The NRL is exploring another ambitious option to sell rugby league to Americans, on the eve of a blockbuster day for the game in Las Vegas.
Fans have turned out in full force in Sin City over the past week during an NRL takeover ahead of a massive day at Allegiant Stadium on Saturday, US time (Sunday AEDT).
Four matches will take place at Allegiant Stadium, the same ground that hosted the NFL Super Bowl just last month, including the NRL curtain-raisers – Canberra Raiders vs New Zealand Warriors and Penrith Panthers vs Cronulla Sharks.
While the week has looked like another burgeoning success, the NRL is always alert to new ideas that could continue to take the game forward and sell it outside of Australia.
Warriors chief executive Cameron George suggested the idea of having the NRL Grand Final this year broadcast from the highly popular Sphere in Vegas.
“There’s an opportunity to have an office and presence here to continually work on the ground corporately, commercially, building a fan base and promoting the game,” he said.
“I don’t know what the cost would be, but something like showing our grand final live into the sphere could be an amazing experience for the game.
“It would build our fan base over here and they could enjoy it as a wonderful introduction to some of the biggest games on the calendar.”
NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo said the idea was “interesting” and worth exploring.
“Any way in which we can promote the game in the US into new markets will be looked at,” he said.
The Sphere was opened in September 2023, and has a capacity of 17,600 seated. The $2.3 billion USD venue has quickly become one of the top attractions in the city.
The NRL is hoping for upwards of 50,000 fans to walk through the gates of Allegiant Stadium on Saturday.
Last year the overall number fell just short of 40,000.
All matches will be broadcast on Kayo and Foxtel.
Schedule (AEDT time):
8:30am: Wigan Warriors vs Warrington Wolves (Super League)
11am: Canberra Raiders vs Warriors (NRL)
1pm: Australian Jillaroos vs England
3:30pm: Penrith Panthers vs Cronulla Sharks (NRL)
