The National Rugby League has confirmed four elite clubs will start the season in NRL Vegas 2026. This marks the third straight year of this international showcase. The success of 2024 and 2025 events has paved the way for another rugby league festival under Nevada’s bright lights. Three high-profile matches will take place at Allegiant Stadium on Saturday, February 28 (Sunday, March 1 in Australia).
Canterbury Bulldogs to face St George Illawarra Dragons
The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs will lead the 2026 Vegas spectacle against their traditional rivals, the St George Illawarra Dragons. Bulldogs CEO Aaron Warburton feels confident about the timing of their Vegas debut.
“Since the NRL launched this initiative, we’ve been strategically planning for the right moment to bring the Bulldogs to Las Vegas,” Warburton explained. “With our club’s growing momentum and passionate fanbase, 2026 represents the perfect opportunity to showcase the Bulldogs on this global stage”.
The fixture has an interesting twist. The Bulldogs will be the ‘Home’ team in Vegas. The club has also confirmed two shared joint venture games with the Dragons. Season ticketholders will get a seat at the second fixture against the Dragons at a neutral Sydney venue later in the season.
Dragons Chairman Andrew Lancaster spoke about the matchup’s importance: “If you’re looking for a huge match-up to sell the game globally it doesn’t get much bigger than a clash between traditional rivals in the Dragons and Bulldogs”.
Bulldogs Head Coach Cameron Ciraldo sees this as a special chance for his team. “We’re very privileged to be going to Las Vegas in 2026, the squad and staff are buzzing at the thought of stepping onto Allegiant Stadium,” he said. “This is going to be an experience unlike any other, and opportunities like this don’t come very often”.
Both clubs will host the Vegas fixture and a return game at a neutral Sydney venue later in 2026. This ensures fans who can’t make the international trip can still watch this historic rivalry.
Newcastle Knights to play North Queensland Cowboys
The Newcastle Knights will make history by playing the North Queensland Cowboys in Las Vegas. This will be the Knights’ first premiership game outside Australia and New Zealand. Fresh from their Anzac Day game, the Knights continue to feature in rugby league’s biggest events.
More than 35,000 Knights members have shown interest in the Vegas trip. The club wants to bring the Hunter region’s pride and passion to the world stage.
“Vegas has been a wonderful opportunity for the growth of our game and for the Cowboys to be part of year three is terrific for our club,” said Cowboys CEO Jeff Reibel. “It gives our members and fans not only the opportunity to support us in Vegas, but also an opportunity to be part of what is faster emerging as the greatest spectacle to begin a season in professional sport”.
The NRL has arranged club-themed charter flights straight to Las Vegas. Fans can fly from Newcastle and Townsville for AUD 4571.68 return. The Cowboys have also teamed up with CBT, an NRL-accredited travel partner. They offer packages with flights from Brisbane, accommodation, game transfers, and a special function with a club ambassador.
The Cowboys look set to have one of the largest fan groups in the USA. They’ve called on North Queensland supporters to “out-cheer, out-enthuse and out-number” their rivals at this showcase event.
Hull KR and Leeds Rhinos to represent Super League
British rugby league will send Hull KR and Leeds Rhinos to the 2026 Las Vegas event. This follows Wigan Warriors and Warrington Wolves’ successful appearance in 2025, strengthening ties between the NRL and Super League.
Hull KR Chief Executive Paul Lakin highlighted the event’s importance: “This is undoubtably the biggest Betfred Super League event ever in terms of profile and global attention. To have Hull KR at the heart of it is an incredible opportunity we’re determined to maximise”.
Hull KR will give up a home game but won’t raise membership prices as planned for 2026. They’re also working to bring fans together in Hull to enjoy the event as a community.
Leeds Rhinos Commercial Director, Rob Oates, shared his excitement: “We are delighted to get the call to head to Vegas in 2026. Everyone here in Super League was blown away by the impact that Wigan and Warrington made earlier in the year and the challenge now is to make it even bigger and better in ’26”.
Both clubs have travel packages ready. Leeds Rhinos and SportsBreaks offer deals including return flights, stays at the Bellagio hotel, exclusive pre-match events, and club legends as tour guides.
