The NRL will not have a float at the Sydney Mardi Gras parade for the first time in four years after an administrative bungle caused them to miss registration.

The Herald has been told a third party which has assisted the NRL in organising the float since the game's governing body first took part in the parade, in 2016, missed the deadline to register.

The NRL broke new ground when it took part in the Mardi Gras parade in 2016. Credit:James Brickwood

When an expression of interest was made after the deadline, the NRL were told the numbers for the parade on February 29 were at capacity.

That has left the NRL red-faced and without a float.