Broncos, Manly, Roosters and Rabbitohs headed to Las Vegas in 2024

The NRL’s bold overseas venture is drawing closer with the league announcing the four clubs who will be heading to Las Vegas next season.

The NRL is going to Las Vegas. Picture: Supplied

Manly, South Sydney and the Sydney Roosters have been chosen to join the Brisbane Broncos in launching the 2024 NRL season in Las Vegas.

The league confirmed the four clubs on Friday, with the NRL season to start in the US for the first time in the game’s history.

Games will be played on March 2, a Saturday night in the US, as a double-header at Allegiant Stadium, home of the Las Vegas Raiders in the NFL.

The matches will be beamed back to Australia on Sunday afternoon.

“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,” NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo said.

Vegas...here we come! 👏

Sea Eagles one of four clubs chosen for 2024 historic #NRL season opener https://t.co/sQaAVxcLv9#ManlyForeverpic.twitter.com/FdudjmDjm0

— Manly Warringah Sea Eagles (@SeaEagles) August 11, 2023

“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.”

The four clubs were chosen after a “competitive process”, with other clubs, including Melbourne Storm, keen to head to the US.

The make-up of the two games – which teams play against each other – remains to be confirmed.

Peter V'landys and Andrew Abdo inside Vegas’ Allegiant Stadium. Picture: Supplied

Rabbitohs chief executive Blake Solly said the experience of playing an exhibition game in the US in 2008 made them keen to be part of the Vegas experiment.

“The NRL asked for expressions of interest to be included in the Las Vegas event and we put our hand up, having previously had the experience of taking a game to the United States in 2008,” Solly said.

“It will be an exciting adventure for not only our players and staff to be a part of this historic event, but it will also give our members and supporters the opportunity to travel the world to watch their team play in the United States.

“The profile of our club in North America began developing through one of our investors in Russell Crowe back in 2008, and it will continue to climb through our most recent investor in Mike Cannon-Brookes and his connections with the Utah Jazz NBA franchise in 2024.

“We see great support for our club wherever we play.”

Originally published as Broncos, Manly, Roosters and Rabbitohs headed to Las Vegas in 2024