Super League’s Las Vegas 2026 selection timeline revealed amid World Club Challenge intent and other road games hint

[josie andrews]

The Super League selection process for next year’s event in Las Vegas is expected to take place in the next couple of weeks. That’s according to Rugby League Commercial CEO Rhodri Jones, who has also hinted at the possibility of more games going on the road next season.

Wigan Warriors took on Warrington Wolves at the NRL’s Las Vegas event earlier this month with Matt Peet’s side running out convincing winners at the Allegiant Stadium. However, the event was about so much more than just a set of results, with Super League fans making a huge impact on Sin City over the course of the week.

As such, the Northern Hemisphere game has been invited back to Vegas next year, with RL Commercial asking outfits to register their interest in being part of the momentous occasion. A raft of clubs have shown an interest with Leeds Rhinos, Hull KR, St Helens, Leigh Leopards and Hull FC known to be keen, with a number of those clubs sending representatives to Nevada this time around

Clubs have been asked whether they would be willing to be the home team or the away team in Vegas with one side unfortunately having to give up a home game and that provides an added complication to the selection process.

However, Super League fans might not have to wait too long to find out whether their team will be going stateside in 2026.

“Some clubs have returned expressions and I’m just following up with a couple of clubs to determine their interest or not, which I’ll do by the end of this week,” Rhodri Jones said. “We have discussed 2026 with the NRL, they’re quite keen to make an efficient decision on 2026.

“They’re clearly doing the same piece of work with their clubs over in Australia. The selection process will be in the next couple of weeks rather than months.”

On the prospect of the World Club Challenge being held at the event next season, Jones commented: “I have spoken to the NRL about the World Club Challenge. The intention and desire in both hemispheres is that the World Club Challenge will happen next year.

“The separate question is, it in Vegas? I don’t know, but the desire from both hemispheres is that the World Club Challenge is back on next year.”

The clash in Las Vegas was the second most watched regular season Super League game of all-time, behind Hull KR vs Catalans Dragons, which was played out at the start of Covid. That clearly shows a commercial value to taking games on the road and there has been talk of Catalans Dragons marking their 20th anniversary and the 30th anniversary of Super League with a game in Paris.

However, it seems there has been discussions about more games being taken elsewhere next season.

“I don’t think Vegas will be the only on the road game next year from what I’m led to believe,” Jones added. “The Dragons for example, they’ve talked for the last two years about taking a game on the road to celebrate their anniversary next year, as an example.

“I’m also aware of one or two clubs up here talking about potential games on the road. I do think they might become more popular but the clubs have to balance between a home game and moving a home game onto the road which obviously has financial implications and challenges. I think it’s an evolving scenario.”

https://www.seriousaboutrl.com/super-le ... nt-102638/

[josie andrews]

All the freebies for the RFL & their cronies!

They couldn’t care less about the fans just as long as they get their freebies & money!

[fozzie58]

All the freebies for the RFL & their cronies!

They couldn’t care less about the fans just as long as they get their freebies & money!

This.

The only losers from the vegas jolly was the loyal season ticket holders who,yet again missed out on a home game now cleverly the club headed off that argument by offering tickets for the England last year so credit to them for that but is tiresome that it always seems to be Wigan fans when Radlinski gets the flights of fancy it’ll be interesting to see if anyone really put their hand up for vegas and how they negate the ill feeling of fans who can’t afford or simply done want to go to vegas

[josie andrews]

All the freebies for the RFL & their cronies!

They couldn’t care less about the fans just as long as they get their freebies & money!

This.

The only losers from the vegas jolly was the loyal season ticket holders who,yet again missed out on a home game now cleverly the club headed off that argument by offering tickets for the England last year so credit to them for that but is tiresome that it always seems to be Wigan fans when Radlinski gets the flights of fancy it’ll be interesting to see if anyone really put their hand up for vegas and how they negate the ill feeling of fans who can’t afford or simply done want to go to vegas

It’s the WCC also that angers me! It should be played at alternate home grounds not peddling it off to Vegas or any other ground for that matter. Yet again majority of fans of the two clubs will miss out!
Does my feckin’ head in

[josie andrews]

Super League fixtures to be taken on the road in 2026 alongside Las Vegas trip

SUPER LEAGUE sides are set to take more games on the road in 2026, RL Commercial Managing Director Rhodri Jones has revealed.

