NRL Las Vegas Event Attracts Large American Audience and Gains New Fans

Image credits: Ethan Miller/Getty Images/AFP

The National Rugby League (NRL) has made a significant impact in the United States, with its recent season-opener in Las Vegas attracting a large American audience and gaining new fans for the sport. The event, which was held at Allegiant Stadium, drew a crowd of 45,209, with 15,000 local fans in attendance. The matches were broadcast on free-to-air TV in the USA, allowing a wider audience to experience the sport.

The NRL's move to broadcast its games on Fox Sports 1 in the USA has been described as "unprecedented" by veteran NRL journalist Phil Rothfield, and has helped to establish a small but growing presence for the sport in the American market. The league's supremo, Peter V'landys, has stated that the NRL is now "on the world map" and has thanked Lachlan Murdoch for his role in putting the sport on the global stage. The NRL has also been praised for its exciting and physical style of play, with many American fans commenting on the speed and athleticism of the game.

The event in Las Vegas featured a quadruple-header, with matches between the Canberra Raiders and New Zealand Warriors, the Penrith Panthers and Cronulla Sharks, the Australian Jillaroos and England's women's team, and the Wigan Warriors and Warrington Wolves. The results were as follows:

• Canberra Raiders 30 defeated NZ Warriors 8
• Penrith Panthers 28 defeated Cronulla Sharks 22
• Australian Jillaroos 90 defeated England 4
• Wigan Warriors 48 defeated Warrington Wolves 24

The rugby league community has been quick to capitalize on the success of the event, with many fans and players taking to social media to express their excitement and enthusiasm for the sport. The event has also generated significant interest and coverage in the American media, with many outlets featuring stories and highlights from the matches.

The success of the NRL's Las Vegas event has also been seen as a major boost for the sport's global profile, with many experts predicting that it will help to attract new fans and increase participation in the sport. The event has also highlighted the growing popularity of rugby league in the USA, with many American fans expressing their enthusiasm for the sport and their desire to learn more about it. As the NRL continues to expand its presence in the American market, it will be interesting to see how the sport develops and grows in the coming years.

The NRL's move into the American market is part of a broader strategy to increase its global presence and attract new fans to the sport. The league has also been working to develop its digital presence, with a range of online platforms and social media channels providing fans with access to news, highlights, and analysis from around the world. As the sport continues to grow and develop, it will be exciting to see how the NRL and its partners work to promote and develop the game, both in Australia and around the world.

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