Here’s all the latest news on the NRL Vegas plan for 2024 and beyond.
The 2024 NRL season opener is being exported to Las Vegas, baby, as part of a $200 million deal. It’ll see a number of rugby league fixtures in the USA between 2024 and 2028.
After a few months of speculation, the NRL Vegas deal was made official in August.
Here’s everything we know about the arrangements so far.
MORE RUGBY LEAGUE CONTENT | Only Sports
NRL Vegas 2024 games
Which teams?
The Broncos, Roosters, Sea Eagles and Rabbitohs will open the new season.
2023 Grand Finalists the Brisbane Broncos will join three iconic Sydney teams in launching the 2024 season in style. Like last season, the Roosters will have the weight of expectations heading into the new season. The Broncos will be one of the leading premiership contenders, of course, while the Sea Eagles and Rabbitohs will be looking to bounce back from late-season fades and disappointing campaigns.
GAME 1 | Roosters v Broncos
GAME 2 | Sea Eagles v Rabbitohs
Where?
Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas — 65,000 seats — home of the Las Vegas Raiders in the NFL, one of the newest football venues in the United States. Nicknamed ‘the Death Star’, Allegiant Stadium has a fully closed roof and can host games on both grass and turf. That means it’s perfectly suited to hosting Rugby League, which of course needs to be played on grass.
When?
March 2
The matches will unfold on Sunday afternoon down under — Saturday night in the US.
There would then be more games in future seasons, with the deal tabled to run through to 2028.
The idea of the NRL heading to the US is far from new, with an attempt being made back in 2019 before the COVID-19 pandemic.
More recently, there were efforts to open the 2023 season with South Sydney and Manly in Los Angeles. That plan reportedly made it to late-stage discussions before falling through.
NRL Las Vegas Legend Package with Flights
Qantas and Tripadeal have partnered for an offer that includes flights, choice of accommodation and a Diamond ticket to the double-header.
What’s been said about the NRL Vegas mission?
“The 2024 Las Vegas matches will form part of an exciting ‘Australia Week’ in Las Vegas where we will be showcasing rugby league and Australia to the US market,” NRL CEO Andrew Abdo said.
“We are now working collaboratively with the four clubs to finalise arrangements for the proposed matches in Las Vegas and make this a blockbuster event for fans by maximising travel, attendance and enjoyment of a unique rugby league experience.
“Rugby league will be on a stage which the sport has simply never been on before and we look forward to giving all clubs the opportunity in coming years.”
“We also have the links to America with owners Russell Crowe and Mike Cannon-Brookes, who has sporting interests [as a part-owner of the NBA’s Utah Jazz] in the US.”
Rabbitohs boss Blake Solly whole-heartedly supports the mission.
“The NRL asked for expressions of interest to be included in the Las Vegas event and we put our hand up, having previously had the experience of taking a game to the United States in 2008,” Solly said.
A Souths showdown with the Roosters would be utterly insane, given the two clubs’ rivalry — which of course featured in our piece around Australian sport’s best rivalries.
