Three British teams will head to Las Vegas next March, adding an international flavour to the NRL’s return to the US in 2025. It will be broadcast live on Sky Sports.
Reigning Betfred Super League champions Wigan Warriors have agreed to move their home league match against Warrington Wolves to the Allegiant Stadium, a rematch of last month’s Challenge Cup final at Wembley Stadium.
They will then be joined by England Women in Nevada on Saturday 1 March, when they take on world champions Australia’s Jillaros in a historic international match.
The international theme continues with the New Zealand Warriors taking on the Canberra Raiders in one of two NRL matches to be played in Las Vegas, while three-time NRL champions Penrith Panthers take on Sydney rivals Cronulla Sharks in the other.
This means eight NRL clubs have played matches in Las Vegas in the first two years, following matches by the Brisbane Broncos, Manly Sea Eagles, South Sydney Rabbitohs and Sydney Roosters earlier this year.
All four matches will be broadcast live. Sky Sports The Wigan vs Warrington match will kick off at 9.30pm UK time.
The match will be held at the 65,000-seat Allegiant Stadium, home of the Las Vegas Raiders and site of the NFL Super Bowl in 2024. The NRL’s first promotional event in Las Vegas attracted more than 40,000 attendees earlier this year.
Rugby League commercial managing director Rhodri Jones said: “The return of rugby league to Las Vegas in 2025 with the Betfred Super League and a historic international match for England Women’s is an incredibly attractive prospect and a huge opportunity for the sport.
“We look forward to working closely with Wigan Warriors, Warrington Wolves, our commercial and broadcast partners and the NRL to ensure another hugely successful weekend.”
England captain Jody Cunningham
England captain Jodie Cunningham said: “Women’s rugby league has been on an incredible journey over the last decade and now we’re heading to Las Vegas!”
“I think it’s fantastic that the NRL has recognised the importance of women’s football in this way. We all watched the NRL match in Las Vegas earlier this season and it was so exciting to see the impact they’ve made.”
“We’ll be playing the Jillaros in 2025, it’s a big challenge for us, but we were all surprised when coach Stuart Barrow told the players about it at training camp before we went to France last week.”
“We’re sure that many British people who watched the game in Las Vegas earlier this year wanted to be part of it, whether that was playing or cheering,” Wigan Warriors chief executive Chris Radlinski said.
“I spoke to the board about the possibility and there was a unanimous desire to be involved in the event. I wrote to Peter V’landys explaining that we are an ambitious club and would love to be considered for future events.”
“Peter responded positively and put me in touch with his NRL executive team and over the last few months we have been exploring ways to make this a reality.”
Warrington Wolves chief executive Carl Fitzpatrick said: “Firstly, I must thank Chris Radlinski, Mike Danson and the Wigan officials for driving this project forward. When approached about this opportunity we were in favour from the start. This initiative is entirely in line with our club’s position and ambitions.”
“Playing in such an incredible venue in one of the world’s greatest entertainment destinations will provide an exciting and memorable experience for our supporters, players and partners, and will put the Super League on the map in a sports market brimming with opportunity.”
“The Las Vegas tournament earlier this year really captured people’s imaginations and showed the rugby league world what can be achieved if you think big. Next year it’s going to be even bigger and to be part of this concept is really special.”
Thousands of English rugby league fans are expected to seize the chance to take part in this historic occasion, with a range of tickets and travel packages available to go on sale later this month.
You can watch every match of the 2024 Super League season live on Sky Sports, including the Magic Weekend, play-offs, men’s, women’s and wheelchair grand finals and the World Club Challenge. Stream Rugby League and other sports with no contract on NOW.
