The Sweden national rugby league team (nicknamed the Barbarians) was founded in 2008.

The first competitive rugby league on Swedish soil was the 2nd annual Scandinavian Nines Tournament, hosted by Spartacus Reds in Gothenburg in April 2010.

[1] Following the success of the 9's competition, a domestic league was founded in 2011, comprising three teams - Borås Ravens, Spartacus Reds and Gothenburg Lions.

[2] Sweden competed in their first rugby league international on 30 October 2010 when they drew 20 - 20 against Norway.

Sweden earned their first international rugby league win in July 2013, beating Norway in the Nordic Cup 40–22 in Oslo.