NRL games in the UK? League considers season-opener in the UK

NRL games in the UK? The league is reportedly considering hosting their season-opener from 2029 in the UK.

First reported by WAtoday, the league is under contract with Las Vegas to host opening round games for the next three seasons until 2028 but from then, they’re eager to move to major cities across the world.

London is reportedly a strong contender, with the NRL eyeing up a spot at Wembley Stadium for a double-header, and are hoping to re-galvanise rugby league in the capital.

The governing body is also looking at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium but will have to negotiate around Premier League fixtures for a spare weekend.

Due to the success of the Las Vegas fixtures, they’re also contemplating other cities in the USA, such as Miami and New York City.

However, the prospect of a jam-packed 90,000 fans inside Wembley would only be a positive for fans in the UK and it would be significantly larger than Vegas’ Allegiant Stadium with a capacity of around 65,000 for NFL games.

It’s hoped that Super League could add their own marquee fixture to the line-up for fans across the world to see the best players from over here as well as from down under.

This news comes as RL Commercial and IMG are sitting down with the NRL following the Vegas bonanza to work on partnership deals between the Australian and European leagues.

The main issue with hosting matches in the UK is the time difference, where there’s a large and awkward difference.

An 8pm kick-off in the UK is 7am on Sydney time and for a double-header but a 10.30pm start would be very late in the UK but would be a 9.30am audience for Australia.

Alternatively, a lunchtime kick-off in the UK would be late night for Australian broadcasters.

Miami and New York are both in the same time zone with more appealing times for Australians.

An 8pm kick-off in Miami or New York would work out as 12pm in Sydney, much better for fans and broadcasters alike, especially on a weekend.

We’re sure that the RFL will be pushing for a UK-based fixture, considering reports suggesting that the Vegas matches have brought in an estimated $US80 million into the city across the weekend.

However, NRL games in the UK could also mean a much closer relationship between Super League and the NRL, possibly with a full takeover by then.