Every NRL club will get two byes with an extra 12 games across 26 rounds to be played form 2023 after the Australian Rugby League Commission (ARLC) confirmed it had approved a 17th team licence to "The Dolphins".
The Redcliffe-based outfit beat out rival bids from the Firehawks and Jets to become the first new NRL team since the Gold Coast Titans were admitted in 2007.
"Today is an exciting moment in the history of our game. The NRL Telstra Premiership will expand to 17 teams in 2023, and on behalf of the commission I would like to congratulate The Dolphins on being granted the 17th licence,'' ARLC chairman Peter V'landys said.
"I would also like to acknowledge and thank the other bid teams for the work they put into their submissions. All three bids were of the highest calibre and highlight the strength of rugby league in Queensland."
The NRL's expansion assessment committee met last Friday and the seven-person panel spent 90 minutes analysing the merits of prospective franchises the Dolphins, Jets and Firehawks.