Four NRL clubs have emerged as the frontrunners to book a spot for the two season-opening games in Las Vegas for the 2025 season.
The Panthers have long viewed 2025 as the ideal year for the club to travel overseas, given they will lose access to their regular home ground in Penrith next season while it is receiving renovations.
They have earmarked games in Las Vegas, a home Magic Round clash, and their usual Bathurst matches to offset some of the damage that playing their Sydney games in Parramatta will do.
The Penrith Panthers were always one of the favourites to be chosen to compete in Las Vegas next year, but three clubs have joined them as the front-runners.
According to News Corp, the other three top contenders are the Parramatta Eels, North Queensland Cowboys and Melbourne Storm.
This would create a Western Sydney blockbuster match between the Eels and Panthers, while the Cowboys would take on the Storm.
It is understood that the NRL's deadline for submission closes on Friday, and the Broncos, Bulldogs, Sea Eagles, Rabbitohs, Roosters, Titans, and Wests Tigers will not be one of the four teams heading to the United States, per the publication.
Although not seen as contenders, The Dolphins, Cronulla Sharks, Canberra Raiders, Newcastle Knights, and St George Illawarra Dragons are all still in the race to play in the city that never sleeps.
Zerotackle
Replies
Bet Matto wouldn't sit out a free holiday if he finds himself charged by the MRC . We'd probably be without Dylan Brown though with him having a record for a sex crime.
He'd fit right in at Las Vegas.
Brown would be buried in the desert after fondling the wrong woman, and Matto would be outside the casinos wearing a cardboard sandwich board warning people about sinning. Lest he could stay in Father Brian's penthouse and drive his Lambo around . Both which were purchased from the donation plates handed around .
I hope the Eels don't go. I don't see the point. There's no yanks in the crowd anyway. Rather have the home game advantage at CommBank.
As long as it doesn't count as a home game, couldn't care less as it is bound to happen in next 4 years anyway. I have been to Vegas twice in my life and though i do enjoy do not feel the necessity to go back anytime soon, so even better i can watch it at home and not feel the 'I need to be there' bug.
If we're up against Penrith, it will guaranteed be our 'home' game. As well as losing Darwin, and possibly Magic Round, we could lose a lot of games from Parra next year.
No it will be a panthers home game, their home ground is closed next year, it's one of the reasons the panthers are keen to play in Vegas next year.
If Parra go I would love to head over there for my 50th.....
Me to Frank.
How long before the masses realise what a stupid waste of time & money this is.
I see this as nothing more than a distraction to our players and it robs season ticket holders of another opportunity to see the team live.
Do we really think that Americians have more than a passing interest inthe game. 99.9% of those who are interested cannot disern the difference between League & Union. The refer to all of it as Rugby.
Further, to the Australian supporter watching on TV, what possible difference could it make when watching a televised broadcast from your home, if that broadcast was beamed from Las Vegas of Blacktown.
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