Rugby union is rising in the US. That’s bad news for the NRL

Rugby union is rising in the US. That’s bad news for the NRL

Hosting season openers in Las Vegas was supposed to help the NRL grab a slice of the world’s biggest sports fan and betting market. It has not been so simple.

Rugby League Takes Over Vegas: A Review of the NRL Las Vegas Event

When the National Rugby League (NRL) brought its season opener to Las Vegas, it wasn’t just a novelty—it was a statement. The world’s best rugby league competition planted its flag in the American sports capital, delivering speed, power, and nonstop action to a crowd largely unfamiliar with the game. Played at Allegiant Stadium, the event featured four elite Australian clubs and introduced U.S. fans to a sport that combines the collision intensi…