NRL 2023: Broncos sign deal with Los Angeles Rams as Brisbane prepare for Las Vegas double header

The NRL is going to Las Vegas, but Brisbane won’t be partying in Sin City. Instead the Broncos will go into an Origin-style camp in Los Angeles, after signing a historic deal with the Rams.

The Broncos have signed a historic deal with two-time NFL Super Bowl champions Los Angeles Rams as Brisbane fire a warning shot at NRL rivals the Roosters ahead of their Las Vegas blockbuster.

Queensland’s flagship NRL club has inked a partnership agreement with the LA Rams in a sign the Broncos are deadly serious about succeeding in their season opener in the US next year.

The NRL will make history by kicking off the 2024 premiership on American soil with the Broncos to face the Roosters, while Manly will take on Souths at the 65,000-capacity Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on Sunday, March 3 (AEDT).

The Broncos will train at the facility of two-time Super Bowl champions, Los Angeles Rams, as they leave no stone unturned for their Las Vegas NRL debut.

But Broncos coach Kevin Walters has no interest in letting his players loose on a boozy, Hangover-style holiday in Sin City.

Brisbane are ‘Coming to America’ meaning business.

The NRL title contenders have struck a deal that will see the Broncos based in Los Angeles instead of Vegas, training at the LA Rams’ facility at Cal Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks.

The State of Origin-style camp, 435km away from the bright lights and distractions of Vegas, will ensure the Broncos are fully focused on drawing first blood against the Roosters in their landmark NRL debut in America.

Walters confirmed the Broncos will have exclusive use of the operations of the Rams, who won the 2022 Super Bowl, as Brisbane look to come out firing in Vegas — possibly as reigning NRL premiers.

“We are very grateful to Los Angeles for opening Rams HQ to us very soon,” Walters said.

“We’re looking forward to getting over there a little earlier, getting settled, and having a home-away-from-home base for our preparation in the lead-up to that Vegas match.

“A lot of our boys follow the NFL, and are avid watchers of it, so this will be great to have the chance to see the Rams’ set-up and I’m sure learn a few things from each other as well.

“We’re certainly wishing their team every success for their season that has just begun.

“While it will be an exciting time, and the world will be watching, the most important thing to remember is that there are two competition points up for grabs over there.

“That will be our priority.”

Brisbane were one of the first NRL clubs to embark on American study trips.

Broncos coach Walters is chasing premiership points, not parties, in Las Vegas.

Club founder Barry Maranta and former coach Wayne Bennett made regular visits to the US to inspect sporting setups, but no Broncos team has previously struck a deal with an NFL franchise.

LA Rams chief operating officer Kevin Demoff hopes the two-time Super Bowl kings can be Brisbane’s added weapon in their mission to topple fellow NRL glamour club the Roosters.

“We are looking forward to welcoming a first-class team in the Broncos to our facility next February as they prepare for the NRL opener,” Demoff said.

“As we continue to deepen our connection with fans in Australia, it is a tremendous opportunity to partner with one of their most successful rugby league clubs.

“We are grateful to Dave (Donaghy, Broncos CEO) and his organisation for their partnership and we can‘t wait for them to join us here next year.“

Brisbane’s $27 million training base at Red Hill is the envy of many NRL rivals and Donaghy said the Broncos are chasing premiership points, not parties, when they touch down in Los Angeles.

“We’re incredibly proud to partner with the Los Angeles Rams ahead of our historic trip to the United States next year,” he said.

Broncos skipper Adam Reynolds backed the NRL’s Vegas venture.

“I’d like to thank Kevin Demoff and the Rams organisation for the opportunity.

“Their training facility is the same one from where the Rams won their most recent Super Bowl title in 2022 and has also just recently hosted Arsenal (English Premier League football club).

“It’s an enormous benefit to be in that elite environment, and to be linking up with that winning history and knowledge.

“Taking our football program to the United States will be a significant undertaking, but having a hub in Los Angeles settled so soon will provide us with a strong base to build from when the team arrives next February.”

Broncos skipper Adam Reynolds backed the NRL’s Vegas venture, labelling it a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for many players.

“It will be awesome,” Reynolds said.

“Vegas is a favourite spot of mine, I’ve been over there four or five times, although we won’t be staying there, we will be staying in LA.

“It‘s still a great opportunity to get over there and experience something different in rugby league.

“Especially at this stage of my career, I don’t know what the future holds in the game for me, so it will be great to get over there and have a unique experience.”