Super League to return to Las Vegas in 2026, rugby league chief confirms after Wigan vs Warrington success

[josie andrews]

Wigan Warriors claimed dominant win over Warrington Wolves at Allegiant Stadium in Super League first; clubs will get chance to register interest in 2026 Las Vegas fixture, says Rhodri Jones

Super League will return to Las Vegas in 2026 after a "spectacular" event involving Wigan and Warrington, rugby league chief Rhodri Jones has confirmed.

The Warriors claimed a dominant 48-24 win over the Wolves at the Allegiant Stadium in the first Super League game to be played in the United States.

Around 10,000 English fans were in the crowd for the first part of a quadruple header involving two NRL fixtures and a women's Test match between England and the Australia Jillaroos.

After hailing the success of the historic event, Rugby League Commercial's managing director has said supporters can expect another Stateside show next year.

"I can confirm there will be a game here next year of Super League in Vegas," Jones told Sky Sports.

"We had the conversation with the NRL earlier this week. They want us to be a part of this event. I think the two teams this year and ourselves have proved that we are an integral part of this event so Super League will be back here next year.

"(It was) absolutely spectacular. What a stadium. The two teams came out and gave everything. The fans have been great. I think what's impressed the Australian and New Zealand fans have been our fans and the noise that they've made. It's been a spectacular experience."

Jones said that Super League clubs would be invited to register their interest in taking part a in 2026 showpiece.

"We'll do a review with all the teams so they can understand the financials and logistics of it all, and then we'll ask the clubs to express their interest," Jones added.

"I'm pretty sure we'll have a number of clubs keen to come next year."

A Las Vegas round was first introduced to the sport when the NRL took two of its season-opening games there in 2024.

Super League chiefs Karl Fitzpatrick of Warrington Wolves and Kris Radlinski of Wigan Warriors said the experience had "put the most fantastic sport on the global platform".

Wolves CEO Fitzpatrick said: "It's been a phenomenal week, absolutely incredible.

"Ourselves and Wigan were part of the founding fathers in 1895. We had that rebellious spirit. We were a disruptor then and we're a disruptor now in 2025.

"We've broken new ground and put the most fantastic sport on the global platform. Obviously we're very disappointed in terms of performance - we wanted to give something back to our incredibly loyal fans - but overall it's been incredible."

Warriors CEO Radlinski said: "It's been amazing. There will be a lot of headlines about us winning the game and the score but I want this for Super League.

"We've had some difficult times; I think back to the CEO meetings we were having during Covid - survival, keeping the sport alive. This is for the volunteer clubs on Sunday morning. This is achievable in our sport and I'm so proud."

https://www.skysports.com/rugby-league/ ... on-success

[josie andrews]

Super League invited back to Las Vegas in 2026 as three clubs make their case and World Club Challenge returns

Super League will be at Rugby League Las Vegas in 2026 after an official invite, with talks having taken place on the World Club Challenge

Super League will definitely be back in Las Vegas next year with the NRL moving quickly to ensure there is a UK presence at the event next year.

Officials at the NRL have already put the invite out for Super League to be involved next year and clubs have been sounded out about their interest in recent weeks. Hull KR, Leeds Rhinos and St Helens are all thought to have declared interest so far and Leigh Leopards are also considering it too.

And in a further development, the World Club Challenge will return next year, with officials at both sides of the club already agreeing that its involvement in the calendar is essential at all costs. The event was shelved for the 2025 season as Wigan Warriors and Penrith Panthers, who were both locked in to play in Sin City, were due to feature. Logistical challenges revolving that meant there was no room for it in the calendar.

Privately, officials have admitted that it was an oversight to not identify that issue could come to light but with the NRL seeing increase value in Super League, an agreement has been reached that the event will definitely take place next year, though where and when is something that will be discussed in the coming weeks.

It's not out of the question that the event takes place in Vegas. There is scope for the NRL champions to be given a bye week in the opening round of the season, which would allow them to then participate in the World Club Challenge at the Allegiant Stadium.

Another option on the table is for two Super League games to take place, something that is thought to have become a consideration given the impact the UK supporters have had on the event this year. NRL officials have been incredibly impressed with the number of supporters travelling from the UK, which has seen a rise in crowd numbers this year compared to last. But beyond that, they have been delighted with the impact Brits have had on the atmosphere at the various events that have taken place during the week, most notably at Fremont Street on Wednesday.

