The Las Vegas Thread

[ash the bash]

Way ahead of last year on ticket sales, going to be a great day
I can't go next year but planning on going again in 26

 

[Wb1234]

 

[Matt_CBY]

Advertising during another event is not hijacking.

Otherwise UFC & Boxingnhave been hijacking Rugby League for years.

 

[nko11]

Video can be found here

Advertising in Fremont Street, Allegiant Stadium and Resorts World. Guessing they're going for a big push for ticket sales this weekend, hence the release of 322, 323 and now 324 - cheaper bays. Good sign that they've taken lessons from last year in terms of marketing.

They also mentioned that 'close to' 30k tickets have already been sold. Not sure if that gives any further information, or if it's just recycling the 28k figure from a few months ago.

 

[yakstorm]

Full story for those interested:

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.”

 

[Burns]

SMH also reporting close to 30,000 sold. Which at this point, seems pretty good?

 

[yakstorm]

SMH also reporting close to 30,000 sold. Which at this point, seems pretty good?

It's definitely a solid result, especially when you throw in that ticket prices have increased & the NRL has so far spent a lot less on promotion.

Assuming that the event sold similar to last year over the December - March window, we'd be looking at around 50K for game day.

NRL has a few new strategies they are trying this time around, such as sponsoring the F1s, so will be interesting to see if they move the needle.

For me the most encouraging sign is the fact we're selling into sections of the stadium that just weren't opened up last year. This time last year the NRL was taking bays off sale & selling every second row in many bays just to try and fill the TV arc.