Over 10,000 UK fans are expected to travel for the event. This shows how much interest this international showcase has generated. Super League teams’ participation makes this a truly global event, building on previous years’ success.
The NRL Vegas 2026 showcase reflects the NRL’s growing international reach. The event has been streamlined to three matches, unlike 2025’s four-game format including a women’s international. This change comes after feedback that the previous year’s nine-hour marathon was “too long for most attending”.
Fans can now buy tickets starting at AUD 44.34. Club Members get first access on June 3, followed by public sales on June 5. The NRL has created its best fan experience yet with charter flights, travel packages, and early ticket access. This event has become a must-see for rugby league fans worldwide.
NRL Vegas 2026 schedule set for Allegiant Stadium
Rugby league will return to Las Vegas with an action-packed triple-header in 2026. The NRL has confirmed the official schedule after trying different formats for two years. Organisers have created a well-laid-out schedule based on fan feedback from previous events.
Event date confirmed as February 28 (March 1 in Australia)
The 2026 NRL Vegas event will take place at Allegiant Stadium on Saturday, February 28, 2026. Australian fans will catch the action on Sunday, March 1 due to the time difference. This date kicks off the NRL Telstra Premiership season, following the tradition started at the 2024 Vegas showcase.
Fans can now plan ahead for this highly anticipated annual event. The timing works perfectly – during American winter and before NFL season starts. This gives rugby league exclusive use of Allegiant Stadium on a prime weekend.
Australian viewers who can’t make the trip will watch matches during Sunday daytime hours. The NRL picked this time slot to give both live attendees and TV audiences the best experience.
Ticket prices start at AUD 44.34. The NRL has set up a two-phase ticket release:
- Club Members get first access on Tuesday, June 3
- General public sales begin Thursday, June 5
This system rewards loyal supporters while making sure everyone has a fair chance to attend this landmark event.
Three matches planned instead of four
The 2026 Vegas showcase will feature three matches instead of four. This change comes after studying fan behaviour and feedback from the 2025 event. Australian Rugby League Commission Chairman Peter V’landys backed this decision.
“We’re looking at three next year,” V’landys told AAP. “[Because of the] length of day and fans leaving after their teams played”.
The 2025 programme ran for nine hours with four back-to-back matches – two NRL games, one Super League match, and a women’s international Test. The event drew 45,209 fans, but crowd numbers went up and down throughout the day.
Allegiant Stadium’s no pass-out rule played a big part in this decision. Fans couldn’t leave and come back, which meant staying inside for nine hours to watch all games. This common American venue policy created problems for the extended rugby league format.
The stadium was fullest during the second game between Canberra and the Warriors in 2025. Numbers dropped after that, with noticeably empty stands during what should have been the main event – Cronulla versus premiers Penrith in the final game.
The NRL thought about spreading games across two days but dropped this idea due to high costs. Three quality matches will create a better experience while cutting operational expenses.
No women’s international game is included this year
The 2026 Vegas schedule won’t include a women’s international match. This follows the Jillaroos’ 90-4 win over England in 2025, which showed a big skill gap between these teams.
NRL officials believe women’s rugby league needs to grow internationally. The one-sided 2025 game didn’t provide the excitement needed for this showcase event. The score showed how far ahead Australia’s NRLW competition is compared to England.
This might be temporary rather than permanent. NSW women’s State of Origin coach John Strange supports taking a break to find a better format.
“I think if they took it away for a year but then rethought it and brought it back the next year in a better format, that would be good,” Strange said. “Sometimes you have to take a step backwards to go forwards”.
Strange suggested several options:
- A women’s State of Origin match in Vegas
- Last season’s NRLW grand finalists facing off
- Playing against New Zealand for a closer match
“Right now, the only international fixture that will be competitive is the Jillaroos versus Kiwis,” Strange said. “They’re the only two fixtures I think they should be looking at if they’re going to continue it”.
The NRL wanted to keep good relations with English Super League clubs. About 10,000 English fans travelled for the 2025 event, so keeping the Super League game was vital for international appeal.
