It’s a Sin City jackpot for NRL

Rugby league is on the verge of crashing through the $100m barrier in Las Vegas, with local tourism officials so impressed by the game’s economic impact they want to discuss an extension of their deal with the NRL.

Rugby league is on the verge of crashing through the $100m barrier in Las Vegas, with local tourism officials so impressed by the game’s economic impact they want to discuss an extension of their deal with the NRL.

Last year’s double-header was worth more than $77m to Sin City in terms of the local economic impact.

However, this year’s quadruple-header, featuring a women’s Test and two English clubs, is set to leave that number in the dust and generate a nine-figure sum.

Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority boss Steve Hill confirmed the figures and revealed the city’s officials were open to extending their five-year deal with the NRL, which runs until 2028.

Peter V'landys says the NRL has a five-year plan for breaking into Las Vegas, but it was already succeeding. Picture: Richard Dobson

Clubs yet to feature in the season-opening showcase are also clamouring to get involved, with the Eels, Knights, Cowboys, Bulldogs and Dragons in contention for 2026.

ARL Commission chairman Peter V’landys revealed the teams currently in the running during an interview with The Daily Telegraph at the Conrad Hotel yesterday.

“They are the shortlist at this stage … but the submissions still have to come in,” he said.

“The Bulldogs and St George Illawarra are definitely ones that we are looking at.

“North Queensland, Newcastle, Parramatta, they are in the mix at the moment.”

Officials from the Eels, Bulldogs, Knights and Cowboys all told The Daily Telegraph yesterday they want to be on board for next year. The prospect of the Eels, who boast one of the biggest supporter bases in rugby league, featuring is highly enticing for league officials as they attempt to sell out the 65,000-seat Allegiant Stadium in the years ahead.

V’Landys said he had “a five-year plan” to make that happen, adding: “It’s not going to happen overnight.”

“It’s already been a success,’’ he said. “(But) there are various forms of revenue we can generate for the game. One is promoting the game (in America) on watchnrl.com.

“Our subscriptions rose dramatically last year … over 80% increase … we just have to continue to grow that.”

V’Landys believes about 20,000 Australians, 10,000 English fans and another 8000 spectators from New Zealand will descend on the Vegas strip for this weekend’s event.

“The season-opener has become an event. Not only here … but in Australia. We are celebrating the opening round of the NRL which we never used to do before” he said.

V’landys also addressed the late-night altercation over a hotel bed between Canberra Raiders stars Hudson Young and Morgan Smithies, saying: “As far as incidents go, there could be a lot worse. If that’s the worst we have for the Vegas trip, I’ll be happy.”

Originally published as It’s a Sin City jackpot for NRL