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The NRL has taken on one of the biggest sporting events in the world, crashing Formula One’s Las Vegas street party to promote its own event in Sin City.
The NRL is ready to hijack this weekend’s Las Vegas Formula One with an advertising blitz aimed at firing up local and global interest in next year’s season opener.
It can be revealed that advertising for next year’s rugby league extravaganza will be showcased on some of the most iconic venues in Sin City including Allegiant Stadium and Fremont Street
The NRL also plans to advertise on the facade of Resorts World, the towering hotel where the teams will be based while in Vegas.
“We’re all set to launch the NRL and NRLW draws tomorrow for the 2025 season,” NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo said.
“The season will again kick off in Las Vegas where the game will be showcased to a global audience in the US sports and entertainment capital.”
The Las Vegas Formula One is expected to attract a crowd of more 300,000 fans, giving the NRL exposure to a massive audience in preparation for next season.
This year’s inaugural trip Vegas expedition was hailed as success by NRL officials but they want to step it up a notch next year, having shown their hand by expanding the concept to include a Super League game and a women’s Test match.
The hope is that the concept can be bigger and better the second time around. The four NRL clubs involved – Canberra and the New Zealand Warriors, and Penrith and Cronulla – have already begun planning for the event with three of the four teams to base themselves wholly and soul in Las Vegas.
The Sharks will follow the lead of the Sydney Roosters last year by spending some time in Los Angeles before moving to Vegas in the leap to their game.
This year’s double header at Allegiant Stadium attracted a crowd of more than 40,000 and the NRL wants to exceed that the second time round. Hence the plan to tap into the crowd at the Formula One Grand Prix by advertising at some famed location in Sin City.
The Las Vegas frenzy has already begun, with close to 30,000 tickets already sold for the event.
It is understood the advertising will feature a Steeden ball with the catch cry: “Rugby league lands here March 1.”