The Las Vegas Thread

[YoHadrian]

In 2028 the NRL will already be in 3 countries and Vegas makes 4. Adding London and Japan or Dubai makes 6.. global round.

Fumblekicky is in one country, Victoria.

 

[Dogs Of War]

In 2028 the NRL will already be in 3 countries and Vegas makes 4. Adding London and Japan or Dubai makes 6.. global round.

Was listening to James Graham's latest podcast today, and he made a good point that maybe the NRL could take a game to the ESL Magic Round. That would help the game over there as well as promote our product to that audience as well. It's all about engagement and it fits with what the NRL is doing.

 

[Steel Saints]

I'm pretty sure global round has been pushed to 2028 and the main 2 places that are mentioned repeatedly are London and Japan.
With PNG coming in in 2028 it could look like:
Vegas
Tokyo
London
Port Mosby
Auckland

With the rest being played around Australia, so 6 counties - global indeed.

Not sure how London would work. Currently London is eleven hours behind Sydney, 10 hours behind Brisbane. Broadcasters wouldn't be happy. Tokyo is a no brainer.

 

[Dogs Of War]

Not sure how London would work. Currently London is eleven hours behind Sydney, 10 hours behind Brisbane. Broadcasters wouldn't be happy. Tokyo is a no brainer.

Probably exactly like James Graham said, as part of ESL Magic Round. Only need to add the one game to the program there. Time it comes into Australia isn't as important in that context then. Make it the late game and we get it 5/6am in the morning here, or the early game on the program say on Saturday UK time midday, then telecasts into Australia at 10/11pm in Australia which is more than enough for a one off game each year.

 

[BuffaloRules]

Probably exactly like James Graham said, as part of ESL Magic Round. Only need to add the one game to the program there. Time it comes into Australia isn't as important in that context then. Make it the late game and we get it 5/6am in the morning here, or the early game on the program say on Saturday UK time midday, then telecasts into Australia at 10/11pm in Australia which is more than enough for a one off game each year.

Sending 2 teams to London in the middle of the season? Let’s make the Dogs one each year considering Graham has proposed it and you are endorsing it …

 

[ouwet]

On the radio news (SEN) PVL is saying Over 20,000 Aussies and 10,000 English are making the trip and a record crowd will be on hand. Let's hope so.

 

[Dogs Of War]

Sending 2 teams to London in the middle of the season? Let’s make the Dogs one each year considering Graham has proposed it and you are endorsing it …

You can ensure the teams have a bye the week after. As it's the Easter period, Dogs are already locked in. But I'm sure there are teams without traditional matches that could be used. Say a Dolphins/Titans and Sharks/Raiders. It's one of those things you can talk to NRL clubs about, and I'm sure plenty would put their hand up to be in it.

Or work out how to make a game a double header with just a standard game in a large stadium a touch later in the season before Origin so you can also promote that at the same time in England.

Or as the magic weekend is on Saturday and Sunday over there. You do a standalone event on the Friday night in the UK on the same weekend at 7:30pm. So you have all those fans in the UK getting a look at the NRL. Things that increase engagement, with a captive audience who hopefully will flock to it.

 

[Steel Saints]

You can ensure the teams have a bye the week after. As it's the Easter period, Dogs are already locked in. But I'm sure there are teams without traditional matches that could be used. Say a Dolphins/Titans and Sharks/Raiders. It's one of those things you can talk to NRL clubs about, and I'm sure plenty would put their hand up to be in it.

Or work out how to make a game a double header with just a standard game in a large stadium a touch later in the season before Origin so you can also promote that at the same time in England.

One possible way is for one Thursday night a year, schedule two games: 6pm and 8pm. Maybe the 6pm one is a NZ game. Then the two teams involved will have ten days to prepare for a game in London, the following Sunday. Have a midday kick off, which translates to 9pm here.

And the following week, both teams have the bye. It could work, but for both teams, it might disrupt their season.

