NRL NRL in the United States

[Cces]

If it's classed as an away game I don't hate it. Loads of travel but you get the following week off & then play another travelling team the week after (hopefully at home) so they're not at a disadvantage.

 

[Lance155]

I am all in on this and will 100% attend if/when we get picked. Hoping to combine some snowboarding in Japan in the week prior.
Anyone else actually planning on going?

 

[Tookey 2.0]

I am all in on this and will 100% attend if/when we get picked. Hoping to combine some snowboarding in Japan in the week prior.
Anyone else actually planning on going?

Yeah bro id be keen aye. If they announced it with at least 6 months prior to it going ahead so I've got a bit of time to plan.

We were actually looking at booking a trip to Vegas this year in July so if they announced that it could be a wait and go nek year.

I'll skip the snowboarding in Japan tho

 

[Tohu’s_Knees]

Happy to be wrong, I reckon they’ll send us in 2026.
2024, first year. No one knows what to expect.
2025, everyone has seen how good it looked the people who didn’t go 2024 will go 2025 plus Melbourne (maybe).
2026, they kinda need a new batch of fans, enter Warriors, Canberra and Melbourne.

That’s what I’d do if I were PVL. Whenever it is, I’m there.

 

[Akkerz]

Something to look forward to definately.

 

[Lance155]

Happy to be wrong, I reckon they’ll send us in 2026.
2024, first year. No one knows what to expect.
2025, everyone has seen how good it looked the people who didn’t go 2024 will go 2025 plus Melbourne (maybe).
2026, they kinda need a new batch of fans, enter Warriors, Canberra and Melbourne.

That’s what I’d do if I were PVL. Whenever it is, I’m there.

I believe it comes down to fan base. Right now we are a good pick for fan numbers. They need quality games but also a good amount of fans willing to travel. Raiders would be similar to us in that respect

 

[Tohu’s_Knees]

I believe it comes down to fan base. Right now we are a good pick for fan numbers. They need quality games but also a good amount of fans willing to travel. Raiders would be similar to us in that respect

Agree more or less. The last thing the NRL wants it for it to become a “meh” thing with an empty stadium in the background. Most likely years 3 and/or 4. Year 5 is last chance saloon.
Hence why I think they’ll spread out Melbourne, Canberra and us.

 

[wizard of Tauranga]

NRL: NZ Warriors frontrunners to feature in Las Vegas for season openers in 2025​

NZ Warriors may be swapping the industrial lights of Penrose for the much brighter and more iconic variety in Las Vegas to kick off their 2025 NRL season.

According to Sydney Morning Herald, the Warriors are part of a shortlist of teams in contention to be awarded one of the coveted four spots on offer for next year's showcase in Sin City.

Defending champions Penrith Panthers are reportedly the only team locked in to feature, with the Australian Rugby League Commision poised to confirm their appearance, when they meet later this week.

Among the Warriors with the rest of the front runners are Melbourne Storm, Newcastle Knights, North Queensland Cowboys, Canberra Raiders, and the Dolphins.

Last month, Brisbane Broncos, Sydney Roosters, South Sydney Rabbitohs and Manly Sea Eales featured in an historic doubleheader at Allegiant Stadium, home of the NFL's Las Vegas Raiders.

The initiative is designed to promote rugby league internationally and appears likely to become an annual fixture, involving a new set of teams each year.

The ARL is also considering sending two NRLW teams to expand the event to a triple-header.

While the Roosters' win over the Broncos drew modest viewing numbers in the US - with just 61,000 tuning in - it set a record across Australia and New Zealand, with 4.1 million fans taking in the action.

Newshub understands the Warriors expect to learn more in the next few weeks.

Work in quite well stopping in there on the way back from the world club challenge.

 

[Wigan Warrior]

View: https://x.com/aussiebeastmode/status/1772124357386494177?s=46&t=yGVyhWaXLghpFYS9Set_3A

 

[jonesy101]

I believe it comes down to fan base. Right now we are a good pick for fan numbers. They need quality games but also a good amount of fans willing to travel. Raiders would be similar to us in that respect

There's a reasonably signifcant Pasifika population living in parts of mainland America as well which might arouse some interest with the Warriors as many will have links back to NZ and the South Pacific.

 

[Lance155]

Man I am on the edge of my seat for this news. A month is too long haha

 

[Tohu’s_Knees]

Man I am on the edge of my seat for this news. A month is too long haha

Haha same.
Theoretically, if they do name us for 2025. It could be an indication that they’re going to send us again in 2027 or 2028. Double dip.

At least a few teams will have to go twice, you’d have to assume we’d be near the top of that list in both fan base and geographically speaking (for people movement).
Other than Brisbane I’d say we’re pretty much the top team.

 

[WahsUltras]

Let’s just say, if we’re in Vegas, I’m going to be there either way,” he said. “Run a blue shirt [as a trainer], play, whatever it is, I’ve got to be there for that says Shaun Johnson on the warriors confirming their interest to play in Vegas in 2025.

