Rugby League Heads to Las Vegas: NRL and Super League Explore Groundbreaking Partnership
The National Rugby League (NRL) made a historic move earlier this season, taking regular-season fixtures to Las Vegas for the first time. Now, reports suggest that a Super League match could potentially join the NRL double-header in the Nevada gambling capital next year.
Inaugural NRL Event in Las Vegas
The initial NRL event in Vegas saw the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles take on the South Sydney Rabbitohs, followed by the Sydney Roosters facing the Brisbane Broncos. The inaugural round was deemed a success, drawing a record-breaking attendance of 40,476 fans for a rugby league game on American soil. However, the television audiences lagged behind, with neither game attracting more than 62,000 viewers.
Potential Super League Involvement
Negotiations are now underway between the NRL and Super League to finalize the inclusion of a Super League fixture in the 2025 Vegas round. According to reports, Warrington has been identified as a likely participant, given their strong performance this season and the appeal of their owner, music promoter Simon Moran, as well as the coaching presence of former South Sydney favorite, Sam Burgess.
“The plan is for the Super League game to kick off around lunchtime in Vegas, allowing for a prime-time Saturday night broadcast in the UK.”
The NRL noted that over 1,000 fans made the journey from England to attend the inaugural Vegas round, further highlighting the potential for a transatlantic audience.
Cautious Approach
While negotiations are ongoing, both the NRL and Super League are approaching this partnership with caution, eager to avoid any missteps that could derail the discussions. The option of incorporating the World Club Challenge into the Vegas event had been previously considered, but it now appears more likely that a regular-season Super League match will be played instead.
As the NRL and Super League continue to explore this groundbreaking collaboration, rugby league fans around the world will eagerly await further developments in this exciting venture to bring the sport to new audiences.
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