NRL heading to Las Vegas with double-header confirmed to open 2024 season
The NRL is heading to Las Vegas for 2024. Photo by AAP Image/Mark Evans.
The NRL is heading to Las Vegas with a double-header confirmed to kick off the 2024 campaign in style, with the four teams included now confirmed.
Brisbane Broncos, Manly Sea Eagles, South Sydney Rabbitohs and Sydney Roosters have all been selected to make the trip to the United States early next year with the teams set to play a historic double-header at the Allegiant Stadium on March 2.
The 65,000 seater is home to NFL team Los Vegas Raiders and the ties will be broadcasted on a Sunday afternoon.
NRL CEO Andrew Abdo says the double-header will see rugby league on a stage which the sport has never been on before.
“The 2024 Las Vegas matches will form part of an exciting ‘Australia Week’ in Las Vegas where we will be showcasing rugby league and Australia to the US market,” Abdo said.
“We are now working collaboratively with the four clubs to finalise arrangements for the proposed matches in Las Vegas and make this a blockbuster event for fans by maximising travel, attendance and enjoyment of a unique rugby league experience.
“Rugby league will be on a stage which the sport has simply never been on before and we look forward to giving all clubs the opportunity in coming years.”
NRL heading to Las Vegas in 2024 with exciting plans
The Broncos will play the Roosters and the Rabbitohs will face the Sea Eagles in the first matches played for premiership points outside of Australia and New Zealand.
Sea Eagles CEO Tony Mestrov believes the plans will capture the attention of a global audience, while the Rabbitohs have previously played in the United States when they met Leeds Rhinos in the 2008 Australia Day Challenge in Jacksonville, Florida.
“The Americans will love seeing what our brilliant game offers,” Mestrov said.
“The NRL has always been the toughest contact sport in the world and now people in America will get the chance to witness two premiership matches live.
“This has been a long-time goal of our great owners, the Penn family, to bring the Sea Eagles to America and now that it is going to happen is just an amazing feeling.
“A lot of hard work and investment has gone into making this become a reality.”
The Rabbitohs are co-owned by Hollywood star Russell Crowe, and the Sea Eagles boast Hugh Jackman as a high profile supporter.