The 2026 three-match lineup features:
- Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs versus St George Illawarra Dragons (NRL)
- Newcastle Knights versus North Queensland Cowboys (NRL)
- Hull KR versus Leeds Rhinos (Super League)
These matches showcase traditional rivalries and passionate fans. The six clubs have some of rugby league’s most dedicated supporters. This lineup aims to keep fans in their seats while showing the best of both hemispheres’ competitions.
Global broadcast details and kick-off times will be announced later. The NRL continues to improve the Vegas format based on fan feedback, showing flexibility in this international venture.
NRL launches charter flights and travel packages for fans
The NRL has revealed a major travel programme with direct charter flights and travel packages to boost fan attendance at the landmark Las Vegas event. Thousands of fans can now witness rugby league history in the entertainment capital of the world, thanks to the league’s commitment to make the 2026 Vegas experience available to more supporters.
Four club-themed charter flights from Sydney, Newcastle, and Townsville
The NRL has set up four dedicated charter flights that line up with each participating NRL team. Fans will experience team-themed travel from the moment they board these direct flights from key Australian cities.
The flight schedule looks like this:
- Dragons Fans Charter: Departing Sydney on Tuesday, 24 February with return travel on Sunday, 1 March
- Knights Fans Charter: First leg departing Newcastle on Tuesday, 24 February before connecting to a second charter flight from Sydney direct to Las Vegas, with return journey on Sunday, 1 March
- Bulldogs Fans Charter: Departing Sydney on Wednesday, 25 February with return travel on Monday, 2 March
- Cowboys Fans Charter: First leg departing Townsville on Wednesday, 25 February before connecting to a second charter flight from Brisbane direct to Las Vegas, with return journey on Monday, 2 March
A fifth charter flight option is now available for general rugby league supporters. This flight leaves Sydney on Thursday, 26 February and returns on Tuesday, 3 March.
Qantas will operate these non-stop international full-service chartered flights. Fans won’t need stopovers as these are the only direct flights between Australia and Las Vegas.
Cowboys supporters can choose to join the dedicated Brisbane charter if they don’t want to leave from Townsville. This shows NRL’s commitment to meet different fan’s travel priorities.
NRL CEO Andrew Abdo emphasised the importance of this travel initiative: “Las Vegas has become a bucket list item for not only NRL and Super League fans but for fans of world-class sport and entertainment. We’ve worked with our partners to create affordable travel packages for fans who want to take advantage of a once-in-a-lifetime trip with family and friends”.
Return flights priced from $2,800 to $2,990
The charter flights offer competitive prices compared to traditional routes that need connections. Here’s what you’ll pay:
- Sydney departures: AUD 4281.17 return
- Newcastle and Townsville departures: AUD 4571.68 return[161]
Premium Economy or Business Class upgrades are available on all charter flights. These come with extra perks like access to an exclusive VIP area at the Fan Fest event on Fremont Street.
Qantas Frequent Flyer members will earn full points and Status Credits for each flight segment[171]. This means loyal customers keep their membership benefits while travelling to this special event.
The NRL has coordinated with aviation authorities, stadium management, and clubs to make these charter flights happen. Fans from Newcastle and Townsville can now travel on dedicated services for their club’s games – a first in Vegas initiative history.
“We’ve given supporters the opportunity to plan early and take advantage of special offers,” Abdo said, highlighting NRL’s focus on advance planning.
Travel packages available via NRL Travel by Trip A Deal
NRL has teamed up with Trip A Deal to offer complete travel packages under NRL Travel. These bundles include flights, accommodation, game tickets, and exclusive merchandise to make planning easier.
The packages come in different tiers:
- Charter Flight & Stay Packages: You get return Qantas direct charter flights from Sydney or Brisbane, five nights’ accommodation, event tickets with upgrade options, Vegas airport transfers, and exclusive merchandise
- Hotel Packages: Starting at AUD 1068.76 per person, these include 3-5 nights of accommodation, event tickets, and merchandise for fans arranging their own flights
- Extended Travel Experiences: Choose from:
- Rugby League Vegas & New York Escape: Combine Vegas with New York City
- Rugby League Vegas & Caribbean Cruise: Experience Vegas plus a Norwegian Cruise Line Caribbean cruise
Accommodation ranges from the three-star Flamingo Las Vegas Hotel & Casino to the five-star Encore Las Vegas. This gives fans options that match their budget and preferences.
