The Ultimate Guide to Rugby League in Las Vegas: NRL Stars’ Remarkable Yet ‘Overwhelming’ Day Trip to the Grand Canyon

The NRL’s reach has expanded beyond Las Vegas to the breathtaking Grand Canyon.

With just a few days remaining before this year’s rugby league spectacular at Allegiant Stadium, numerous NRL players enjoyed an unforgettable excursion to the stunning Eagle Point, situated on the border of Nevada and Arizona.

Among those participating was Raiders halfback Jamal Fogarty, who marvelled at the views from the iconic Grand Canyon Skywalk — a glass, horseshoe-shaped bridge extending beyond the canyon’s edges.

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“This is my day off. When I’m in Canberra, I love to relax and do things away from footy, so to have this experience on our day off here has worked out perfectly,” Fogarty shared with 9News.

“It’s truly a once-in-a-lifetime chance to come out here and witness this magnificent place.

“The best part? I didn’t have to fork out for it; the club arranged everything as part of a player appearance,” added Fogarty, eliciting roars of laughter from those around.

However, the Canberra playmaker confessed that standing 4000 feet above the canyon was quite a “daunting” thrill.

Who’s competing and when?

The action kicks off with the first of four games, featuring the Super League clubs Wigan Warriors and Warrington Wolves at 8:30am on Sunday (AEDT).

Following that, the Raiders will face off against the Warriors at 11am, setting the stage for Australia taking on England in a women’s Test match at 1pm.

The final showdown in the Las Vegas event will see the Panthers going head-to-head with the Sharks.

Tune in to watch the 2025 NRL premiership live and free on Nine and 9Now.

Where’s it all happening?

All four matches will unfold at Allegiant Stadium, conveniently located next to the iconic Las Vegas Strip.

This stadium boasts a capacity of 65,000 and serves as the home ground for the Las Vegas Raiders NFL team.

Allegiant Stadium recently hosted the 2024 Super Bowl, which pitted the Kansas City Chiefs against the San Francisco 49ers just weeks before the NRL’s inaugural Vegas event.

How to watch or listen?

The match between the Panthers and Sharks will air live and free on Nine and 9Now, alongside the women’s Test match featuring Australia and England.

Nine’s 2GB radio station will broadcast all four games: the Super League match, the two NRL games, and the Test match.

Team line-ups

The rosters for Wigan and Warrington are yet to be announced, but the following squads have been confirmed for the NRL and Test matches:

Raiders

1. Kaeo Weekes 2. Savelio Tamale 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Sebastian Kris 5. Xavier Savage 6. Ethan Strange 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Corey Horsburgh 9. Tom Starling 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Zac Hosking 13. Morgan Smithies 14. Owen Pattie 15. Simi Sasagi 16. Josh Papali’i 17. Ata Mariota 18. Danny Levi 19. Trey Mooney 20. Ethan Sanders 21. Chevy Stewart 22. Jed Stuart

Warriors

1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Taine Tuaupiki 3. Ali Leiataua 4. Adam Pompey 5. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita 7. Luke Metcalf 8. James Fisher-Harris 9. Wayde Egan 10. Mitch Barnett 11. Kurt Capewell 12. Marata Niukore 13. Erin Clark 14. Dylan Walker 15. Jackson Ford 16. Demitric Vaimauga 17. Leka Halasima 18. Samuel Healey 20. Te Maire Martin 21. Eddie Ieremia 22. Bunty Afoa 23. Ed Kosi

Panthers

1. Dylan Edwards 2. Casey McLean 3. Izack Tago 4. Luke Garner 5. Paul Alamoti 6. Jack Cole 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. Lindsay Smith 11. Scott Sorensen 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Daine Laurie 15. Isaiah Papali’i 16. Matt Eisenhuth 17. Luron Patea 18. Brad Schneider 19. Mavrik Geyer 20. Jesse McLean 21. Luke Sommerton 23. Blaize Talagi