 

[Playdaball]

There's a reasonably signifcant Pasifika population living in parts of mainland America as well which might arouse some interest with the Warriors as many will have links back to NZ and the South Pacific.

Yep, there is a RL comp in Utah, home of the Mormons.

 

[Citygirl]

I wasn't much of a fan of the Vegas games but if we play there I'd go

 

[Inruin]

'Liz will open the door for more to come': Roosters sign first US player

John Strange had not considered signing an American player before the NRL’s Vegas venture but the Roosters coach predicts more will join Liz Tafuna in the NRLW.

www.nrl.com

 

[Lance155]

Major Sydney club pulls out of Las Vegas race as battle for a ticket reaches deadline
The NRL has put a deadline for any club wanting to submit their formal 2025 Las Vegas application. See who’s in, who’s out and which clubs are on the shortlist.

The countdown to decide which clubs will be headed to Las Vegas next year is about to be realised.

And there’s already a major withdrawal from the hugely-anticipated race with the Bulldogs opting out of contention for the NRL’s 2025 season launch in Sin City.

The NRL has put a deadline of the close of business on Friday for any club wanting to submit their formal application.

Any club that chooses not to forward a submission will be overlooked and told to try again in 2026.

Canterbury, with their relatively young squad that lacks the experience that each of the four inaugural teams boasted this year, have decided against being considered.

It’s understood the Dogs will aim their hopes towards being part of the NRL’s US odyssey in either 2026 or 2027.

The Panthers sit in the box seat to secure their ticket to the States. Picture: Getty Images
The Panthers sit in the box seat to secure their ticket to the States. Picture: Getty Images
With premiers Penrith considered short-priced favourites to secure a ticket to the US next year, this masthead can reveal there remains a hugely congested field that are eager to be part of the Las Vegas kick-off next year.

Much of the interest from rival clubs relates to the overwhelming success of the NRL’s double-header between the Rabbitohs and Sea Eagles and Roosters and Broncos at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas last month.

Over 40,000 people attended the landmark event with around 14,000 travelling from Australia.

The NRL believes it can achieve a crowd of over 50,000 next year with in excess of 20,000 supporters making the trip.

It can be revealed that the clubs that are planning to submit their application on Friday include the Storm, Knights, Raiders, Eels, Sharks, Cowboys, The Dolphins, Warriors and Dragons.

The Storm have previously been reported as joint-favourites alongside the Panthers to secure a ticket having narrowly missed out this year, however Melbourne are no certainties and instead will be assessed by the NRL like every other applicant.

To many, the Cowboys would be viewed as a frontrunner to be chosen as one of the four clubs, the most high-profile of Queensland clubs, outside the Broncos.

What could be problematic for the Cowboys is that they are understandably protective of their home games in Townsville and therefore they are likely to only pursue a ticket to Las Vegas if they were chosen as an “away” team.

In addition, the incentive to improve as clubs has never been greater with the NRL apprehensive about handing a ticket to clubs that have been struggling for wins in recent years, which would include the Wests Tigers, Titans and Dragons.

The Titans won’t be applying on Friday with a stern focus on cementing themselves as a consistent football side.

The four clubs that made history in Las Vegas, including the Rabbitohs, Sea Eagles, Roosters and Broncos, are unlikely to be considered by the NRL.

The ARLC is determined to showcase as many different clubs as possible to the US across the five-year contract.

As part of the application, the NRL have asked all clubs to provide hard numbers related to their brand reach, membership count and hugely important corporate support.

The Titans are no chance of getting to Vegas. Picture: Getty Images
The Titans are no chance of getting to Vegas. Picture: Getty Images
The Panthers have long been considered frontrunners to secure a ticket, not only due to their extraordinary success with three straight premierships, but also due to their unavailability of BlueBet Stadium, which will undergo a renovation at the end of this season.

Having narrowly been pipped for selection this year, the Storm have already declared they are happy to be the ‘away’ team against the Panthers.

The Raiders also went close to being chosen this year. With their high-level government relationships in the nation’s capital, notably with DFAT (Department of Foreign Trade and Affairs) and their synergy and similar branding to NFL team the Las Vegas Raiders, they are serious contenders for a ticket.

The Sharks, Knights and Eels have made no secret of their desire to be considered, with each club providing a detailed portfolio of their fan base and corporate support.

The Warriors are of major interest to the NRL due to their ability to lure a nation of supporters from New Zealand to the US.

Several clubs that this masthead spoke to will lodge their application on Friday, but won’t necessarily push ahead until they receive further information from the NRL on costs, logistics and feedback on the physical impact of the team’s.

 

[Lance155]

Hope the formatting was OK, it was behind a pay wall so a copy and paste job with trying to delete and random shit

 

[Akkerz]

World Club challenge clashed with Vegas this year -hence no Panthers so be careful what you wish for.

 

[Brightman]

World Club challenge clashed with Vegas this year -hence no Panthers so be careful what you wish for.

There is talk of taking the WCC to Vegas alongside the selected NRL first round teams..