 

[BuffaloRules]

You can ensure the teams have a bye the week after. As it's the Easter period, Dogs are already locked in. But I'm sure there are teams without traditional matches that could be used. Say a Dolphins/Titans and Sharks/Raiders. It's one of those things you can talk to NRL clubs about, and I'm sure plenty would put their hand up to be in it.

Or work out how to make a game a double header with just a standard game in a large stadium a touch later in the season before Origin so you can also promote that at the same time in England.

Or as the magic weekend is on Saturday and Sunday over there. You do a standalone event on the Friday night in the UK on the same weekend at 7:30pm. So you have all those fans in the UK getting a look at the NRL. Things that increase engagement, with a captive audience who hopefully will flock to it.

Even with a bye on the return it’s still a tough ask mid season … 24hr travel each way and playing a game at 5am on the body clock … I doubt clubs would be putting their hands up for that ..

play it week zero … go over a couple of weeks in advance and have both teams play a trial against an English team the week before to acclimatise better for the NRL game the following week and help: promote the game that way for the UK public …then a bye week 1 before playing Week 2

I don’t know much about UK magic round … thought it was doing ok … surely it doesn’t need a further gimmick of 2 NRL teams to have success ?

 

[Dogs Of War]

One possible way is for one Thursday night a year, schedule two games: 6pm and 8pm. Maybe the 6pm one is a NZ game. Then the two teams involved will have ten days to prepare for a game in London, the following Sunday. Have a midday kick off, which translates to 9pm here.

And the following week, both teams have the bye. It could work, but for both teams, it might disrupt their season.

Plenty of disruptions during the season. But this has more benefits with increasing our audience as we are targeting people who are already familiar with Rugby League and hopefully getting some of the curious what our version looks like.

 

[Dogs Of War]

Even with a bye on the return it’s still a tough ask mid season … 24hr travel each way and playing a game at 5am on the body clock … I doubt clubs would be putting their hands up for that ..

play it week zero … go over a couple of weeks in advance and have both teams play a trial against an English team the week before to acclimatise better for the NRL game the following week and help: promote the game that way for the UK public …then a bye week 1 before playing Week 2

I don’t know much about UK magic round … thought it was doing ok … surely it doesn’t need a further gimic of 2 NRL teams to have success ?

We have a captive market that weekend. If you want to increase rights, you do need to go the NFL path and provide that market with a game or two to improve your following.

 

[BuffaloRules]

We have a captive market that weekend. If you want to increase rights, you do need to go the NFL path and provide that market with a game or two to improve your following.

I disagree …we’ll see if it happens ….

 

[Dogs Of War]

I disagree …we’ll see if it happens ….

Well it's up to clubs. I'm sure the NRL will look at this. Might be as easy as making whomever is in the World Club challenge stay and play another NRL club the week after in that round zero window. But that might be considered too late to make that decision in the year. It's not like the UK isn't getting a game given what PVL has been spruiking. And it's one guaranteed to be a success, which is why it will happen sooner rather than later.

 

[BuffaloRules]

Well it's up to clubs. I'm sure the NRL will look at this. Might be as easy as making whomever is in the World Club challenge stay and play another NRL club the week after in that round zero window. But that might be considered too late to make that decision in the year. It's not like the UK isn't getting a game given what PVL has been spruiking. And it's one guaranteed to be a success, which is why it will happen sooner rather than later.

The spruiking I’ve heard about the game in London has been in respect of Week 0 global round ….which I think is a good idea as mentioned …

This is the first I’ve heard of playing it mid season which I think is a bit of a dud … as you said though ,..it’s up to the clubs , not us and Graham …

 

[Dogs Of War]

The spruiking I’ve heard about the game in London has been in respect of Week 0 global round ….which I think is a good idea as mentioned …

This is the first I’ve heard of playing it mid season which I think is a bit of a dud … as you said though ,..it’s up to the clubs , not us and Graham …

I think going stand alone to start the year, is putting the cart before horse. Start with tagging it into the magic round on a Friday night which is clear. Guage interest that way. Part of this is also helping the game over there. Fish where the fish are. Can be a simple add on for those attending that weekend, with tickets able to be sold outright. Got the dates wrong, it's the 4-5th of July 2026. So perfect for Origin to also be sold, and as it's England in Summer, potentially get a load of aussies coming over to enjoy some sun and an adventure. And it's at a time of year just before the 3rd state of origin. So there are byes galore at that time of year. And with some better scheduling and co-ordination with ESL, they really could make it work well.