Wigan Warriors and Warrington Wolves travelled to Las Vegas earlier this month as part of a quadruple header alongside four NRL clubs and England’s Women and Australia’s Jillaroos.

Following the success of the trip to Allegiant Stadium, all 12 Super League clubs were asked to register their interest in going to Vegas in 2026, with the decision on who will play in Sin City next year set to be announced sooner rather than later.

“Some clubs have returned expressions and I’m just following up with a couple of clubs to determine their interest or not, which I’ll do by the end of this week,” Jones said.

“We have discussed 2026 with the NRL, they’re quite keen to make an efficient decision on 2026.

“They’re clearly doing the same piece of work with their clubs over in Australia. The selection process will be in the next couple of weeks rather than months.”

But, it’s not only Las Vegas that could see two Super League sides visit in 2026, other clubs have mentioned potentially taking a game on the road.

Catalans Dragons, for example, have been touted with marking their 20th anniversary and the 30th anniversary of Super League with a game in Paris, whilst the notion of Dublin and Spain/Portugal continues to be mentioned.

“I don’t think Vegas will be the only on the road game next year from what I’m led to believe,” Jones continued.

“The Dragons for example, they’ve talked for the last two years about taking a game on the road to celebrate their anniversary next year/

“I’m also aware of one or two clubs up here talking about potential games on the road. I do think they might become more popular.

“But the clubs have to balance between a home game and moving a home game onto the road which obviously has financial implications and challenges. I think it’s an evolving scenario.”

https://www.totalrl.com/super-league-fi ... egas-trip/

[medlocke]

They should take the Hull derby there next year, even though it isn't an official derby it should still be good viewing

[WarriorWinger]

They should take the Hull derby there next year, even though it isn't an official derby it should still be good viewing

I agree Meds, apart from the Wigan/Saints derby it is probably the next 'biggest' rivalry that would attract the most attention in the league

[josie andrews]

Five Super League clubs launch Las Vegas move in battle to head stateside

Decision-makers have five clubs to choose from for Super League's game in Las Vegas next year.

Five Super League clubs are in the mix to play in Las Vegas next year. A decision on which teams will represent the competition at the Allegiant Stadium in 2026 is set to be made next month and five clubs have declared their interest in participating next season.

Hull KR and Leeds Rhinos had already confirmed to All Out Rugby League that they had entered the running to feature in Sin City next year. Now, we can reveal that they will compete with three other clubs for the right to head Stateside next year.

Huddersfield Giants, Hull FC and St Helens have also expressed interest and will be involved in the decision-making process that Rugby League Commercial will go through in the next number of weeks.

Like a couple of clubs, we’ve thrown our hat in the ring," Hull FC CEO Richie Myler said on The Bench Podcast. "We’d love to do it. We’d love to be part of it. That’s the pinnacle of our game isn’t it. I think it’s probably the biggest game we’ve ever had. Everyone wants a piece of it."

Sources at the Giants have confirmed that they have formally expressed their interest in being a part next year. Meanwhile, St Helens declined the opportunity to comment when approached by All Out Rugby League but sources have confirmed they are in the running.

Head coach Paul Wellens had previously confirmed St Helens would be in the mix. “All I’d say from our perspective is that if it looks like it’s happening again, we’d like to be involved in the conversation," he told Love Rugby League earlier this month.

“That’s all we can say at this stage, and I imagine there’s a number of other clubs saying the same thing, but if we can be part of the conversation there then that would be great."

The other seven clubs have all officially ruled themselves out of the running. Warrington Wolves and Wigan Warriors were automatically ruled out due to their participation this year, though the two clubs are expected to take another game on the road next season.

Derek Beaumont has confirmed Leigh Leopards will not apply and Wakefield Trinity owner Matt Ellis had already ruled out his club, expressing a desire to get the club competing at the top of Super League before registering interest.

When approached, Castleford Tigers confirmed they would not be applying for the same reasons as Wakefield and it has been confirmed to All Out Rugby League that Catalans Dragons and Salford Red Devils have both stated they will not be moving forward in the process. Catalans are already taking a game on the road next year with plans in place to take on Wigan Warriors in Paris at the start of next season.

https://www.alloutrugbyleague.co.uk/new ... as-1041433

[endoman]

Huddersfield, LOL.