The doomsayers arrived at the beginning of 2023 when the initial initial plan of the National Rugby League to take its seasonal match on the lively lights of Las Vegas, the capital of entertainment in the world, was revealed for the first time. Mad. Bad. Madness. A joke and a waste of money.
The president of the Australian rugby league commission, Peter V’landys, was hammered for his bizarre idea. Then, the colorful V’landys and its LNR staff succeeded, forcing more than 42,000 fans to attend the alleging stadium with 65,000 seats, which houses the raiders of American football, to watch Manly against Souths and the Broncos will face the roosters in an intense and hooked bill.
In relation: Canberra Raiders Wallop New Zealand Warriors in the NRL season in Las Vegas
The show was incredible, the Americans were engaged and the rusty fans were under tension. The attention of the media has skyrocketed. The television program in Australia has increased and the entire LNR competition received a boost, with record crowds and income earned last season. But 2025 in the United States has become even greater, with the English Super League clubs Wigan and Warrington joining the pleasure, as well as a female test between Australia and England.
Two games in Vegas have become four and a new British element was added, turning to be a master stroke. 3,000 other spectators were added to the crowd, free television coverage in America was landed, and more titles and advertising in the British media were collected. The event has gone to a new level.
Since landing in Las Vegas last Tuesday, the atmosphere through Sin City has been palpable. You could barely walk along the strip without seeing a rugby league shirt or a former wandering player. The LNR has filled the city of Nevada with events, media opportunities, display panels, advertisements and festivals of fans, as well as a nine competition, a combination of LNR and even a Greece test match against USA.
The giant signaling decorated the boulevard de Las Vegas and rue Fremont was thrilled. The local tares were aware of the event and every day, the fans stole from all over the globe. The Rugby League in Vegas is a party that no foothead wanted to miss. Forget who played, from Bradford to the supporters of Parramatta, it was a special adventure, once in life that deserves to be savored.
Saturday did not disappoint, sunny time in paradise to action on the field, and to the living atmosphere inside the ground. Wigan has shown why they are one of the best rugby league teams in the world, in any competition, dominating Warrington by Sam Burgess. Wolves captain, George Williams, could not hide his deep disappointment after the match after his club was beaten, and even publicly apologized to Wire’s faithful for dull display.
Canberra has proven that they can be a force in the LNR this season by surpassing disappointing warriors. The jillaroos have once again demonstrated how extremely talented and superior they are ruthlessly framing the women of England by a score of 90-4 enticing.
And Penrith sent a message according to which the journey for a record of five primary ministers is still underway, even without James Fisher-Harris and Jarome Luai, riding to beat Cronulla. Ivan Cleary and his happy men built something so special at the foot of the mountains.
Yes, everything did not go as planned. Burgess had his visa problems and only arrived in America late. The Raiders Forward Morgan Smithies and Hudson Young received a conversation after their elevator fight and that the hope of reaching the target of the crowd of 50,000 people was not achieved. Donald Trump did not show up, despite the invitation of V’landys to the president of Fox and friends. But whatever.
The Feelgood Factor remained and the supporters loved each minute of their time after the Rugby League in Vegas. Talk to everyone who has made the trip and you will be welcomed with happy memories and knock with big smiles. “The Greatest Game” has certainly found a new house in Nevada.
V’landys, the Wollongong Dana White, certainly quickly expelled the fact that it was such a success that Vegas wants sport there beyond the current agreement which ends in 2028.
“It’s true, [the tourism chief] said they had an economic stimulus of $ 100 million here in Vegas, the LNR being here, “he told journalists. “When we came here last year, they thought we were delusional that we would bring so many people here. [This year] We have brought nearly 17,000 Australians, 8,000 from New Zealand and 10,000 from England.
In relation: Wigan struck the jackpot while the Super League attracts the beginnings to Las Vegas
“It’s a lot of people in the Vegas community, so they certainly want us to come back. Last year was a bit of mist. This year, I sat and I looked at everything we have done, and I think we can do so much better.
“We make enormous progress, but we have had very big weapons in America, sports management experts, who came to us and gave us more confidence on how we can penetrate the American market. So, I am very convinced that by the fifth year, we will have a major impact here in America. I am more confident now than I was last year. »»
Aside from Bonhomie, 2025 seemed a more powerful, entertaining and engaging event than what happened 12 months before. The Super League is on board, the fans and the media were ramp, and all the players and coaches of the LNR shocked from the American experience.
Leave Las Vegas? The rugby league sets up.