)

NRL Premiership winners list

Premierships Club Year/s
4 (6)* Melbourne Storm* 1999, 2007*, 2009*, 2012, 2017, 2020
4 Sydney Roosters 2002, 2013, 2018, 2019
4 Penrith Panthers 2003, 2021, 2022, 2023
3 Brisbane Broncos 1998, 2000, 2006
2 Manly Sea Eagles 2008, 2011
1 Newcastle Knights 2001
1 Canterbury Bulldogs 2004
1 Wests Tigers 2005
1 St. George Illawarra Dragons 2010
1 Sydney South Rabbitohs 2014
1 North Queensland Cowboys 2015
1 Cronulla Sharks 2016

 

Who has won the most NRL premierships?

Premierships Club Year/s
21 South Sydney Rabbitohs
1908, 1909, 1914, 1918, 1925, 1926, 1927, 1928, 1929, 1931, 1932, 1950, 1951, 1953, 1954, 1955, 1967, 1968, 1970, 1971, 2014
15 Sydney Roosters
1911, 1912, 1913, 1923, 1935, 1936, 1937, 1940, 1945, 1974, 1975, 2002, 2013, 2018, 2019
15 St. George Dragons
1941, 1949, 1956, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1977, 1979
11 Balmain Tigers
1915, 1916, 1917, 1919, 1920, 1924, 1939, 1944, 1946, 1947, 1969
8 Manly Sea Eagles
1972, 1973, 1976, 1978, 1987, 1996, 2008, 2011
8 Canterbury Bulldogs
1938, 1942, 1980, 1984, 1985, 1988, 1995, 2004
6 Brisbane Broncos 1992, 1993, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2006
5 Penrith Panthers 1991, 2003, 2021, 2022, 2023
4 (6)* Melbourne Storm* 1999, 2007*, 2009*, 2012, 2017, 2020
4 Parramatta Eels 1981, 1982, 1983, 1986
4 Western Suburbs Magpies 1930, 1934, 1948, 1952
3 Canberra Raiders 1989, 1990, 1994
3 Newtown Jets 1910, 1933, 1943
2 Newcastle Knights 1997, 2001
2 North Sydney Bears 1921, 1922
1 Cronulla Sharks 2016
1 North Queensland Cowboys 2015
1 St. George Illawarra Dragons 2010
1 Wests Tigers 2005

 

What NRL teams haven't won a premiership?

There are only THREE teams that are currently in the NRL that haven't lifted the trophy at the end of the season.

The Dolphins, New Zealand Warriors and Gold Coast Titans remain without a premiership triumph.

However, in the Dolphins' defence, they joined the competition ahead of the 2023 season while the Warriors (joined in 1995) and the Titans (2007) have had more opportunities.