Rugby League expecting huge Las Vegas crowd as NRL coach reflects on 'proud' experience

Rugby League's blockbuster event in Las Vegas could sell as many as 60,000 tickets—at least according to reports in Australia.. Sales to continue to flourish on both sides of the world, with Vegas' Alligent Stadium, which could come close to capacity, playing host to one of the sport's most anticipated events in recent history.

In total, four games will take place at the expanded concept, which saw the 2024 NRL launch with a doubleheader blockbuster. But now a Super League clash has also been added, with Wigan Warriors taking on Warrington Wolves in a round three clash. There is also a women's international featuring England and Australia, with the two NRL games seeing Canberra Raiders meet New Zealand Warriors and four-peat Premiers Penrith Panthers take on Cronulla Sharks.

And for Sydney Roosters coach Trent Robinson, whose side took part in last season's concept, 'all the signs' point to a bigger and better event. The Roosters chief, who previously coached Catalans Dragons in Super League before leading the Sydney club to three Premierships in 2013, 2018, and 2019, says Vegas was the 'best' season launch he's ever seen.

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Speaking on Vegas, Robinson told nrl.com: "If any of them want to pull out, we'll go again. That was the best season launch I've seen in rugby league. It was the most amazing experience that the teams and fans had, and next season will be bigger than ever.

"I was proud to be a rugby league fan in Las Vegas. It's the best away venue in sport, and I was proud of the way the NRL launched the season. It led us into one of the better viewing seasons of rugby league that we've had because of the season launch."

He continued: "The excitement when we came home was so high. With how early the NRL put it on, it created this great launching pad for everybody to say, 'I want to go'.

"The sin city part is an old label. Las Vegas has so many things for families now, so that whole once-in-a-lifetime trip for people in Australia is an option. Now with England, wait until you see those fans travel. I don't see why it's not an event every year for a long period of time."

Wigan and Warrington fans are expected to travel in numbers for the event, with rugby league fans coming from all corners of the globe. Meanwhile, last season's event atracted a total crowd of 40,746, with all bodies confident that figure will be smashed come March 1.

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