Iran conflict could spell the end for NRL’s Global Round plans
While London is safe, the issue for the NRL will be how much traveling fans will be asked to pay for flights. Due to the conflict, airlines are avoiding Middle Eastern airspace and flying via Asia; This will increase costs if limited routes continue.
“What’s happening in Iran has definitely made us cautious about what we do next year,” V’landys said Sunday.
“We’d still love to play a match in Abu Dhabi or London, but there’s no way we can take any risks. We’ll have to announce something in the next month or six weeks. We’ll have a clearer picture next month.”
“The priority will be London, then Abu Dhabi. With 700,000 Australians living in London at one time, there is a natural interest in Super League and we want to promote our Watch NRL overseas app and believe we can generate millions of dollars in new revenue.”
“Abu Dhabi also has a big appeal and we were offered a lot of money to go to a match there.
“Japan and Hong Kong were also on our list. Depending on what happens, we may have to focus on playing a game closer to home.”
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V’landys would love a global tour because first revealed by this imprint last OctoberTo complete the matches in Las Vegas.
Decision on which teams will participate next year Double header in Vegas The fourth installment of rugby league in the tourist Mecca will be held at around the same time as the final call is made in the Global Round.
V’landys said of the five remaining clubs to play in the US – Parramatta, Melbourne, Dolphins, Gold Coast and Wests Tigers: “They are all keen. It will come down to who wants to be the home team and the management are negotiating all of those at the moment.”
