Both NRL and Super League are regarded as the pinnacle club competitions of the sport. The event was created by the NRL to expand the audience of the competition and develop rugby league in the United States. The event is contracted until 2028.[1][2]
History
In August 2023 the National Rugby League (NRL) announced that two games of the opening round of the 2024 NRL season would be held in Las Vegas. Brisbane Broncos, Manly Warringah Sea Eagles, South Sydney Rabbitohs, and Sydney Roosters were selected to play in the event,[3][4] with the remainder of round one being confirmed at a later date.[5] The two matches took place of March 2, 2024, and marked the first NRL regular season games held outside Australia.[6] The 2024 event saw Manly Warringah beat South Sydney[7] and Sydney beat Brisbane[8] in front of an audience of over 40,000, the largest attendance of any rugby league event at the time held in the United States.[9] Both games were arird on Fox Sports in the United States.[10] While stadium attendance was deemed a success, TV viewing fixtures were low in the United States at only 61,000, though it was 16,000 higher than the last NRL programme to be aired in the state. Viewing figures in Australia surpassed 1.6 million across both games.[11] The day prior to the event, a Colonial Cup match between the national men's teams of the United States and Canada was held.[12] The game ended 16–16.[13]
In July 2024, the NRL announced that the 2025 event would feature reigning champions Penrith Panthers as well as Canberra Raiders, New Zealand Warriors, and Cronulla Sharks.[14][15][16] In addition, the 2025 event will also feature an opening round match of the United Kingdom's Super League with competition's reigning champions Wigan Warriors facing local rivals Warrington Wolves. Like the NRL in 2024, this game marks the first regular season Super League game to be held in the United States.[17][18] Further, the event would also showcase an ashes test match between the Australia and England women's national sides.[19] Super League's involvement in the event came after a speculative email was sent to the organizers by Wigan's CEO Kris Radlinski after he watched the 2024 event on TV.[20][21]
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United States
National Rugby League and
Super League
Women's Ashes
Brisbane Broncos
Manly Warringah Sea Eagles
South Sydney Rabbitohs
Sydney Roosters
Canberra Raiders
Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks
England Lionesses
New Zealand Warriors
Penrith Panthers
Warrington Wolves
Wigan Warriors