‘NRL has big balls’: Rugby league’s pitch to America, Vegas photos prove doubters wrong
The NRL and its broadcasters are selling rugby league to US audiences as commentators give their verdict on the foray into America.
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The NRL are already heralding the league’s second foray to Las Vegas a massive success as its broadcast partners pitch the sport to America ahead of this weekend’s action.
A crowd of 50,000 is expected to be at the state-of-the-art Allegiant Stadium on Sunday to watch four games of rugby league as the NRL kicks off the season in Vegas.
Super League champions Wigan take on Sam Burgess’ Warrington, and the Australian Jillaroos will play the England women before the two NRL games.
The Canberra Raiders play the New Zealand Warriors and four-time reigning premiers Penrith face the Cronulla Sharks in the match of the weekend.
Watch the 2025 NRL Telstra Premiership season opening double-header LIVE from Las Vegas on Kayo, SUN 2 MAR 10AM | New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited time offer.
Earlier this week, ARLC chairman Peter V’landys and NRL CEO Andrew Abdo were presented with the keys to the city this week from Clark County (NV) Commissioner Chairman Tick Segerblom.
Fox League commentator Andrew Voss said the momentum created from starting the season in Vegas was invaluable to the NRL.
“It’s just incredible what they’re pulling off,” Voss told news.com.au.
“They’ve got big balls, the NRL. They are having a real crack in a market which is just flooded. There is so much on but rugby league has a place.
“In terms of exposure and the vibe, there is no doubt Vegas has this halo effect for the game.
“It’s now being experienced in the UK. Two rounds into the Super League season, suddenly you’re having sellouts. It’s because Vegas was coming. They’ve got prime time coverage of Wigan vs Warrington.
“There’s no doubt people are full on into rugby league earlier in the season because of Vegas. It is a countdown to Vegas.
“Fox League’s pre-season games have never had bigger ratings. People are watching rugby league and it’s still summer.”
Players from the Sharks, Panthers, Warriors and Raiders have been mobbed by fans at activations and events throughout the week as rugby league fever takes over Sin City.
“You can’t walk 10 metres down the street without seeing a rugby league jersey and all the advertising on Fremont St and Resorts World,” Voss said. “They are having a red hot go.”
On Saturday (AEDT), Foxtel CEO Patrick Delany and Fox League’s Braith Anasta spent four hours fronting TV and radio interviews via satellite at Allegiant Stadium to promote the NRL’s return to Vegas and sell the games to US audiences.
In one live cross, Anasta explained: “This is our showcase event. This is big for us. To bring it to the United States of America, to get your fans hopefully on board.
“For the US fans, I like to compare it to the NFL. It’s a lot quicker and faster. It’s just as physical. You’ll see some big hits. There’s no helmets, there’s no pads, which makes it even more entertaining. It’s quite brutal.”
Delany said: “We come from this little island at the bottom of the world.
“The images that went back to Sydney and Melbourne and everywhere last year, Australians were just knocked out. It was extremely successful.
“We made a good start of Americans watching rugby league. It takes a bit of getting used to. It is similar to the NFL, just a little bit faster.”
Fox Sports have invested heavily in the NRL’s Las Vegas move, which is in the second of a five-year deal.
Fox League has taken its commentators and hosts to Vegas, with fans flocking to Fremont Street to watch NRL 360 and the Matty Johns Show broadcast this week.
The games also will be broadcast on Fox Sports 1 in America, with hopes rugby league will start to become more recognised in the United States.
Fox League’s Yvonne Sampson told news.com.au the NRL is already making inroads with American locals.
“Last year, everyone said, ‘Oh you’re here for the rugby’, whereas this year they’re saying, ‘Oh the rugby league’,” Sampson said.
“The extra ‘league’ tells us the message has got through. We’re the rugby league, they know the difference now. I think slowly the interest is growing.”
Anasta added: “This has been such an enjoyable experience trying to explain and sell the game of Rugby League to various media outlets around the US.
“We had some very funny conversations making comparisons to the NFL and other codes. They might not understand the rules of NRL just yet but they loved our passion and hopefully that translates into some new fans watching tomorrow.”
Premiership winner Michael Ennis said Americans were particularly intrigued by the women’s game between the Jillaroos and England.
“Talking to so many of the Americans, the other layer to it is the women’s Test is going to be incredibly well received over here,” he told news.com.au
“I think the Americans will absolutely respond to seeing them play.
“They love the no stoppage. They’re fascinated by the no pads and no helmets. They’re really excited about watching the women’s Test.”
Ennis added: “The numbers here are through the roof. You cannot walk through the streets without seeing waves of NRL jerseys.
“Peter V’landys and from our persepctive, Patrick Delany and Steve Crawley from Fox Sports — it’s one thing saying you want to do it but delivering the product, so much goes into it. Andrew Abdo as well, every time I see him over here he’s on the phone or shaking hands.
“The clubs, fans and members have responded in enormous numbers. It’s an enormous event, it really is.”
Delany said: “We’re less than 24 hours out from the games and we’ve been spruiking the religion of Rugby League far and wide across all corners of the United States as part of a press blitz to support the league.
“It was extraordinary to see the field rolled in and posts go up during these live interviews at Allegiant Stadium. American viewers got a little taste today and no doubt they will be blown away by what they see tomorrow.”
NRL 2025 Las Vegas games, Sunday March 1
Wigan Warriors v Warrington Wolves (8:30am AEDT)
Canberra Raiders v New Zealand Warriors (11:00am AEDT)
Australian Jillaroos vs England Women (1:15pm AEDT)
Penrith Panthers vs Cronulla Sharks (3:30pm AEDT).
The only place to watch all four games of Rugby League in Las Vegas live is Fox League, available on Kayo Sports.
Originally published as ‘NRL has big balls’: Rugby league’s pitch to America, Vegas photos prove doubters wrong
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