Buzz: Fans proof that NRL in Las Vegas can become as big as State of Origin

Any NRL club that chooses not to come to Las Vegas in future years is robbing its fans of a lifetime rugby league experience, and you only need to speak to fans like 73-year-old Narelle Barry from Berry to see the impact.

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Welcome to Magic Round on steroids.

Any NRL club that chooses not to come to Las Vegas in future years is robbing its fans of a lifetime rugby league experience.

This has been off-the-charts, unparalleled excitement in the entertainment capital of the world for thousands of Panthers, Sharks, Warriors, Raiders, Warrington and Wigan fans from the moment they landed at the Harry Reid International Airport till they marched into Allegiant Stadium.

A day that meant more than the Raiders knocking off the Warriors and the excitement building around Ricky Stuart and the Green Machine’s premiership credentials – plus the barnstorming performance from the baseball bat man Hudson Young.

Fans travelled from everywhere for the games. Picture: Jonathan Ng

Or the mighty Panthers getting their title defence off to a flying start with a victory over the Sharks in a tight finish after a day of blowouts.

The shrinking number of knockers since this concept was launched haven’t been here to experience what has quickly grown into a bucket list sporting occasion.

Your columnist has covered Super Bowls, soccer World Cups in Brazil and Russia, Olympics, cricket Test matches, Origins, grand finals … you name it.

This atmosphere is up there with the best of them.

The people in the streets, the casinos and the bars who have turned it into one massive party week – with no-one even complaining about paying almost $26 (AUD) for a beer or $27 (AUD) for a sub sandwich at the stadium because of the crappy exchange rate.

Las Vegas in 2025 sold more tickets than last year. Picture: Ethan Miller/Getty Images/AFP

To think the game has come this far from old Henson Park, Lidcombe and North Sydney Oval.

When loose change would get you a beer and hotdog at the footy.

The crowd of 45,209 (up from 40,746 last year) was a little below expectations but Peter V’landys insists it is only going to get bigger.

“It’s been fantastic but we can do even better,” he said.

“The NRL team has done an unbelievable job but we’re going to make it bigger and take it to the next level next year.”

Wests Tigers chief executive Shane Richardson is on record as saying he doesn’t want to play here.

That’s his prerogative … but the only losers are his fans.

Yes, it’s a tough road trip and a challenging way to start the season from a high-performance recovery point of view.

But some things in rugby league are worth more than two competition points.

Yes, we had a couple of blowout score lines.

The Panthers started their 2025 campaign off with a bang.

But the big picture is about growth, new ventures and broadening your brand.

About giving your fans more than weekly suburban football.

Every club and every fan in the competition should get to experience it.

It’s why the clubs run by big businessmen Nick Politis (Roosters) and Scott Penn (Manly) want to come back for a second time.

They understand the benefits from being here.

So does St George Illawarra boss Andrew Lancaster and Bulldogs chairman Adam Driussi, who both spent the afternoon among the corporate high flyers in V’landys’ suite pitching their case to be here next season.

And Brian Fletcher, the Penrith boss: “This is huge … and where’s the AFL this weekend? We want to come back. It’s been the best experience for our fans.”

We meet John from Washington among the punters in the stands.

This guy gets out of bed at 2.30am throughout the footy season to watch live rugby league on the NRL app. He never misses a game.

“I’m a tragic, an absolute tragic,” he says, “To have rugby league in America is my dream.”

Narelle Barry, the 47-year volunteer canteen worker at the Berry Magpies, was invited into Peter V'landys suite.

And then the most beautiful story of 73-year-old Narelle Barry.

A 47-year volunteer in the canteen at Berry Magpies in the Southern Highlands and a life member, renowned for her beef and gravy rolls at Berry Showground where the Magpies are based.

She came to Las Vegas on her own but bumped into Peter V’landys, who invited her into his private suite alongside all the corporate heavyweights, media bosses, Gus Gould, Ray Hadley, Laurie Daley and the NRL club chairmen and CEOs.

She says, almost in tears: “I will never, ever forget this day.”

Everyone else felt the same.

I honestly think we’ll look back in 20 years and this annual season launch will be as big as State of Origin.

Yes, it’s a big statement. But it will happen.

Originally published as Buzz: Fans proof that NRL in Las Vegas can become as big as State of Origin