Rugby League’s move to Las Vegas expands the sport and boosts earnings

NRL’s Unique Venture in Las Vegas

LAS VEGAS — The National Rugby League (NRL) is carving out a distinctive presence here, reminiscent of the NFL’s recent international expansions into places like England, Mexico, Germany, Spain, and, for the first time this year, Australia.

Launched just three years ago into a five-year plan in Las Vegas, the NRL’s operation has turned into quite a profitable project, though it started with significant expenses.

According to league officials, sending four teams to Las Vegas was a costly endeavor initially. However, they managed to make a small profit last year, and this year, it seems to be pulling in around $2 million in profit.

The sight of excited Australian fans, along with enthusiastic supporters from England watching the match between reigning champs Hull KR and Super League competitors Leeds, hints at even greater financial success in the future.

Peter Brandies, chairman of the Australian Rugby League Board, recently commented on the impressive growth Las Vegas has experienced over the last couple of years. He noted, “We’ve turned things around in two years, and Las Vegas has given us the momentum to become Australia’s No. 1 sport.”

Wayne Pearce, a former NRL star and current Australian Rugby League commissioner, remarked, “The exposure to the game over the last two years has been fantastic. The awareness, and the number of current subscriptions, has truly skyrocketed.” App subscriptions have reportedly increased significantly.

Officials highlighted that subscriptions to the Watch NRL app have doubled since their inaugural game in Las Vegas in 2024, with a 67 percent rise last year.

“Even if we capture just a small slice of the U.S. market, there’s a vast potential for growth,” Pearce said. He added that the first year was essentially about figuring things out, but now they are operating as professionals. “We’re confident that if people just experience the game, they’ll quickly get it.”

Marcus Darker, currently with the Newcastle Knights, didn’t participate in Saturday’s match against the North Queensland Cowboys at Allegiant Stadium, but his background is noteworthy.

Darker was noted by an Australian club during the Las Vegas Combine, which has been part of the NRL since its 2024 season kicked off in Las Vegas.

This combine aims to identify rugby league talent across the United States, having yielded four male winners since 2024, though only Darker has signed with an NRL club.

Discovered at the combine by talent scout Peter O’Sullivan, Darker is a promising 21-year-old. O’Sullivan expressed confidence, saying, “He’s physical, quick, and definitely has the capability to compete in the NRL. If he gets the chance to play, particularly given the NRL’s aspirations in Las Vegas and the growth of the sport globally, it would greatly benefit the league’s goals.”

Darker is joining the Knights in Las Vegas this week, albeit only as a team member for now. He remains hopeful about possibly making his NRL debut someday.