The Encore’s premium packages feature two spas, an 18-hole golf course, temperature-controlled pools, eleven fine dining spots, eleven casual restaurants, and nine bars. The Flamingo offers outdoor pools with waterslides, a 4-acre Wildlife Habitat with Chilean flamingos, and seven restaurants.
Each package includes a silver event ticket. Fans can upgrade to Supporter Bay, Gold, Diamond, or Elite categories. Elite tickets give you special access to either the Modelo Cantina Club or Twitch Sideline Lounge during game day.
The packages include thoughtful extras. You’ll find exclusive Rugby League Las Vegas merchandise on your seat when boarding international charter flights[171]. Premium Economy and Business Class passengers get VIP area access at the Fan Fest event.
Other official travel providers offer different package options. Sportsnet Holidays has four-night packages with central accommodation, Fan Fest entry, and access to a “Welcome to Vegas” event at Topgolf Las Vegas. Fanatics offers five nights at Treasure Island on the Las Vegas strip with match tickets and a commemorative cap.
Cowboys CEO Jeff Reibel shared his excitement: “It gives our members and fans not only the opportunity to support us in Vegas, but also an opportunity to be part of what is rapidly emerging as the greatest spectacle to begin a season in professional sport”.
This travel programme shows how sports organisations can help fans attend international events. The NRL has created an optimised way for supporters to join this global showcase by handling everything from flights to exclusive experiences.
“Thank you to our Clubs and all our partners, including the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, Allegiant Stadium and our broadcast partners, who have worked closely with us to create a truly unique event that launches the NRL season in unmatched style,” Abdo said.
The NRL Vegas 2026 event looks promising with strong package uptake expected. Carefully selected team matchups featuring clubs with passionate fans, combined with direct flights, quality accommodation, and exclusive experiences make this the most fan-friendly international rugby league showcase yet.
Officials highlight global ambitions and fan engagement
Rugby league officials have shown an ambitious international vision behind the NRL Vegas 2026 event. This vision highlights the sport’s growing worldwide appeal and its push beyond traditional markets. League executives and club officials are now focusing on the broader strategic value of this international venture as preparations speed up for rugby league’s third American showcase.
Quotes from NRL CEO Andrew Abdo on international exposure
NRL Chief Executive Andrew Abdo sees the Las Vegas showcase as key to the league’s worldwide growth strategy. “Las Vegas has become a bucket list item for not only NRL and Super League fans but for fans of world-class sport and entertainment,” Abdo stated. His words highlight how the event has grown into a global sporting spectacle.
The 2026 Vegas event marks a key step in rugby league’s worldwide growth. “We’ve worked with our partners to create a truly unique event that launches the NRL season in unmatched style”. These words show NRL’s aim to make rugby league known worldwide beyond its usual markets.
American ventures have created new business chances. “Outside of the benefit we get here domestically, in America we’ve now got sponsors that are incremental. We would not have had these sponsors had we not been growing in America,” Abdo said. “We’ve got a successful travel experience for fans, and we’ve got incremental subscriptions on Watch NRL, so you’ve got real revenue coming in which helps us invest in expansion”.
These new revenue streams help support the league’s growth plans. Plans include adding a Papua New Guinea team in 2028 and possible growth into new markets. Vegas fits into a complete global plan that might lead to US and Pacific region teams in the future.
US viewership has grown remarkably. Numbers jumped by more than 600 percent during the 2025 Vegas event compared to 2024’s first season opener. FOX network coverage brought record US viewership. Raiders v Warriors game drew 371,000 viewers on Fox – 6.1 times more than ever before.
Club leaders express excitement over global showcase
Club executives from both NRL and Super League are excited about what Cowboys CEO Jeff Reibel called “the greatest spectacle to begin a season in professional sport”.
Bulldogs CEO Aaron Warburton spoke about the strategic value for clubs: “Since the NRL launched this initiative, we’ve been strategically planning for the right moment to bring the Bulldogs to Las Vegas. With our club’s growing momentum and passionate fanbase, 2026 represents the perfect opportunity to showcase the Bulldogs on this global stage”.
