Can’t make it to Vegas? Sports clubs, RSLs will bring NRL party Down Under

Rugby league’s biggest stars are due to showcase their talents as the NRL season launches in Las Vegas. But live sites at clubs across NSW will give fans the chance to join the party right here. See the full list of locations.

NRL fans Michael Hanratty, Emily Tyler, Kimberley Foord and Chris Briody at Bankstown Sports Club ahead of the first round of the new NRL season. Picture: Richard Dobson

Rugby league’s biggest stars are entering a new stratosphere of superstardom as they touch down in Las Vegas, but now Sydney fans are finally getting the opportunity to bring the all-American party down under.

As the NRL delivers a bigger and better sequel to its Sin City adventure, the Australian Rugby League Commission is supporting 22 live sites in NSW simulcasting the matches on Sunday March 2, with local clubs serving up cheeseburgers and cheerleaders to thousands of supporters.

Official NRL Vegas watch parties will take place through the state from Dubbo to Dee Why, each emceed by legends of the game as club kitchens churn out Vegas-themed special menus for the occasion.

Fans who spend the day at one of the live sites to see the Canberra Raiders take on the NZ Warriors and Penrith Panthers take on the Cronulla Sharks, will also be in with a chance to win tickets to next year’s American extravaganza, with two double passes to NRL Vegas 2026 up for grabs along with jerseys and other prizes.

In Western Sydney’s rugby league heartland, Panthers Penrith CEO Brian Fletcher is expecting more than a thousand fans to descend on his leagues club alone for a “huge” line-up of special events including performances by the Pantherette cheerleaders, kids’ amusement rides and a live podcast recording.

The Pantherette cheerleaders will perform at the Panthers Penrith watch party. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

Former Panther and South Sydney Rabbitoh Josh Mansour will be among the VIP guests.

“Off the back of our last four premierships our fans are excited to kick off the NRL season with our game in Vegas,” Mr Fletcher said.

Panthers CEO Brian Fletcher. Picture: Max Mason-Hubers

“While not everyone can make it over to the game, we are bringing Vegas to Penrith this year!”

The Sharks’ Kareela club has been selected as the Shire’s official watch party location, and group CEO Dino Mezzatesta is anticipating an “electric atmosphere”.

“It’s a golden age for Sharks fans as our NRL team takes centre stage in Vegas,” he said.

“Our unforgettable watch party experience will include Vegas Showgirls, Sharks Mermaids cheerleaders, US-themed food and beverage offers and every second of live NRL in Vegas action.”

All the action: This year NRL fans won’t miss out just because they can’t be in Vegas. Picture: Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

Rugby league zealots Emily Tyler, Kimberley Foord and Chris Briody will be cheering the teams on from Bankstown Sports Club, where culinary director Evan Burgess has prepared an American feast down at the club’s Brewhouse brewery-come-sports bar.

An all-American menu will be on offer at Bankstown Sports Club, including loaded Tator Tots and smash burgers. Picture: Richard Dobson

Up to 300 fans will be glued to the action on more than 40 TV screens, dining on loaded tater tots, crispy chicken wings and bacon cheeseburgers to name a few.

For Ms Tyler the live site offers an atmosphere totally unlike the one she experienced during last year’s Vegas round debut, during which she hosted a few friends and family members at home with hot dogs.

“I think (the Vegas round) is a good initiative – it’s brought the spectacle out of the sport like the Superbowl has,” she said.

“The live sites are a great idea – it’s great that there’s an opportunity for people who wouldn’t otherwise be able to watch it,” Ms Foord added.

NRL fans at Bankstown Sports Club Michael Hanratty, Emily Tyler, Kimberley Foord and Chris Briody. Picture: Richard Dobson

Despite the excitement around the live site, former footy player Michael Hanratty remains the envy of the group, after snagging $1000 worth of sideline tickets to the big show at Allegiant Stadium.

The Vegas vacation came at the behest of Mr Hanratty’s wife, who suggested NRL Round 1 (and a few days in Hawaii) would make the perfect combined honeymoon and 40th birthday celebration.

“I’m probably the luckiest man alive,” he joked.

The “born and bred rugby league fan” retired from playing the game at age 30, and says “rugby league’s in my DNA”.

“(Vegas) is a brilliant idea from the NRL, what it’s doing is introducing a massive market in America to a new sport,” he said.

NRL Vegas 2024: The round one NRL match between Sydney Roosters and Brisbane Broncos at Allegiant Stadium. Picture: Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

The Las Vegas “festival” of rugby league will be held on Saturday March 1 local time, and is set to be a blockbuster with over 35,000 seats already sold.

NRL CEO Andrew Abdo said the league was “blown away” last year by the atmosphere fans back home generated as they gathered to watch the season opener, with Las Vegas 2025 promising to be even bigger and bolder.

“If you can’t be there in Las Vegas, there are some great events for the whole family to enjoy at local clubs across New South Wales that will offer a great atmosphere and fun experience for fans,” he said.

Official watch party ‘live sites’ will be stood up at:

1. Bankstown Sports

2. Canterbury Leagues

3. C.ex Coffs

4. Cessnock Leagues

5. Dee Why RSL

6. Dubbo RSL

7. Mounties

8. Norths Leagues

9. Panthers

10. Parra Leagues

11. Raiders Gungahlin

12. Revesby Workers

13. Sharks @ Kareela

14. St George Leagues

15. St Marys Leagues

16. Twin Towns

17. Wenty Leagues

18. West Tamworth Leagues

19. Wests Illawarra

20. Wests Macarthur

21. Wests Newcastle

22. Wyong Leagues

Originally published as Can’t make it to Vegas? Sports clubs, RSLs will bring NRL party Down Under