Leeds Rhinos v Hull KR in Las Vegas: all you need to know including why, where & when
It is 66 miles by road from Leeds Rhinos’ AMT Headingley Stadium to Hull KR’s home at Sewell Group Craven Park, so why on earth are two Yorkshire sides playing 5,000 miles away in Las Vegas this weekend?
It’s a fair enough question. Here’s all you need to know about the Rugby League in Las Vegas 2026.
So, why are Rhinos playing Hull KR in Las Vegas?
The southern hemisphere NRL has been taking two first round matches to Vegas since 2024 and Betfred Super League clubs were invited to take part for the first time last season, when Wigan Warriors beat Warrington Wolves. It is basically a promotional exercise to expand the NRL’s reach into a new market.
Who’s playing, other than the Super League sides?
Rhinos and Hull KR are the first part of a triple-header. Newcastle Knights face off against North Queensland Cowboys before Canterbury Bulldogs take on St George-Illawarra Dragons.
Are the games ‘friendlies’ and why Hull KR v Rhinos?
No, two competition points are up for grabs. Hull KR have given up their regular home fixture against Leeds, who applied to be their opponents and are technically the visiting side. There's no financial reward for taking part, so it is a risk and clubs hope to recoup the cost through ticket sales and merchandise.
Where and when are the matches being staged?
All three games are at Allegiant Stadium, just off the Las Vegas Strip, on Saturday afternoon/evening, local time.
Good venue, is it?
The 66,000 capacity venue took three years to build - at a cost of 1.9m dollars (£1.4b), making it one of the world’s most expensive sports grounds - and opened in 2020. It’s the home of NFL side Las Vegas Raiders, hosted the Super Bowl two years ago and is the venue for Wrestlemania 2025 and 2026. Paul McCartney, The Rollings Stones, Elton John and Taylor Swift have all played there (gigs, not rugby league). Facilities-wise, it is climate controlled and has a retractable natural grass field, 127 suites and 8,000 club seats.
But will anybody turn up to watch rugby league there?
Rhinos say roughly 6,000 of their fans will be at the games and Hull KR are expecting a similar number. Thousands are also attending from Australia. Last year’s combined attendance was 45,209, up from 40,746 in the inaugural season. The event is being promoted heavily in Las Vegas.
Are the games on TV?
Yes, all three are being televised by Sky Sports, though as Vegas is eight hours behind the UK you’ll have to stay up late. Rhinos kick off at midnight UK time, followed by the NRL matches at 2.15am and 4.30am. Last year’s Wigan v Warrington game was the most-watched Super League games in Australia and attracted Sky’s biggest audience for the competition outside the Covid-hit 2020 and 2021 seasons.
Will Rugby League be back in Las Vegas next year?
This is the third of the NRL’s five-year Vegas contract. Super League hope to take part again in 2027, with St Helens understood to be keen to stage a ‘home’ game at the event.
The Yorkshire Evening Post’s coverage of Leeds Rhinos in Las Vegas is in association with Betfred Super League. Saturday’s showdown between Rhinos and Hull KR at Allegiant Stadium is an early highlight of a packed year of club rugby league action which also includes the Challenge Cup final at Wembley on May 30, Magic Weekend’s blockbuster return to Everton FC’s Hill Dickinson Stadium on July 4-5 and the Super League Grand Final on October 3 at Old Trafford. Experience live Super League. League Hits Different. To guarantee your place, visit Super League | Tickets.