Major Sydney club pulls out of Las Vegas race as battle for a ticket approaches deadline

The NRL has put a deadline for any club wanting to submit their formal 2025 Las Vegas application. See who’s in, who’s out and which clubs are on the shortlist.

NRL 2024 RD01 Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles v South Sydney Rabbitohs - Reuben Garrick, try, celeb. Picture: NRL Photos

The countdown to decide which clubs will be headed to Las Vegas next year is about to be realised.

And there’s already a major withdrawal from the hugely-anticipated race with the Bulldogs opting out of contention for the NRL’s 2025 season launch in Sin City.

The NRL has put a deadline of the close of business on Friday for any club wanting to submit their formal application.

Any club that chooses not to forward a submission will be overlooked and told to try again in 2026.

Canterbury, with their relatively young squad that lacks the experience that each of the four inaugural teams boasted this year, have decided against being considered.

It’s understood the Dogs will aim their hopes towards being part of the NRL’s US odyssey in either 2026 or 2027.

The Panthers sit in the box seat to secure their ticket to the States. Picture: Getty Images

With premiers Penrith considered short-priced favourites to secure a ticket to the US next year, this masthead can reveal there remains a hugely congested field that are eager to be part of the Las Vegas kick-off next year.

Much of the interest from rival clubs relates to the overwhelming success of the NRL’s double-header between the Rabbitohs and Sea Eagles and Roosters and Broncos at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas last month.

Over 40,000 people attended the landmark event with around 14,000 travelling from Australia.

The NRL believes it can achieve a crowd of over 50,000 next year with in excess of 20,000 supporters making the trip.

It can be revealed that the clubs that are planning to submit their application on Friday include the Storm, Knights, Raiders, Eels, Sharks, Cowboys, The Dolphins, Warriors and Dragons.

The Storm have previously been reported as joint-favourites alongside the Panthers to secure a ticket having narrowly missed out this year, however Melbourne are no certainties and instead will be assessed by the NRL like every other applicant.

To many, the Cowboys would be viewed as a frontrunner to be chosen as one of the four clubs, the most high-profile of Queensland clubs, outside the Broncos.

What could be problematic for the Cowboys is that they are understandably protective of their home games in Townsville and therefore they are likely to only pursue a ticket to Las Vegas if they were chosen as an “away” team.

In addition, the incentive to improve as clubs has never been greater with the NRL apprehensive about handing a ticket to clubs that have been struggling for wins in recent years, which would include the Wests Tigers, Titans and Dragons.

The Titans won’t be applying on Friday with a stern focus on cementing themselves as a consistent football side.

The four clubs that made history in Las Vegas, including the Rabbitohs, Sea Eagles, Roosters and Broncos, are unlikely to be considered by the NRL.

The ARLC is determined to showcase as many different clubs as possible to the US across the five-year contract.

As part of the application, the NRL have asked all clubs to provide hard numbers related to their brand reach, membership count and hugely important corporate support.

The Titans are no chance of getting to Vegas. Picture: Getty Images

The Panthers have long been considered frontrunners to secure a ticket, not only due to their extraordinary success with three straight premierships, but also due to their unavailability of BlueBet Stadium, which will undergo a renovation at the end of this season.

Having narrowly been pipped for selection this year, the Storm have already declared they are happy to be the ‘away’ team against the Panthers.

The Raiders also went close to being chosen this year. With their high-level government relationships in the nation’s capital, notably with DFAT (Department of Foreign Trade and Affairs) and their synergy and similar branding to NFL team the Las Vegas Raiders, they are serious contenders for a ticket.

The Sharks, Knights and Eels have made no secret of their desire to be considered, with each club providing a detailed portfolio of their fan base and corporate support.

The Warriors are of major interest to the NRL due to their ability to lure a nation of supporters from New Zealand to the US.

Several clubs that this masthead spoke to will lodge their application on Friday, but won’t necessarily push ahead until they receive further information from the NRL on costs, logistics and feedback on the physical impact of the team’s.