NRLNRL games in the UK? League considers season-opener in the UKby Sian Reed March 4, 2025
NRL in the UK? The league eyes up Wembley for future fixtures
NRL games in the UK? The league is reportedly considering hosting their season-opener from 2029 in the UK.
First reported by WAtoday, the league is under contract with Las Vegas to host opening round games for the next three seasons until 2028 but from then, they’re eager to move to major cities across the world.
London is reportedly a strong contender, with the NRL eyeing up a spot at Wembley Stadium for a double-header, and are hoping to re-galvanise rugby league in the capital.
First reported by WA today, the league is under contract with Las Vegas to host opening round games for the next three seasons until 2028 but from then, they’re eager to move to major cities across the world.
London is reportedly a strong contender, with the NRL eyeing up a spot at Wembley Stadium for a double-header, and are hoping to re-galvanise rugby league in the capital.
The governing body is also looking at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium but will have to negotiate around Premier League fixtures for a spare weekend.
Due to the success of the Las Vegas fixtures, they’re also contemplating other cities in the USA, such as Miami and New York City.
However, the prospect of a jam-packed 90,000 fans inside Wembley would only be a positive for fans in the UK and it would be significantly larger than Vegas’ Allegiant Stadium with a capacity of around 65,000 for NFL games.
It’s hoped that Super League could add their own marquee fixture to the line-up for fans across the world to see the best players from over here as well as from down under
This news comes as RL Commercial and IMG are sitting down with the NRL following the Vegas bonanza to work on partnership deals between the Australian and European leagues.
The main issue with hosting matches in the UK is the time difference, where there’s a large and awkward difference.
An 8pm kick-off in the UK is 7am on Sydney time and for a double-header but a 10.30pm start would be very late in the UK but would be a 9.30am audience for Australia.
Alternatively, a lunchtime kick-off in the UK would be late night for Australian broadcasters.
Miami and New York are both in the same time zone with more appealing times for Australians.
An 8pm kick-off in Miami or New York would work out as 12pm in Sydney, much better for fans and broadcasters alike, especially on a weekend.
We’re sure that the RFL will be pushing for a UK-based fixture, considering reports suggesting that the Vegas matches have brought in an estimated $US80 million into the city across the weekend.
However, NRL games in the UK could also mean a much closer relationship between Super League and the NRL, possibly with a full takeover by then.
https://www.seriousaboutrl.com/nrl-game ... uk-102134/
NRL games in the UK? League considers season-opener in the UK
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josie andrews
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NRL games in the UK? League considers season-opener in the UK
Anyone can support a team when it is winning, that takes no courage.
But to stand behind a team, to defend a team when it is down and really needs you,
that takes a lot of courage. #18thMan
But to stand behind a team, to defend a team when it is down and really needs you,
that takes a lot of courage. #18thMan
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josie andrews
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Re: NRL games in the UK? League considers season-opener in the UK
Andrew Voss makes Super League Las Vegas claim as NRL detail 2026 plan
The Las Vegas ‘post-mortem’ will begin with the schedule likely to be trimmed although Super League looks set to remain on the calendar. NRL chief Peter V’landys has praised the ‘vibe’ whilst legendary commentator Andrew Voss has named the two Super League teams he wants to take part in 2026.
Las Vegas is locked into the NRL calendar for the next few seasons and it’s already been confirmed by Rugby League Commercial chief Rhodri Jones that Super League will return in 2026, however, the schedule is not locked in.
V’landys has argued that the schedule could be cut from four to three games as he conceded that it made for a very long day with fans dipping out of games at times
He’s also not ruled out the Women’s international returning but it seems that is the likeliest to be cut at the moment, particularly after the one-sided display that saw the Jillaroos hammer England 90-4 in a 17-try rout.
Four games was probably too much,” V’landys said per Fox Sports.
“I think we’ll go back to three games. I think four was too long. You could tell because the fans left their seats, so when their game was over there were empty seats.
You want them to stay there and I think if you had three games they probably would have.”
He did reaffirm the desire to keep Super League involved though with the British fans making a particularly good impression on the NRL execs and pundits.
V’landys said: “We really do want to keep the Super League partnership because that worked exceptionally well.
“It generated a completely new atmosphere and a vibe that I’ve never seen so that probably continues.
