Rugby League Takes Center Stage in Las Vegas with Historic Super League Match

Image credits: SWPix

Rugby league history was made on Saturday as the sport ventured stateside to try to crack the American market. Wigan Warriors' Super League fixture against Warrington Wolves was the first regular Super League fixture to take place in the United States and opened up a bumper weekend at Las Vegas' Allegiant Stadium. The event was the continuation of an event Australia's National Rugby League (NRL) organised in 2024, which saw over 40,000 fans attend the rugby league Las Vegas event at Allegiant Stadium.

The sport had planned to hold the Rugby League World Cup in the United States during the 2020s, but that move fell through. However, with the recent surge in US interest, rugby league is taking the task of expanding into the American market seriously. The expanded event in 2025 included three domestic fixtures between the NRL and Super League, as well as England's Lionesses facing Australia's Jillaroos for the first time since the 2017 World Cup. The fixture was primed to help women's rugby league develop, and the event as a whole aimed to increase brand recognition for the sport and its clubs in a lucrative part of the world.

The Super League match between Wigan Warriors and Warrington Wolves was a highly anticipated game between two titans of the code. Wigan Warriors ultimately emerged victorious, winning 48-24 in a 12-try feast for the fans at Allegiant Stadium. Bevan French and Jai Field were devastating for the winners, with French scoring multiple tries and Field showing off his skills with a long run to set up a try. The match was a significant milestone for rugby league in the American market, and the sport will be hoping to build on this success in the future.

In addition to the Super League match, the event also featured a number of other exciting fixtures, including a match between the Raiders and the Warriors, which the Raiders won 30-8. The NRL Telstra Premiership season also got underway, with the Panthers facing off against the Sharks. The event as a whole was a huge success, with thousands of fans attending the matches and millions more watching around the world. The success of the event will be a major boost to the sport, and will help to increase its popularity in the American market.

Some of the biggest stars on show at the event included Liam Marshall, Harry Smith, and Matt Dufty, who all impressed with their skills and athleticism. The event also featured a number of international players, including England's Lionesses and Australia's Jillaroos, who faced off in a highly anticipated match. The international flavor of the event added to its excitement and appeal, and helped to showcase the sport to a new and wider audience.