The NRL is targeting its biggest Las Vegas venture yet – with the potential to crack 50,000 fans on US soil for the first time – after locking in Canterbury, St George Illawarra, Newcastle and North Queensland to play in 2026.
The NRL confirmed the four teams, along with Super League’s Hull KR and Leeds, will kick off next season on US soil on Saturday February 28 (Sunday March 1, AEDT).
The Bulldogs and Dragons are expected to draw healthy travelling contingents from two of the game’s biggest fan bases for their season-opener.
The two Sydney outfits have agreed to share the gate from both their 2026 games, with Canterbury fielding around 8000 expressions of interest in travelling to Las Vegas when fans were polled earlier this year.
The Bulldogs now boast the strongest crowds of any club in Sydney and are averaging attendances of 35,700 after breaking the record for a regular season turnout (65,603) when they hosted South Sydney on Good Friday.
The NRL will provide direct charter flights for fans from Sydney, Newcastle and Townsville for the clashes.
Bulldogs captain Stephen Crichton.Credit: NRL Photos
“Las Vegas has become a bucket list item for not only NRL and Super League fans but for fans of world-class sport and entertainment,” NRL CEO Andrew Abdo said.
Bulldogs chief Aaron Warburton added: “Since the NRL launched this initiative, we’ve been strategically planning for the right moment to bring the Bulldogs to Las Vegas.
“With our club’s growing momentum and passionate fanbase, 2026 represents the perfect opportunity to showcase the Bulldogs on this global stage.”
More to come
