Eyes wider than the nearby Grand Canyon, two local Las Vegas dads with their nine-year-old sons found themselves amongst the chanting, singing and cheering throng of NRL and Super League fans at Allegiant Stadium.
Stories about crazy supporters at foreign football codes had kept their interest down when the NRL visited Las Vegas a year ago and so it was with some trepidation they found themselves amongst fans wearing jerseys representing not just the eight teams on the trip, but others not here as well.
Within moments, youngsters Landon and Maxwell were having the time of their lives, especially when featured on the big screen and their dads were wondering why they were ever worried.
A very special Viking clap
“Does it get rowdy, yes, but it’s not rowdy crazy, it’s rowdy passion for the sport and there is a big difference. Now I have no worries bringing my son here, it is so family friendly… definitely not just for diehards,” Scott Morgan, father of Landon said.
“I love it. I hope it grows, honestly, because I like the energy. It is hard not to be engaged just because of that energy but also the traveling fans are super kind.
"They can see we don’t know much about the game and when they overhear us trying to figure it out, they’ve leaned back and were helping us - selling it to us in such a friendly way. The comradery amongst the fan groups is so great.”
Rugby league fans take a bow. That’s what Rugby League in Las Vegas is all about. If the NRL is going to find a way into the American consciousness, it’s going to take us all.
“It’s cool for us non-rugby league fans coming into an experience like this and learning the sport as we go,” Lucas Verbish said before son Maxwell, grinning ear-to-ear next to him, interrupted.
“I go for the (Golden State) Warriors in basketball, so it was super great to go for the Warriors here and they won the first game (Wigan) but now that green team (Canberra Raiders) are so good (against the New Zealand Warriors).
"That guy with the long hair (Josh Papalii) is so, so tough!”
Hearing the joy in Maxwell and Landon’s voices at what they were witnessing gives hope that the NRL can rise above what critics often try to squash when it comes to attacking the American market.
Yes, it’s a hard sell. But if you can just get them to the game, the product, and in this case the accommodating fans, can certainly be sold.
By any measure, this season’s sojourn to Vegas has bettered the last – which a year ago also bested my expectations exponentially.
With over 16 years covering the biggest sports here in the USA under my belt it remains an emotional journey seeing rugby league on this stage. And I firmly believe America can learn to love it, and their athletes can thrive in it.
From two games to four, the crowd of 45,209 bettered the 2024 attendance. We saw a Super League game and the first women’s sporting contest ever on this US$1.9billion entertainment space that is home to the Las Vegas Raiders.
The telecast was on Fox in the United States, adding millions of potential new viewers. Global sponsors Red Bull and JD Sports were added to the mix. We saw two men and two women gain contracts in Australia via the NRL Combine and a successful Nines tournament was held in the Vegas suburbs.
The travelling Wigan and Warrington fans created the early noise on Saturday night. The Warriors fans continued it even when being battered by the Raiders, refusing to lose their fervour for the occasion. And insiders at the stadium said it was their best ever night of beer sales, smashing what is usually consumed at Raiders or UNLV Rebels games.
By the time the Panthers had finished off their opening win in their chase for five straight NRL titles more locals were hooked.
Lorri Holloman started the evening flinching in fear for the players safety as she watched each run. A regular Las Vegas Raiders fan, Holloman is used to seeing contact come with the protective gear and helmets synonymous with the NFL.
“This is exciting, amazing, incredible, it is non-stop action," she said. "They are not padded up which surprised me a lot. I was so worried about them being hurt in those collisions, but they clearly weren’t and just got up and kept it moving. It is just awesome. I think they have different heads Down Under."
Not long after her observation Jillaroos enforcer - and viral breakdance sensation - Sarah Togatuki clashed with England’s Vicky Whitfield in a colossal hit that shook the stadium and sent them both out of their Test Match.
“I think every Vegas Raiders fan would find this intensity worth watching,” Holloman added. “It’s massive.”
The muscle game wasn’t lost on another nearby resident who should know what it takes to compete at the highest levels.
“The power of the hits are unbelievable … there is no way I would do this. It is just a different level of athletic ability,” former University of Iowa college football player and UNLV Football Foundation director Tom Wagner mused.
“I love it. I am just amazed by the athletic ability and the energy in the stadium. The fans are just one of a kind and very nice people. I’m 100% going to follow up on the sport when it comes back – I won’t miss this again.”
The NRL in Las Vegas is already a ritual for Melissa Cadena who was celebrating her birthday with friends at the stadium, just as she had a year earlier.
As a Canberra attacking effort went to the bunker for replay review, Cadena and her two friends Stacie Lanza and Jenny Patterson tried to figure out what the result would be despite having an extremely limited knowledge of the rules.
“Wait! Blocking! They can’t do that,” Cadena shouted impressing everyone around her. She was right. The try was wiped off for obstruction.
“I think this is an amazing game. It is action-packed and it has all these fans who are rooting for the players with such passion but also with such a healthy attitude to each other,” Cadena continued
The ladies had a different take on the classic “no pads or helmets” marketing push.
“It’s just nice to be able to see the players in their short shorts and tight uniforms – you can’t see the American football players under all their gear,” they said with a cheeky grin.
“It’s all just so intense – like a cross between football and soccer and it’s just aggressive and we love that.”
The trio of women vowed to recruit more friends and locals for 2026.
The progression continues. Viva Las Vegas.
