Brisbane Broncos locked in for the NRL’s historic Las Vegas fixture
The resurgent Broncos will be one of four teams to headline the NRL’s bold venture to Las Vegas for next year’s historic premiership launch.
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The Brisbane Broncos are going to Sin City.
This masthead can reveal the resurgent Broncos will be one of four teams to headline the NRL’s bold venture to Las Vegas for next year’s historic premiership launch on American soil.
The ARL Commission is expected to formally announce the 2024 premiership double header in Las Vegas over the next 24 hours and the Broncos are locked in as one of the NRL’s quartet of flagbearers.
It is understood the ARL Commission received submissions from 10 clubs to partake in the inaugural American odyssey, with South Sydney, the Roosters, Manly and Melbourne among the interested parties.
The NRL has yet to finalise the Awesome Foursome as part of the code’s five-year, 10-game plan to promote rugby league in the Land of Opportunity until the end of 2028.
But the one certainty is the Broncos - one of the biggest brands in Australian sport - will be part of the NRL’s Sin City showpiece.
The Broncos could go to Vegas as the NRL’s defending premiers if Kevin Walters’ troops continue their irrepressible surge towards this year’s title.
Brisbane were considered early favourites to clinch one berth. Queensland’s flagship sporting team is one of the NRL’s richest clubs with a $60 million empire and News Corp media mogul Lachlan Murdoch is a passionate Broncos fan.
Brisbane boss Dave Donaghy declined to comment on Tuesday but said last month the club was keen to give Broncos players such as skipper Adam Reynolds a unique offshore NRL experience.
“The Broncos have stated our interest in a Las Vegas game, but we are no wiser yet around any further detail,” Donaghy said.
“Any decision will need to be on the right terms regarding the impact on team performance, club finances and our members.
“Subject to aligning with our schedule and planning, I’m sure we would have a level of interest to have a discussion about what an NRL double header in Vegas would look like.
“The one thing we want to provide for our players and staff and fans is really great opportunities.
“If you have the opportunity to play an NRL game at a stadium like that in Vegas, it would be negligent of us not to look at and give it serious consideration.
“We look forward to receiving an update from the NRL in due course.”
The Sea Eagles are another team in frontline contention for selection.
The NRL will host an ‘Australia Week’ sporting and cultural spectacular in Las Vegas and they are keen to engage the ambassadorial services of legendary actor Hugh Jackman, who is a Manly supporter.
Broncos stars such as Reece Walsh, Reynolds, Selwyn Cobbo and Payne Haas will be among rugby league’s pioneers when they run onto Vegas’ 65,000-capacity Allegiant Stadium.
The groundbreaking double header is slated for Saturday, March 2 in America with proposed kick-off times of 5pm and 8pm, which would see the games screened on Sunday afternoon for Australian fans.
The NFL Super Bowl will be played at Allegiant on February 11 next year, giving Vegas stadium chiefs a three-week runway to have the venue ready for the NRL’s blockbuster.
Under the five-year contract to be rubber-stamped by the ARL Commission, all 17 teams will get a taste of NRL action in Vegas.
Two-time premiers Penrith and the Warriors will not be part of the NRL’s maiden Vegas venture in 2024.
Dolphins super coach Wayne Bennett, who was part of State of Origin’s exhibition game in Los Angeles with Queensland in 1987, is keen to return to America, but the NRL’s 17th franchise may have to wait until 2025.
“I’d love to go with the Dolphins,” Bennett said.
“Vegas is my favourite place in America and we’ve got the same name as the Miami Dolphins, so there’s some promotional links there.”
Originally published as Brisbane Broncos locked in for the NRL’s historic Las Vegas fixture
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