NRL in Las Vegas: Four clubs confirmed for historic US fixture

With the teams heading to Las Vegas for the NRL’s extravaganza confirmed, these are the likely fixtures set to take rugby league to the US.

The Broncos are one of four teams heading to Las Vegas next year. Picture: Getty Images

Manly is expected to take on South Sydney while the Roosters will play the Broncos in an historic double header in Las Vegas to kickstart the competition next year.

After multiple false dawns and months of speculation, the NRL finally confirmed they are taking the game to the US.

Manly, South Sydney, Roosters and Brisbane became the final four after Melbourne and Canberra were the other two clubs in the final consideration for the match.

The Sea Eagles and the Roosters will be considered the home sides with the NRL planning to put on a week of Australian-themed festivities.

Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas will host a historic NRL double-header.

South Sydney co-owner Russell Crowe is expected to play some part, as will Manly mega fan Hugh Jackman. The NRL are also expected to coincide the match with a concert, UFC and boxing bout.

Sea Eagles boss Tony Mestrov said his club were thrilled to be part of the event.

“It’s a big opportunity, not only for the game but the Manly club,” Mestrov said. “Scott Penn our chairman lives in New York so there are some financial opportunities on top of this adventure.

“It is exciting to be pioneers in the US for rugby league. It will be a great experience for the whole club.

“At the end of the day we’re there to win a game of footy. We are mindful of that but the experience this is something everyone in the club can look back on as a potential once in a lifetime.”

The NRL’s Las Vegas double-header will kick-off on March 2 next year. Picture: Getty Images

The 65,000 seat Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas is home to NFL side Las Vegas Raiders. Those clubs who missed out are expected to be given an opportunity in future years with the NRL hopeful of rotating through sides in the next five years.

The match will be shown on Sunday March 3 in Australia with the rest of the competition to complete round one the following week. The four sides will have that week off to recover.

NRL boss Andrew Abdo confirmed there would be an “Australian-themed” week in Las Vegas,

“The 2024 Las Vegas matches will form part of an exciting ‘Australia Week’ in Las Vegas where we will be showcasing rugby league and Australia to the US market,” Abdo said

“We are now working collaboratively with the four clubs to finalise arrangements for the proposed matches in Las Vegas and make this a blockbuster event for fans by maximising travel, attendance and enjoyment of a unique rugby league experience,” Abdo said.

Ten clubs put in submissions to be part of the event. South Sydney boss Blake Solly said his club had a natural link with the US.

“The profile of our club in North America began developing through one of our investors in Russell Crowe back in 2008,” Solly said. “It will continue to climb through our most recent investor in Mike Cannon-Brookes and his connections with the Utah Jazz NBA franchise in 2024. We see great support for our club wherever we play, including in the United States in 2008 and the UK in 2015 when we won the World Club Challenge over St Helens.”

Originally published as NRL in Las Vegas: Four clubs confirmed for historic US fixture