The Wests Tigers are going to Las Vegas.
“This is much better than having a bye in the first round, that’s for sure,” quipped interim Tigers chief executive Shaun Mielekamp.
The NRL has confirmed the clashes for its 2027 season-opening matches at Allegiant Stadium, which will take place on Sunday, February 28 (AEDT): the Tigers will take on Melbourne, while Parramatta will do battle with the Gold Coast. A clash between English Super League clubs Bradford Bulls and Leigh Leopards will round out the triple-header.
The Dolphins were the unlucky team to miss out, but will have the opportunity to experience Las Vegas in 2028.
The Tigers’ participation comes after a change of heart from club management. It appeared the joint-venture’s players and fans wouldn’t require their passports after the previous chief executive, Shane Richardson, made it clear they wouldn’t take part on his watch.
“Las Vegas was a f—ing disaster, and it was a party trip for everybody; I don’t want to go,” Richardson told the AFR in 2024. “I’m all about rugby league and … those little Christmas cakes don’t make any difference to the game at all.”
However, Richardson’s departure last year has paved the way for a change of tack.
“For us, Vegas has been a bit of a journey,” Mielekamp said. “For me personally, I need to give credit to the board and the whole Holman Barnes Group for backing us financially, because it costs money to go to Vegas. Without their support we wouldn’t have gone.
“It just shows the aspiration of the club. It’s a great time for us to show we’re a club moving forward. We weren’t ready the last few seasons, but the back of house is going pretty good, the roster is nice and solid and [coach] Benji [Marshall] is established now.
“It’s a good sign we’re moving forward … We want to be part of big matches, we want to be part of the big show. This gives us a platform for that.”
Parramatta also felt its football program was sufficiently mature to be part of the Vegas experience in its fourth iteration.
“It’s an opportunity to create a different experience and point of connection for everyone associated with the club and those who come along on the trip,” said Eels chief executive Jim Sarantinos.
“It’s an amazing opportunity to play on that stage. In having spoken to other clubs, it’s an opportunity to bring you closer together – your sponsors, members and fans. There are often fond memories from being on away trips together. This is the ultimate away trip.”
The Eels traditionally open their season against a Melbourne outfit that hasn’t lost a round-one game in 25 years. That challenge now lies with the Tigers.
“Someone has to break the Melbourne Storm round one hoodoo,” Mielekamp said. “Why not us?”
The NRL has officially launched special travel packages, featuring direct charter flights travelling from three Australian states, from 8am on Wednesday.
Four direct NRL charter flights — two from Sydney and one each from Brisbane and Melbourne — will fly directly to Las Vegas, each themed to participating clubs. The all-inclusive packages are the only way to secure tickets for the 2027 games for an exclusive three-week window via TripADeal at vegastravel.nrl.com
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