Dragons Chairman Andrew Lancaster sees huge marketing potential: “If you’re looking for a huge match-up to sell the game globally it doesn’t get much bigger than a clash between traditional rivals in the Dragons and Bulldogs”.
Participating clubs view Vegas 2026 as a way to grow worldwide. Cowboys CEO Jeff Reibel noted: “It gives our members and fans not only the opportunity to support us in Vegas, but also an opportunity to be part of what is rapidly emerging as the greatest spectacle to begin a season in professional sport”.
Even clubs that missed out on 2026 spots saw the marketing value. Reports suggest the Dolphins thought their name could strike a chord with US sports fans given the NFL’s Miami Dolphins. Australian rugby league clubs now see global exposure as key to growth.
Australian Rugby League Commission Chairman Peter V’landys points to unexpected benefits: “There was a lot of success in Vegas last year that we didn’t even plan, and for me that was record viewership in Australia and record attendances at pubs and clubs”. These local engagement numbers show how global events can boost core markets.
Super League teams expect 10,000 fans to travel
Rugby League Vegas 2026 will draw 10,000 British rugby league fans across the Atlantic to support Hull KR and Leeds Rhinos. This shows the event’s worldwide appeal and British rugby league’s passionate fans.
Hull KR Chief Executive Paul Lakin sees this as historic: “This is undoubtably the biggest Betfred Super League event ever in terms of profile and global attention. To have Hull KR at the heart of it is an incredible opportunity we’re determined to maximise”.
Leeds Rhinos Commercial Director, Rob Oates, shares the excitement: “We are delighted to get the call to head to Vegas in 2026. Everyone here in Super League was blown away by the impact that Wigan and Warrington made earlier in the year and the challenge now is to make it even bigger and better in ’26”.
British fans’ strong turnout at past Vegas events convinced NRL officials to keep the Super League fixture as a key part. They kept the English Super League connection strong even after cutting games from four to three for 2026.
Las Vegas officials recognise the tourism potential. Steve Hill, CEO of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, noted that over 14,000 Australian fans flew in for 2024 games. Many Australian expatriates living in the US also came. Adding 10,000 British fans in 2026 brings significant tourism money to Las Vegas.
The Vegas showcase proves rugby league’s growing worldwide influence. Charter flights from Australia, thousands of British fans travelling, and growing American viewership show what Australian Rugby League Commission Chairman Peter V’landys called the NRL’s “impressive vision to take the game into new markets”.
What NRL teams are going to Vegas 2026?
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, who will play agains St. George Illawarra Dragons.
And Newcastle Knights who will play against North Queensland Cowboys.
When is NRL Vegas 2026?
According to the official NRL schedule, the NRL Vegas 2026 will be held at Saturday, February 28 (Sunday, March 1 in Australia).
Conclusion
The NRL Vegas 2026 showcase marks a defining moment in rugby league’s global rise. The organisers have picked teams with deep-rooted fan bases and historic rivalries: Canterbury Bulldogs, St George Dragons, Newcastle Knights, North Queensland Cowboys, Hull KR, and Leeds Rhinos. This third American venture looks set to become a soaring win. Who said the NRL is dying?
The NRL’s decision to host three quality matches instead of four shows they listen to fan feedback. The detailed travel plans include club-themed charter flights and all-inclusive packages that show their steadfast dedication to fans worldwide. What started as a bold experiment has turned into what many now call a bucket-list sporting event.
Money matters go well beyond ticket sales. Fresh American sponsorships, better international broadcast rights, and tourism revenue create funds for expansion plans. These include the Papua New Guinea team planned for 2028. The expected turnout of 10,000 British fans plus thousands from Australia proves the event’s worldwide draw.
Rugby league’s growing confidence on the world stage shines through Vegas 2026. The sport reaches out to new audiences while deepening connections between hemisphere competitions. This international showcase has already delivered real results: American viewership is up 600%, club brands are stronger, and global exposure has reached new heights.
Rugby league’s Vegas experiment has grown from a novel idea to an essential season opener. It entertains loyal fans while bringing the sport to new markets. The first whistle at Allegiant Stadium on February 28, 2026, will kick off more than a season – it begins another chapter in rugby league’s ambitious global trip.