Rugby League headed to Las Vegas in 2024

Though in the past we have seen Canadian team Toronto Wolfpack play in Super League against Leeds Rhinos, Wigan Warriors, Warrington Wolves, Hull FC and the biggest teams in Super League, no Super League game was ever held over in Canada or America.

There were plans for this in 2020 but Toronto began the season playing games at neutral venues such as Headingley for their clash with Castleford Tigers.

But the pandemic and financial issues ended their opportunity.

In 2008, Leeds played South Sydney Rabbitohs in a pre-season friendly in America and returned to play the United States themselves in 2015.

England of course met New Zealand in Denver back in 2018 but now it is NRL clubs heading over to America in the form of Las Vegas.

This has long been rumoured and now it has been confirmed that the Brisbane Broncos, South Sydney Rabbitohs, Sydney Roosters and Manly Sea Eagles will all head over to Vegas for the start of the 2024 NRL season.

This news comes in the wake of the NRL and Rugby League Players Association led by former Hull KR star Clint Newton have finally settled their issues over the collective bargaining agreement.

Both pieces of news is a huge boost for the NRL.

NRL CEO Andrew Abdo thanked the Broncos, Rabbitohs, Roosters and Sea Eagles for their proposals and acknowledged NRL broadcast partners for their strong support and commitment to the concept.

“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,” Mr 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.”

Further announcements will be made in the coming weeks in relation to the proposed 2024 NRL Telstra Premiership opening matches in Las Vegas.