Sharks

1. William Kennedy 2. Samuel Stonestreet 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Kayal Iro 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Oregon Kaufusi 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Cameron McInnes 14. Daniel Atkinson 15. Siosifa Talakai 16. Braden Hamlin-Uele 17. Thomas Hazelton 18. Tuku Hau Tapuha 19. Mawene Hiroti 20. Billy Burns 21. Jayden Berrell 22. Hohepa Puru

Australia

1. Tamika Upton 2. Jakiya Whitfeld 3. Isabelle Kelly 4. Tiana Penitani 5. Julia Robinson 6. Ali Brigginshaw 7. Tarryn Aiken 8. Shannon Mato 9. Olivia Higgins 10. Kezie Apps 11. Yasmin Clydsdale 12. Olivia Kernick 13. Simaima Taufa 14. Quincy Dodd 15. Jessica Sergis 16. Sarah Togatuki 17. Keilee Joseph 18. Lauren Brown 19. Jessika Elliston 20. Mahalia Murphy 21. Keeley Davis

England

Jas Bell (York Valkyrie), Keara Bennett (Leeds Rhinos), Jodie Cunningham (St Helens), Georgie Dagger (York Valkyrie), Anna Davies (Wigan Warriors), Hollie-Mae Dodd (Canberra Raiders), Jenna Foubister (Wigan Warriors), Amy Hardcastle (St Helens), Zoe Harris (St Helens), Shona Hoyle (St Helens), Katie Mottershead (St Helens), Izzy Northrop (Leeds Rhinos), Eboni Partington (York Valkyrie), Tamzin Renouf (York Valkyrie), Georgia Roche (Newcastle Knights), Erin Stott (St Helens), Bella Sykes (Leeds Rhinos), Paige Travis (Parramatta Eels), Vicky Whitfield (St Helens), Liv Wood (York Valkyrie)

What entertainment is lined up?

Thursday (AEDT)

Nines tournament

New Silver Bowl Park, 8am to 5pm, free entry.

Twelve women’s teams and 22 men’s teams from the US, Canada, and Australia will kick off the Vegas Nines festival.

Fan hub

Redtail @ Resorts World, 10am to 4pm, free entry. Expect prize giveaways, a live DJ, and photo moments with team mascots, plus…

10am-11am: Team signing and Q&A session with the Warrington Wolves.

10:30am-11:30am: Team signing and Q&A session with the Penrith Panthers.

1:00pm-2:00pm: Team signing and Q&A session with the England women’s team.

2:00pm-3:00pm: Team signing and Q&A session with the New Zealand Warriors.

2:30pm-3:30pm: Team signing and Q&A session with the Cronulla Sharks.

3:00pm-4:00pm: Team signing and Q&A session with the Canberra Raiders.

Fan fest

3rd St Stage, Fremont St, 5pm to 10pm, free entry.

5:30pm: Kick-off of formalities.

6:00pm: Presentation for Super League | Wigan Warriors vs Warrington Wolves.

6:30pm: Presentation for NRL | Canberra Raiders vs New Zealand Warriors.

7:00pm: Presentation for Australia vs England women’s Test match.

7:30pm: Presentation for NRL | Penrith Panthers vs Cronulla Sharks.

8:00pm: Live entertainment.

Additionally, there will be Q&A sessions featuring NRL and Super League legends, including Mal Meninga, Jarrod Croker, and Denis Betts.

Friday

Nines tournament

Silver Bowl Park, 8am to 5pm, free entry.

Competing teams will battle for the Vegas Nines title.

Talent combine

Silver Bowl Park, 3pm to 6pm, free entry.

Elite athletes from across the continent will undergo various field tests for a chance to secure an NRL or NRLW contract.

Fan hub

Redtail @ Resorts World, 11am to 4pm, free entry.

Prize giveaways, live DJ, and more…

11:00am-12:00pm: Team signing and Q&A with the Australian women’s team.

12:30pm-1:00pm: Q&A with Petero Civoniceva.

1:00pm-3:00pm: A Polynesian takeover featuring cultural performances and musical acts.

Saturday

Game-day fan zone

Allegiant Stadium, 12:30pm to 8pm, included with game-day ticket purchase.