NRL 2024: Canberra Raiders emerge as surprise contenders for Las Vegas season launch

There is already one Raiders team in Las Vegas, but there could soon be another, with Canberra emerging as a surprise contender for the NRL season launch in 2025.

Las Vegas already has the Raiders NFL team.

Now the Americans may be about to adopt the Raiders from Canberra as their favourite NRL team.

The Green Machine have emerged as serious contenders to land a ticket to Las Vegas with the NRL in the final stages of choosing the four teams to launch the 2025 season in the US next year.

It has been widely-considered that the Panthers, Warriors, Sharks and Storm were the favourites to launch the NRL season at Allegiant Stadium next year.

The Eels and Raiders were considered outside chances from the remaining clubs interested in showcasing rugby league to the US.

However, The Daily Telegraph understands Canberra are firming as the team that could force their way into the final four.

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA – APRIL 14: Raiders players celebrate a field goal by Jamal Fogarty during the round six NRL match between Canberra Raiders and Gold Coast Titans at GIO Stadium, on April 14, 2024, in Canberra, Australia. (Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images)

A major factor in the decision is how each of the candidates can prove to the NRL how well they will be supported in Las Vegas with travelling fans.

Over 40,000 people attended the landmark event with around 14,000 travelling from Australia.

The NRL believes it can achieve a crowd in excess of 50,000 next year with over 20,000 supporters making the trip.

Much of the interest from rival clubs relates to the overwhelming success of the NRL’s double-header between the Rabbitohs and Sea Eagles and Roosters and Broncos at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas last month.

The NRL’s inaugural season launch in Las Vegas was a tremendous success. Picture: Getty Images

What isn’t widely known is how close the Raiders went to being chosen this year.

With their high-level government relationships in the nation’s capital, notably with DFAT (Department of Foreign Trade and Affairs) and their synergy and similar branding to NFL team the Las Vegas Raiders, they are serious contenders for a ticket in 2025.

Premiers Penrith are certain to be chosen, while the Warriors and Sharks have also provided strong applications to the NRL to show why they should be chosen for the second edition of the game’s US sojourn.

The ARLC is determined to showcase as many different clubs as possible to the US across the five-year contract.

As part of the application, the NRL have asked all clubs to provide hard numbers related to their brand reach, membership count and hugely important corporate support.

Originally published as NRL 2024: Canberra Raiders emerge as surprise contenders for Las Vegas season launch