Inside the battle by NRL clubs to train at world’s best facilities in US

In what has developed into a 24/7 race for the best available fields, gyms, hotels, transport and expert advice, all four clubs are leaving nothing to chance ahead of the game’s first international season launch in Las Vegas.

South Sydney are planning to use the same facilities as Manchester United in a bid to launch their season on a high in Las Vegas.

The Broncos have turned to the playbook of two-time NFL Superbowl champions the LA Rams, the Sea Eagles are taking advice from the UFC, while the Roosters are looking at using the $20 million-dollar facilities of the most prestigious universities in America.

Party time for the NRL in the US? Don’t even think about it.

The race for NRL premiership points in Las Vegas, on Sunday March 3, 2024 (AEDT), has begun with the four history-making clubs searching for any performance edge they can find.

In what has developed into a 24/7 race for the best available fields, gyms, hotels, transport and expert advice, all four clubs are leaving nothing to chance ahead of the game‘s first international season launch at Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas.

The Rabbitohs will be at the UCLA campus.

All four clubs are planning to stay at separate locations with leading club officials headed to the US on a reconnaissance mission to finalise their itinerary next month.

The Rabbitohs are aiming to tick-off on a deal that would see them fly to the US two weeks prior to their round one clash with the Sea Eagles and be based at the University of California in San Diego.

Manchester United used the world-class campus facilities ahead of their friendly match against Wrexham in the US earlier this year.

The UC San Diego boasts five training fields, a 3,000 square-feet indoor swimming centre, two gyms, two tennis courts and a rock climbing wall.

In order to minimise distraction, the Rabbitohs plan to fly from San Diego to Las Vegas just 48-hours before tackling Manly.

“At the end of the day this is a competition round with two-points on offer,” Rabbitohs CEO Blake Solly said.

“We want this to be as professional and our players as well prepared as they can be.

“The game is not only important in the context to our season, but to put our best foot forward on the American stage, and we're leaving no stone unturned to make sure our players are ready.’’

The Sydney Roosters are considering preparing for their Round Zero clash at the University of California, Los Angeles. Credit: Supplied

Manly chief executive Tony Mestrov revealed the club had been using an expert in logistics on the ground in America and had also been in talks with the UFC and the University of Nevada, where the Sea Eagles can finalise their preparations.

Mestrov plans to fly to Las Vegas next month with key members of the football department to finalise their plans.

“We have made contact with the UFC and University of Nevada in order to train when we are in Vegas,” Mestrov said.

“We will be in Vegas the entire time.

“Anthony Seibold (head coach), myself and John Bonasera (football manager) will be travelling in mid-November so we should be able to confirm all our training venues then.”

The Roosters are yet to confirm their training base ahead of their round one clash against the Broncos.

However, they are in high-level talks with three of the most prestigious colleges in Los Angeles, including UCLA, USC and LMU.

The Broncos have struck a deal that will see the 2023 grand finalists based in Los Angeles instead of Vegas, training at the LA Rams’ facility at Cal Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks.

Manly will prepare at the University of Las Vegas, Nevada. Credit: Supplied

“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 F.C, so it’s an enormous benefit to be in that elite environment, and to be linking up with that winning history and knowledge,‘’ Broncos CEO Dave Donaghy said.

“Taking our 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.

As revealed by this masthead last Sunday, the NRL are on the verge of striking a broadcast deal with Fox Sports 1 to showcase the double-header and of which would open the door to an audience reach of 73 million homes in America.

WHERE CLUBS ARE LOOKING TO SET UP BASE CAMP

Rabbitohs: University of California, San Diego

Broncos: Cal Lutheran University, Thousand Oaks

Sea Eagles: University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Roosters: University of California, Los Angeles/University of Southern California, Los Angeles/Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles