NRL Las Vegas game cancelled for bizarre reason

The NRL’s Las Vegas weekend has hit a hurdle with a showpiece game cancelled for a bizarre reason in a classic rugby league fiasco.

The NRL’s weekend action in Las Vegas has hit its first snag, with an international showcase of rugby league cancelled due to a power outage.

Greece and the USA were scheduled to play a game at Silverbowl Park on the outskirts of Las Vegas, but the match had to be called off due to safety issues.

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.

The game, which was supposed to be the first of two matches between the teams, was scheduled to start at 1pm AEDT on Thursday but was postponed due to problems with the floodlights.

Players stood around for a couple of hours before a decision was eventually made to cancel the match.

The International RL account wrote on X: “The USA v Greece match has been called off due to player safety caused by lighting issues at Silverbowl Park, Las Vegas.

“The issue was caused by thieves stealing the copper from the light. Electricians from Clarke County were unable to rectify the issue.”

At the Greece v USA rugby league game and currently it can’t kick off as there are power issues to the field lights. Very rugby league problems. pic.twitter.com/44FL7iKttK

— Fraser Kendall (@fraserkendall) February 27, 2025

The game has been rescheduled for Friday afternoon local time (Saturday AEDT), so hopefully there won’t be any lighting issues if the match is played in daylight hours.

The Greek women’s team is also set to play their USA counterparts for the first time on Friday local time.

The Greece vs USA game was cancelled.

Former NRL player Daniel Vidot, who enjoyed a successful WWE career, is suiting up for Team USA.

A 25-man Greek squad has travelled to the US, with five players selected from the domestic competition in Greece.

Last week the LA Roosters hosted the Greek team at Long Beach, California for a joint training session.

The Greek team is sponsored by Sydney Roosters chairman Nick Politis and the LA Roosters owned by the NRL club.

On Sunday, four games will be held at Las Vegas’ Allegiant Stadium, where a crowd of 50,000 is expected.

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.

The Raiders play the Warriors and the Panthers take on the Sharks in Vegas this weekend. Picture: Jonathan Ng

Fox League’s Yvonne Sampson told news.com.au the NRL is already making inroads with American locals in the second year of the league’s five-year deal with Las Vegas.

“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.”

The NRL is also holding the first ever NRL Talent Combine in Las Vegas for 25 female and 25 male athletes.

“We were so excited to see an Aussie in Jordan Mailata be part of a Super Bowl winning team, up in the bright lights,” Sampson said.

“Imagine if we were able to return serve and really bring some of the American athletes into the spotlight of the NRL.”

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.