 

[BuffaloRules]

I think going stand alone to start the year, is putting the cart before horse. Start with tagging it into the magic round on a Friday night which is clear. Guage interest that way. Part of this is also helping the game over there. Fish where the fish are. Can be a simple add on for those attending that weekend, with tickets able to be sold outright. Got the dates wrong, it's the 4-5th of July 2026. So perfect for Origin to also be sold, and as it's England in Summer, potentially get a load of aussies coming over to enjoy some sun and an adventure. And it's at a time of year just before the 3rd state of origin. So there are byes galore at that time of year. And with some better scheduling and co-ordination with ESL, they really could make it work well.

who are you promoting it to before Magic Round ? Rusted ons going to that already in town …

Anyway .: at least you guys are free now to play in it.. Hope Graham has let Gus know about his idea… he’ll love it

 

[Dogs Of War]

who are you promoting it to before Magic Round ? Rusted ons going to that already in town …

Anyway .: at least you guys are free now to play in it.. Hope Graham has let Gus know about his idea… he’ll love it

Guys who are interested in Rugby League, but don't engage with NRL as much. As well adding that event helps promote magic round itself. Having it as a stand alone night also adds to the event. Like NFL. With State of Origin in that period as well, it can be great for promoting that as well. The lead in for the 6 weeks before hand in the UK may help us get more eye balls.

As for Bulldogs, they have already put their hand up for the Dubai game.

 

[BuffaloRules]

Guys who are interested in Rugby League, but don't engage with NRL as much. As well adding that event helps promote magic round itself. Having it as a stand alone night also adds to the event. Like NFL. With State of Origin in that period as well, it can be great for promoting that as well. The lead in for the 6 weeks before hand in the UK may help us get more eye balls.

As for Bulldogs, they have already put their hand up for the Dubai game.

Gee mate … you are passionate about the idea …I’ll give you that .., I assume you aren’t really James Graham ?

Dubai would have already been played Week 0… so you can do the double ?

 

[Dogs Of War]

Gee mate … you are passionate about the idea …I’ll give you that .., I assume you aren’t really James Graham ?

Dubai would have already been played Week 0… so you can do the double ?

You're pretending that it all has to be week 1. While a better time is before Origin when loads of byes are coming up and split rounds and spur interest into Origin which is an event in itself.

If the NFL can organise these events strategically throughout their seasons, no reason why we can't.

The teams play on the Thursday/Friday the week before scheduled to go overseas, play the next week on a Friday/Saturday, and then a bye the week after. It's not rocket science and scheduled in late April, June when Origin is approaching or on it becomes another promotion of the sport itself.

I'm always keen to get the game going better. And with PVL at the helm, he sees opportunities, especially with a product like State Of Origin around which is a great promo for our sport.

 

[BuffaloRules]

You're pretending that it all has to be week 1. While a better time is before Origin when loads of byes are coming up and split rounds and spur interest into Origin which is an event in itself.

If the NFL can organise these events strategically throughout their seasons, no reason why we can't.

The teams play on the Thursday/Friday the week before scheduled to go overseas, play the next week on a Friday/Saturday, and then a bye the week after. It's not rocket science and scheduled in late April, June when Origin is approaching or on it becomes another promotion of the sport itself.

The ideas I’ve heard to date have been around having the NRL overseas games Week 1 ( Global Round) , this the first I’ve heard different

The NFL is a much shorter flights to Europe …. 7 hours from New York to London …Although they are coming to Australia this season for the first time which is still not quite as long as us going to England …

I’ll also bet the NFL game in Australia will be Week 1 when announced shortly

Edit - another thing I’ll say about the NFL games in Europe …their fans in the US absolutely loathe it