“We look, we’ll go home, do a post-mortem, and we’ll just see how we do it next year.”
NRL commentator Andrew Voss, who took to the air for Sky Sports on Saturday night, has also spoken on his SEN radio show making an appeal to have a Good Friday derby in Las Vegas for 2026.
He declared: “The Super League is now here to stay. The English involvement has been a huge plus this year to last. I would have Wigan play St Helens next year. Two very strong clubs.”
It’s unclear if Wigan Warriors would make an immediate return or if teams will effectively share out the Las Vegas quota although St Helens are believed to have thrown their hat in the ring, alongside the likes of Leeds Rhinos and Hull KR.
On the future of a women’s international at the Las Vegas event, V’landys conceded that the Australian side are simply too good right now and confirmed that there will be a ‘review’ to “think about what the right opportunities are to showcase the women’s game to an international audience.”
https://www.seriousaboutrl.com/andrew-v ... an-102135/
The Las Vegas ‘post-mortem’ will begin with the schedule likely to be trimmed although Super League looks set to remain on the calendar. NRL chief Peter V’landys has praised the ‘vibe’ whilst legendary commentator Andrew Voss has named the two Super League teams he wants to take part in 2026.
Las Vegas is locked into the NRL calendar for the next few seasons and it’s already been confirmed by Rugby League Commercial chief Rhodri Jones that Super League will return in 2026, however, the schedule is not locked in.
V’landys has argued that the schedule could be cut from four to three games as he conceded that it made for a very long day with fans dipping out of games at times
He’s also not ruled out the Women’s international returning but it seems that is the likeliest to be cut at the moment, particularly after the one-sided display that saw the Jillaroos hammer England 90-4 in a 17-try rout.
Four games was probably too much,” V’landys said per Fox Sports.
“I think we’ll go back to three games. I think four was too long. You could tell because the fans left their seats, so when their game was over there were empty seats.
You want them to stay there and I think if you had three games they probably would have.”
He did reaffirm the desire to keep Super League involved though with the British fans making a particularly good impression on the NRL execs and pundits.
V’landys said: “We really do want to keep the Super League partnership because that worked exceptionally well.
“It generated a completely new atmosphere and a vibe that I’ve never seen so that probably continues.
“We look, we’ll go home, do a post-mortem, and we’ll just see how we do it next year.”
NRL commentator Andrew Voss, who took to the air for Sky Sports on Saturday night, has also spoken on his SEN radio show making an appeal to have a Good Friday derby in Las Vegas for 2026.
He declared: “The Super League is now here to stay. The English involvement has been a huge plus this year to last. I would have Wigan play St Helens next year. Two very strong clubs.”
It’s unclear if Wigan Warriors would make an immediate return or if teams will effectively share out the Las Vegas quota although St Helens are believed to have thrown their hat in the ring, alongside the likes of Leeds Rhinos and Hull KR.
On the future of a women’s international at the Las Vegas event, V’landys conceded that the Australian side are simply too good right now and confirmed that there will be a ‘review’ to “think about what the right opportunities are to showcase the women’s game to an international audience.”
https://www.seriousaboutrl.com/andrew-v ... an-102135/
Anyone can support a team when it is winning, that takes no courage.
But to stand behind a team, to defend a team when it is down and really needs you,
that takes a lot of courage. #18thMan
But to stand behind a team, to defend a team when it is down and really needs you,
that takes a lot of courage. #18thMan
Re: NRL games in the UK? League considers season-opener in the UK
They definitely need to drop the woman's international, the UK league just isn't up to the standards of the Aussies and never will be, there just isn't the interest in the women's game, over here.
The only way to improve is to go full time, but there isn't enough money, even in the men's game, so no chance in the women's game.
The only way to improve is to go full time, but there isn't enough money, even in the men's game, so no chance in the women's game.
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WarriorWinger
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Re: NRL games in the UK? League considers season-opener in the UK
If they want to expand the women's game internationally and use Vegas as the venue to do this, then they need two NRLW teams to compete on the day or maybe an Aus v NZ game, where the players are all playing in the NRLW
Re: NRL games in the UK? League considers season-opener in the UK
90 thousand at wembley for 2 NRL games? No chance.
Re: NRL games in the UK? League considers season-opener in the UK
So do I. I'd go though, as long as it was two of the top teams.