NRL’s 2027 Las Vegas teams revealed
Wests Tigers head to Las Vegas.
“This is a lot better than a first-round bye, that’s for sure,” Tigers interim CEO Shaun Mielekamp said.
The NRL has confirmed clashes for the 2027 season openers to be played at Allegiant Stadium on Sunday, February 28 (AEDT): Tigers will take on Melbourne, while Parramatta will battle Gold Coast. The match between English Super League clubs Bradford Bulls and Leigh Leopards will complete the triple header.
The Dolphins were the unlucky team he missed out on, but he will have the opportunity to experience Las Vegas in 2028.
The Tigers’ involvement came after the club’s management changed its mind. It appears the joint venture’s players and fans will not need their passports after previous chief executive Shane Richardson made it clear they would not be involved under his watch.
“Las Vegas was a complete disaster and a party trip for everyone; I don’t want to go,” Richardson said. AFR In 2024. “I’m all about rugby league and…those little Christmas cakes don’t make any difference to the game.”
But Richardson’s departure last year paved the way for a change in direction.
“For us, Vegas has been a bit of a journey,” Mielekamp said. “Personally, I have to thank the board and the entire Holman Barnes Group for supporting us financially because it costs money to go to Vegas. We wouldn’t have been able to go without their support.
“It just shows the desire of the club. It’s a great time for us to show that we are a club moving forward. We haven’t been ready for the last couple of seasons but things are going pretty well at the back, the squad is nice and solid and [coach] Benji [Marshall] is now established.
“It’s a good sign that we’re moving forward… We want to be part of the big games, we want to be part of the big show. This gives us a platform for that.”
Parramatta also felt he was mature enough to be part of the Vegas experience in the fourth iteration of the football program.
“This is an opportunity to create a different experience and connection point for everyone associated with the club and those attending the trip,” said Eels CEO Jim Sarantinos.
“Playing on that stage is a fantastic opportunity. Talking to other clubs is an opportunity to bring you, your sponsors, members and fans even closer together. There are often good memories from our trips together. This is the ultimate away trip.”
The Eels traditionally open their season against a Melbourne team that hasn’t lost a game in the first round for 25 years. That challenge is now in the hands of the Tigers.
“Someone needs to break the Melbourne Storm once and for all,” Mielekamp said. “Why us?”
The NRL has officially launched special travel packages featuring direct charter flights from three Australian states from 8am on Wednesday.
Four direct NRL charter flights – two from Sydney and one each from Brisbane and Melbourne – will fly direct to Las Vegas, each destined for participating clubs. All-inclusive packages are the only way to get tickets to the 2027 games for an exclusive three-week period through TripADeal. vegastravel.nrl.com
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