Sydney Roosters put their hand up to become first club to play in Las Vegas twice

The Roosters are fully committed to growing the game in the US - formally putting forward a pitch to play there a second time in 2026.

The Roosters have become the first team to put their hand up to return to Las Vegas as the NRL pushes to make a decision on which clubs will play in the 2026 opener.

The Roosters were part of the inaugural clash in Las Vegas last year, but they are so enamoured by the concept that they have put in a formal application to take part again next year.

They Roosters have shown they are keen to invest in the game in America by launching an academy, supporting the LA Roosters and throwing their weight behind the Las Vegas nines tournament.

Manly are keen to go again but did not apply, while South Sydney and Brisbane – the two other teams who went last year – have not applied.

The Roosters have formally asked to be considered for Las Vegas in 2026. Picture: Todd Martyn-Jones

Whilst the Roosters are unlikely to be fast-tracked back to Las Vegas, they have put forward their case and are comfortable with being the home team which some clubs who have applied have been hesitant to do.

St George Illawarra and Canterbury are all but certainties to be among the four teams who kick start the competition next year while the likes of North Queensland, the Dolphins, Melbourne, Parramatta and Newcastle are also keen.

With the Dragons and Bulldogs shaping as two of the four sides, the NRL may be hard-pressed picking the Eels as they may be caught short of a potential large fan base heading over in 2027.

The Roosters on Allegiant Stadium. Picture: David Becker

The Tigers have been the only club so far to flatly reject any notion of heading to the US to play.

The NRL are in the midst of fine-tuning the schedule for next season with one game likely to be scrapped after four matches proved to be too many on the same day this year. It would leave the women’s game in jeopardy given the success of the Super League clubs travelling.

The NRL are hopeful they will have a decision before the end of next month regarding which teams will play to enable more time for those fans to purchase tickets.

Originally published as Sydney Roosters put their hand up to become first club to play in Las Vegas twice