Leeds Rhinos director explains why Hull KR clash in Las Vegas is a gamble amid ticket update

Super League rivals Leeds Rhinos and Hull KR are gambling on Las Vegas, a Rhinos director has revealed.

The two sides will meet at Allegiant Stadium on February 28 next year in the second Super League fixture to be played in the United States following Wigan Warriors’ win over Warrington Wolves three months ago.

Match tickets for the American adventure go on sale on Monday, June 2 and Rhinos commercial director Rob Oates has appealed for travelling  fans to buy directly from one of the clubs to help ease the financial burden.

The Yorkshire derby will kick-off a triple-header also featuring two NRL games, with Canterbury Bulldogs taking on St George-Illawarra Dragons and North Queensland Cowboys playing Newcastle Knights.

Hull KR are giving up a Super League fixture at Sewell Group Craven Park and will be the ‘home’ side.

Rhinos were selected as their opponents through an application process, but – unlike the NRL clubs – the English teams won’t receive a fee for taking part.

“We want to do it,” Oates stressed. “In terms of is it good for Super League and for Leeds Rhinos and our brand, of course it is – but it would be fair to say it is a financial risk and very difficult commercially to make the numbers stack up.

“There is some benefit from match tickets bought through us and Hull KR. It makes no difference whether you buy from us or Hull KR, if you do that it does help the club.”

Las Vegas ticket sales update

This year’s Super League showdown in Vegas was rated a huge success in terms of raising the profile of the clubs and European competition and Oates reckons the second venture will be bigger and better.

He described the take up of the club’s official travel as “amazing” and revealed packages including flights have now sold out, though hotel-only deals remain available.

“There’s more than 6,000 people going already, between Rhinos and Hull KR,” Oates stated. “It’s about a 50-50 split. More than 11,000 people went from the UK last year and we are expecting to get above that.

“Hull KR have the same challenges we are facing, but the partnership with them that’s come with it off the field has been brilliant.

“They have been fantastic to deal with, great people and we can see why that club is heading in the right direction, with the people who are running it.”