Nathan Cleary has been to Las Vegas to watch the UFC and ice hockey, but says he will be living out a childhood dream of playing in the US with Penrith as part of the main act at Allegiant Stadium next year.
The NRL on Tuesday confirmed the Panthers and Cronulla Sharks will cap a four-match schedule, which also includes a Super League game between Wigan and Sam Burgess’ Warrington, and a women’s Test between Australia and England. The Raiders will also host the New Zealand Warriors.
Cleary was envious when he watched the Sydney Roosters, Brisbane, South Sydney and Manly take part in the inaugural Vegas venture at the start of this year.
One of his career highlights is playing a Test at Old Trafford, the home of his Premier League team Manchester United, but was speechless when told the Panthers would head to the US.
“To think back when I first started playing in the NRL, taking a game to the US would have been such a foreign thing,” Cleary told this masthead.
“I’m a big American sports fan, and to now play at the same stadium where NFL teams play, and getting to tap into a new audience, it’s a really cool thing.”
Vegas bound: Panthers halfback Nathan Cleary.Credit: Oscar Colman
Cleary is a Philadelphia Eagles and 76ers fan because he used to idolise NFL and NBA stars Michael Vick and Allen Iverson.
Cleary and Nicho Hynes are two of the most marketable names in the NRL, and it is fitting they will feature in the final game of the Vegas quadruple-header.
Wigan and Warrington will kickstart proceedings at 1.30pm local time, or 8.30am in Australia, followed by the Raiders and Warriors, the Jillaroos and Lionesses, and the Panthers-Sharks clash at 3.30pm AEDT.
This masthead first flagged the NRL’s plans of including a Super League game in May. More than 1000 fans from England attended the double-header in Vegas, and the NRL hope that number will skyrocket if two local teams were added to the 2025 program.
The NRL learned a lot from their first trip to the US, and even dedicated a full-time employee to ensuring next year’s second edition runs smoothly.
Where the NRL teams will be based is still being finalised, as is the venue and date for the World Club Challenge.
“Las Vegas 2025 will be a bigger, bolder and better festival of rugby league,” NRL CEO Andrew Abdo said.
“The 2025 Las Vegas event will feature two highly anticipated NRL premiership matches to open the season, the 2024 UK Challenge Cup finalists, Wigan and Warrington, and a Test match showcasing some of the most elite women’s players from both hemispheres.
“We’ve given fans the opportunity to plan early and take advantage of the Las Vegas festival experience – a true bucket list item for all rugby league and sports fans.”
Travel packages are available while tickets to the general public will go on sale from July 26.
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