Warrington Wolves CEO Karl Fitzpatrick has asserted that he would ‘absolutely’ love for Super League to have some involvement in the proposed NRL Global Round, with his club already among the sport’s travelling trailblazers.
Wire, along with Wigan Warriors, went to Las Vegas in 2025 as they became the first Super League representatives at the festival of rugby league out in the desert.
Warrington will now head to Dublin next year, again in partnership with Wigan, as the Wolves and Warriors look to expand the footprint of rugby league and take it to places where growth can happen.
The NRL have similar trailblazing plans with a Global Round previously proposed and it’s something that Fitzpatrick has confirmed his and the club’s interest in when speaking on SEN Radio down in Australia,
“This partnership with the NRL, if we can make it happen, this is where we can be aligned,” he admitted, as he explained Warrington’s Dublin adventure.
St Helens and Hull FC have also been confirmed as part of that Dublin weekender, whilst Bradford Bulls and Leigh Leopards will represent Super League in Las Vegas next year.
Fitzpatrick asserted: “That shows the ambition… We want to be part of that, we want the NRL and Super League to come together and take on the world.
“This is now the NRL versus Super League, this is rugby league versus rugby union, Netflix, AFL, NFL, whatever it is. If we can combine and become stronger together, I think it presents a really exciting future for rugby league.
“But we 100% want to be part of that Global Round.”
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Warrington Wolves CEO addresses NRL investment offer in Super League
As well as that impassioned statement on Global Round, Fitzpatrick also offered a brief update on the deal offered by the Australian Rugby League Commission for investment in Super League.
RL Commercial confirmed receipt of the offer on August 13th with the deal reported to be worth around £7 million per year and seeing the Australian competition invest that fee for five years, earning a 10% stake in Super League each time.
It’s an offered that has generally been viewed by many in the northern hemisphere as a lowball attempt, however, Fitzpatrick spoke on the positive aspects.
He said: “I think it’s really positive that you mean we’ve finally got a bona fide offer because these discussions have been going on for over 12 months. It’s really encouraging and pleasing that an offer has been tabled.
“Now, the offer got sent through, I think it was last Wednesday, and the RFL received it probably about one hour before there was a club meeting, so we only kind of got a bit of light touch about the update.”
He would admit that the fees may currently be low, stating: “My understanding is (that it’s) probably a little bit below the expectations at this stage, but I must stress the RFL are keen to try and find a solution, although it’s probably not where it needs to be.
“We’re really enthused and ambitious and hopeful we can get to a place that works for both parties, and that’s key as well, that this does work for both parties and it is a partnership”
Wiganexpat
August 26, 2026 at 2:35 pm
When considering the price, it is important to remember that 100% of nothing = nothing. Superleague isn’t making any money, clubs are surviving only due to the good grace of sponsors. Sky doesn’t want to pay any more and other broadcasters aren’t interested. If the NRL can truly grow the pie and drag SL out of its current malaise, then in 5 years, we might just find that 50% of SL = something worth having.