Super League clubs could be set to earn six-figure sums if they head to the USA to play a game in 2025, according to reports Down Under.
The first professional rugby league matches in the States were played in Round One of the 2024 NRL season, as over 40,000 fans turned up for the historic double-header.
Sydney Roosters, Brisbane Broncos, Manly Sea Eagles and South Sydney Rabbitohs took part.
The Australian Daily Telegraph has reported that NRL sides taking part in the second year of fixtures in Las Vegas would be given huge sums of money if they take a game to Nevada.
They report that the frontrunners to take part next year are Penrith Panthers, NZ Warriors, Cronulla Sharks and Canberra Raiders.
A document has been sent to these clubs, as well as four others, suggesting the home side (who would miss out on a game at their own stadium) would receive 350,000 Australian dollars (around £180,000) while the away side would receive 50,000 Australian dollars (around £26,000).
Clubs would also have eight days of accomodation in Las Vegas fully funded by NRL.
Super League Quiz: Can you name the Champions from every season?
Super League sides headed to Vegas?
Credit: Imago Images
The report also says that the NRL are also working on two Super League sides competing in a club game.
It is, however, unclear which sides would be likely to take part, and whether negotiations have so far been successful.
However, the Sydney Morning Herald have suggested that Warrington Wolves could be a side taking part, saying: “Sources with knowledge of the situation not authorised to speak publicly confirmed the Super League game would kick off about lunchtime in Vegas, which would mean it is beamed into England at 9 pm on a Saturday night.
“The NRL noted that more than 1000 fans made their way to the US from England to watch the inaugural round-zero action featuring South Sydney, Manly, the Sydney Roosters and Brisbane.
“One UK club that has strong appeal is Warrington, due to their success this year (they were third on the Super League ladder going into Saturday night’s matches), their multimillionaire music promoter owner Simon Moran and the fact they are coached by former South Sydney favourite son Sam Burgess.”
They continued to suggest that the potential for Super League involvement may be having a significant impact on planning, saying: “Plans for a Super League game, to be played for competition points before the NRL double-header, have been discussed by officials in Australia and England.
“The NRL has delayed finalising the four clubs to play in Vegas next year because of the delicate negotiations involving the Super League.”
This would mark a first for Super League, as it would be the first game played in North America, since Toronto Wolfpack started playing home games at Headingley and withdrew from the season before they could play in Toronto due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
It could mark a huge opportunity to expand into a new market for the league, especially now IMG has taken over the commercial side of the game.
Clubs may also see it as necessary to take part in to avoid being further left behind by NRL as a brand.
