Dublin 2026? Karl Fitzpatrick on how Wire and Wigan can follow Vegas

[josie andrews]

WARRINGTON Wolves and Wigan Warriors are about to make history by playing the first ever Super League game on the American continent.

But as both clubs decamp to Las Vegas, attention has already started to turn to what comes next.

Saturday’s much-anticipated meeting at Allegiant Stadium is officially a Wigan home game meaning that, barring any Challenge Cup or play-off meetings, The Wire will not visit the Warriors’ Brick Community Stadium during 2025.

In an exclusive interview with the Warrington Guardian at the end of last year, Warrington chairman Stuart Middleton hinted they could return the favour in 2026, with Dublin mooted as a potential destination.

Now, chief executive Karl Fitzpatrick says “nothing is off the table” as they look to expose rugby league to new markets – and potentially, new countries.

“We are exploring potential options for next year,” he said.

“We’ve got a great relationship with Wigan at every level and we are discussing what things look like in terms of next year.

“This has been a joint venture where we’ve been liable for all of our costs as Wigan have for theirs, but they’ve given up a home game.

“It’s got to be right, and it would be hard to top going to Vegas, but if we can expose our sport to a new market - and there's connections and synergies with Ireland - we’ll have a look at it.

“Nothing’s off the table at this stage.”

For now, though, both Fitzpatrick and his Wigan counterpart Kris Radlinski can see the fruits of their labour play out in front of them as Super League joins the NRL’s second annual Las Vegas round.

And he believes taking this game to America has created “a halo effect” for the competition as a whole and will continue to do so.

“I’ve been asked what would success look like in terms of Vegas and again, it’s multi-faceted,” he said.

“If two more Super League clubs go there next year, it shows it’s gone well.

“There is only ever going to be one first Super League game played in Las Vegas and for us to be a part of that is incredible.

“The interest and brand exposure the club has had off the back of it has been phenomenal.

“I’ve never known Sky to be as excited about something as they are with this game – they’re calling it the biggest game in Super League’s history and it’s hard to disagree.

“I think there’s already been something of a halo effect. The NRL have been saying going to Vegas last year had a halo effect on the season of a whole and I think we’re seeing that already with some of the attendances in Round One and the engagement with Super League.

“The Vegas game isn’t just promoting ourselves and Wigan but the sport as a whole. In terms of providing a platform for our fantastic sport, this has been completely unrivalled.”

Around 10,000 supporters are expected to travel to Vegas from the UK for the extravaganza of rugby league.

And it is hoped they will help the total attendance to be significantly higher than the 40,746 that watched Manly Sea Eagles beat South Sydney Rabbitohs and Sydney Roosters best Brisbane Broncos during last year’s event – and even get close to Allegiant Stadium’s 65,000 capacity.

“I think the hope is for a total crowd of around 60,000, which would be phenomenal,” Fitzpatrick said.

“If you talk to the NRL teams that went last year, they tell you that it’s an experience far bigger than any Grand Final.

“It’s going to be an unbelievable occasion and we’re so excited to be a part of it.”

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