Las Vegas: Everywhere you looked around the Death Star — the nickname of Las Vegas’ 65,000-seat Allegiant Stadium — it wasn’t hard to find examples of why the NRL’s ambitious decision to open the 2024 season in a foreign land had been a success.

Just before kick-off in the first match between Manly and South Sydney, fans of all four participating clubs filled the first two levels of the stadium which only three weeks ago hosted the NFL’s Super Bowl between the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers.

Down at the Wynn Field Club at ground level, which borders the northern end zone, ghosts of rugby league’s past filled booths with black-leather seats and table service that only a few weeks ago hosted the likes of the Red Hot Chilli Peppers.

Former ARL chief executive Geoff Carr — one of the few genuine rugby league people still standing — stood on his own before kick-off, surveying the scene, and almost seemed overwhelmed.

“I’ll wait until the games are over before I make judgement,” Carr said. “But I’d never thought I’d see something like this.”

Outside the ground, Nevada Commission on Tourism boss Lisa Motley was high-fiving Australians she had never met. The deal struck with the NRL lasts five years and is worth $1.25 million, but Motley is already talking about an extension.

Manly and South Sydney kick off the historic double-header at Allegiant Stadium.Credit: NRL Photos

For a greater understanding about what the NRL achieved on Sunday (AEDT) with its ambitious season-opening double-header, you needed to look up at the private suites, which are usually occupied on game day by the families of the quarterback and other star players.

On this night, though, one of the suites belonged to Brisbane Broncos diehard and News Corp chairman Lachlan Murdoch. Sitting next to him was James Packer, a former Rooster director but now Souths part-owner.

QOSHE - The force is with V’landys on Vegas debut ... but will NRL hit the jackpot? - Andrew Webster
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The force is with V’landys on Vegas debut ... but will NRL hit the jackpot?

10 1
03.03.2024

Las Vegas: Everywhere you looked around the Death Star — the nickname of Las Vegas’ 65,000-seat Allegiant Stadium — it wasn’t hard to find examples of why the NRL’s ambitious decision to open the 2024 season in a foreign land had been a success.

Just before kick-off in the first match between Manly and South Sydney, fans of all four participating clubs filled the first two levels of the stadium which only three weeks ago hosted the NFL’s Super Bowl between the........

© The Sydney Morning Herald


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