As a result, they now want to explore options to ensure that is explored further in 2026 and with an extra Super League game or the World Club Challenge both being considered, there is a possibility that there will be a larger Super League presence on the event next year.



https://www.alloutrugbyleague.co.uk/new ... 48a1cfd938

[fozzie58]

Truth is the world club championship should have been in vegas this year far better than a one sided affair that happened Saturday night surely both SL and the NRL should have. Forseen that both club should be facing each other in that event rather than a league game.

But I’ll say it again the world club championship should really be at seasons end with current squads,both clubs in full form what an event that would be.

[josie andrews]

Truth is the world club championship should have been in vegas this year far better than a one sided affair that happened Saturday night surely both SL and the NRL should have. Forseen that both club should be facing each other in that event rather than a league game.

But I’ll say it again the world club championship should really be at seasons end with current squads,both clubs in full form what an event that would be.

I’ve always said this.

[Charriots Offiah]

Cleary’s view

https://www.loverugbyleague.com/post/pe ... naut-claim

[southportcdm]

Seems to have been a big success, well done to all involved. There should be another SL game in vegas next season but let's give another couple of teams a chance. We've done our bit and should stay at home unless involved in a WCC match. Next time we get involved in moving a SL fixture I hope the other team can be persuaded to give up their home fixture.

[Mike]

Id improve a couple of things.

Some SL specific merchandise. I don't think either teams had any gear on sale. I wanted a Wigan baseball cap or something but they had nothing.

A better fan zone at the stadium. Ideally with some RL balls to throw around. They only had NFL skills games, nothing for me to use to show my American friends how to play.

It's probably too expensive to fly all this stuff over so they just have to use the facilities that exist. And I guess flying merch over is too expensive for the SL teams as well, especially when they've already sold out of most of the gear

[josie andrews]

Hull KR declare interest in future Las Vegas fixture with strong admission made

Super League made history in Las Vegas - and now Hull KR want a piece of it.

Hull KR are ‘keen’ to play in Las Vegas next season and believe they are a ‘strong candidate’ to do so. That’s the view of CEO Paul Lakin, who has outlined the club’s interest to explore the possibility of playing in Sin City next year.

Super League made history on Saturday night with the first ever fixture on US soil, with champions Wigan Warriors smashing Warrington Wolves 48-24 at Allegiant Stadium.

And with confirmation that Super League will return to Vegas as part of the 2026 concept - spearheaded by the NRL - Lakin has put Hull KR’s name in the mix, with the Robins keen to test themselves again on the big stage after recent fixtures in the Challenge Cup final and Super League Grand Final.

Lakin believes Rovers would be an ideal match to head to Nevada, with nearly 10,000 members locked into Craven Park this year. The side, meanwhile, are expected to challenge again on both trophy fronts this season, and have started the year with four wins across the Super League and Challenge Cup competitions.

In a statement provided exclusively to All Out Rugby League, Lakin wrote: “We are keen to understand the financial numbers involved with playing in Vegas.

“Having been in the Super League Grand Final last season, the Challenge Cup final the season before, and with over 9,600 club members, we would expect to be a strong choice.

“I have no doubt our fantastic fanbase and talented playing squad would love such an opportunity.”

As well as the Super League clash, Vegas also played host to an NRL doubleheader overnight, with Canberra Raiders defeating New Zealand Warriors and Penrith Panthers starting their latest Premiership defence with victory over Cronulla Sharks.

Elsewhere, Australia Jillaroos also hammered England Women 90-4, with the NRL just two seasons into a five-year Vegas deal.

A crowd of over 45,000 watched the event, including around 11,000 from the U.K.

https://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/sport/r ... re-9987992

[the pieman]

i think we need to see the overall benefit from the game both from a Wigan perspective and a wider RL perspective

Whilst i enjoyed watching it from home, and the stadium looked out of this world, it needs to be financially viable for the club, and we need to see the benefit of taking a home game to the USA

if the talking stops about it now, then i would say it hasnt been a success, but if we see growth, whether that be fan numbers, TV revenue, commercial revenue, then we need to know that its been far more than a bit of a jolly for the club

i'm assuming that Wigan and Wire have been in control of matters, and not the RFL (other than sanctioning the game), so i'll admit seeing the RFL putting their names to it in future doesnt fill me with confidence for any future events

In the past we havent been scared of trying something new, and as fans we probably dont feel all have been successful, but we cant knock the club for trying, as it we stand still / let our friends from Yorkshire take the lead, then the game would be in serious decline

i also think Sky played their part in the build up and pre-match, and hopefully we can see a better TV deal next time round, if we continue to see an increase in crowds at games, and pulling in decent TV audiences