‘We have taken over Vegas’: 10,000 fans pack NRL 2025 season launch event

It was meant to be a rugby league spectacle but it turned into a dance-off, as fans packed downtown Las Vegas to party with all eight teams in a red carpet spectacular.

Rugby league took flight in Las Vegas 12 months ago – this year it has returned bigger and better than ever.

Louder, prouder and ready to conquer on America. The NRL fan fest in Fremont Street in downtown Las Vegas on Friday was a seething mass of rugby league humanity.

There was a sea of jerseys with all 17 NRL clubs represented, plus Super League teams Wigan and Warrington, and the Australian and English women’s sides.

Best estimates suggest more than 10,000 punters squeezed into Fremont Street. Rugby league and its players put on a show.

“It is insane,” Australian Jillaroos star Isabelle Kelly said.

Wigan supporters mixed with Canberra fans. Penrith faithful stood shoulder to shoulder with their Sharks counterparts.

They danced, they sung and they screamed as the teams took turns filing onto the stage.

The players responded in kind. Warriors lock Dylan Walker promised to take someone’s head off.

More than 10,000 people gathered at the NRL fan day on Fremont Street in downtown Las Vegas.

England’s women’s team danced their way onto the stage to up the tempo, before Jillaroos star Sarah Togatuki busted out her best moves and sent the crowd into a frenzy.

The Sharks followed suit, with Will Kennedy, Braydon Trindal and Braden Hamlin-Uele getting in the spirit of the event.

In a surprise twist, Penrith cult hero Brian To’o then produced his trademark moves on stage, and even did the splits, despite a hamstring issue that has ruled him out of Sunday’s clash with Cronulla.

Injured Panthers star Brian To'o dances on stage. Picture: Getty Images

Co-captain Nathan Cleary vowed to give the fans their money’s worth.

“It’s mind blowing,” Cleary said.

“Massive thank you to all the Penrith fans, all the fans who are here, really. We’ll put on a show for you guys.”

Rugby league had a party and Sin City came along for the ride. Who would have thought? Peter V’landys and Andrew Abdo, that’s who. The ARL commission chair and NRL chief executive stood adjacent to the stage, beaming like proud parents.

Nathan Cleary taking a selfie with on stage. Picture: Jonathan Ng

This was their baby. Last year it flapped its wings. This year it took soared. Rugby league took over Vegas.

“It is totally surreal and unbelievable,” V’landys said.

“We’re in the biggest sporting market in the world and we have taken over Vegas. The highlight for me has been the two women’s teams — they got on stage and danced, they pumped up the audience. I am so glad we have able to promote the women’s game.”

Even NRL great Johnathan Thurston admitted to suffering from a severe case of FOMO that he didn’t get to play in Las Vegas, having retired at the end of 2018

“I’m a little bit jealous that I don’t actually get to play,” Thurston said, praising the decision to include the English Super League and women’s Test match in an expanded quadruple header in 2025.

“It’s great to have more content here in Vegas and growing the game. And showing how tough and brutal our sport is.

“I’ve got the best seat in the house. I get to sit on the sideline and watch all the games.”

* The NRL has helped fund our team’s travel expenses to Las Vegas

Originally published as ‘We have taken over Vegas’: 10,000 fans pack NRL 2025 season launch event