Polin Waterparks
Polin was founded in Istanbul in 1976, and has since grown into a leading company in the waterparks industry. Today Polin is one of the world leaders in the design, production, and installation of…
read moreThis weekend’s season opening NRL double-header in the USA city of Las Vegas is reported to have generated ticket sales in excess of 33,000.
Being held at 65,000 Allegiant Stadium, adjacent to the Las Vegas Strip - where the Super Bowl took place just three weeks ago - the fixtures between the Manly Sea Eagles and South Sydney Rabbitohs followed by the Sydney Roosters playing the Brisbane Broncos are the first in a five-year deal to develop the game in North America.
Speaking following the announcement of the NRL’s record financial result in 2023, newly re-elected Australian Rugby League Commission Chairman, Peter V’landys advised of the ticket-sales but cautioned that “a lot of things could go wrong”.
V’landys told 7NEWS Sydney’s Mel McLaughlin “I’m excited but at the same time very nervous. Naturally it’s a big gamble, it’s a big risk for the game.
“This has unlimited potential, especially financially. It could generate tens of millions if not hundreds of millions over a period of time.”
In addition to the two fixtures, NRL will also host the Las Vegas 9s tournament and a talent competition to go in search of four American athletes who could have the potential to star in Australia.
NRL Chief Executive Andrew Abdo added that while hoping for as big a crowd as possible in Las Vegas, the sport has other goals.
Abdo told radio station 2GB Sports “it’s about more than the live crowd.
“This is a long-term strategy to win fans in America and so it’s less about who is there for the double-header and more about who is interested in following our players and our clubs throughout the season.”
With sports gambling legalised in an increasing number of US states, the NRL is also looking to tap into this fast growing market, hoping to agree a wagering deal with a US company, which could stream games to customers, from which it will receive a cut of all bets made on the competition.
Rugby league’s previously forays in to the USA saw an exhibition State of Origin game in 1987, the Kangaroos take on the USA in 2004 and a Test between New Zealand and England in Denver in 2018.
Images: The NRL's Provans-Summons Trophy - previously the Telstra Premiership Trophy - in Las Vegas (top, credit: NRL) and Las Vegas' Allegiant Stadium (below).
22nd February 2024 - NRL advises of record financial result in 2023
10th February 2024 - ‘New organisational design’ sees departure of NRL executives
13th December 2023 - City of Parramatta and NRL partnership aims to expand sport experience beyond the stadium
13th December 2023 - Board dismissed and former NSW Premier steps in at NRL club Wests Tigers
10th December 2023 - NRL’s Parramatta Eels and BBL’s Sydney Thunder launch combined membership
8th December 2023 - Teamworks announces Melbourne Storm as latest NRL club to adopt their technology
23rd September 2023 - Brisbane’s NRL and AFL Preliminary Finals anticipated to generate $10 million for local economy
12th September 2023 - AFL and NRL fans warned to look out for finals ticketing scams
5th September 2023 - NRL and Queensland schools initiative to provide pathway for elite female athletes
11th August 2023 - NRL announces USA venue for double-header 2024 season opener
11th August 2023 - NRL and players agree new Collective Bargaining Agreement
24th July 2023 - Sydney’s Accor Stadium announced as host venue for 2023 NRL Grand Final
24th July 2023 - Australian Government commits $5.5 million to boost Papua New Guinea pathway to NRL
9th June 2023 - NRL’s Warriors welcoming highest home crowds since the 1990s
31st May 2023 - NRL’s Rabbitohs Centre of Excellence gets official opening
25th May 2023 - $3 million Kayo Stadium lighting installation illuminates Dolphins’ first NRL home night game
9th October 2020 - Aristocrat agrees Allegiant Stadium partnership to highlight gaming technology
1st April 2019 - Australian Government announces three-year backing for AFL’s annual fixture in China
Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?
As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.
The Complete Guide to Leisure Industry Products & Services.
Polin was founded in Istanbul in 1976, and has since grown into a leading company in the waterparks industry. Today Polin is one of the world leaders in the design, production, and installation of…
read moreTJS Services is a leading national facility services provider. We deliver quality cleaning, maintenance, construction and facility management services to over 1,500 sites Australia wide. Our…
read moreTicketSearch is focused on providing businesses, organisations, and venues with affordable, efficient, and powerful self-managed ticketing solutions. The organisation has offices in Australia, New…
read moreGladstone Health & Leisure (Gladstone MRM Pty Ltd Australia) is a leading supplier of leisure management and fitness software and is endorsed by leading health and fitness professionals and…
read moreTrack. Engage. Retain GreeneDesk is a suite of cloud based software solutions helping health clubs, leisure centres and swim schools to effectively track progression, improve customer engagement and…
read moreInterQuad (International Quadratics) With a combined legacy spanning over 150 years, International Quadratics (founded in 1976) and Pierce Pool Supplies (originally established in 1898 as A H…
read moreABOUT SPORTENG specialises in the Planning, Design and Construction inspection of Fields of Play for all sports. Blending engineering with the specialist knowledge gained from working closely with…
read moreWelcome to AAC – makers of the world’s best wristbands, lanyards, tickets, tokens and full-service print solutions. We are Australia’s premier global manufacturer and supplier of…
read moreGet your business noticed in our targeted directory. Viewed by 10,000 industry professionals per week!