Las Vegas will see a $100 million economic boost this week as the NRL brings its season opener, drawing Australian, New Zealand and Brits travellers to Sin City.
The 2025 opener is set to surpass last year’s $77 million cash injection, helping drive hotel occupancy and hospitality spending as well as reinforcing the city’s appeal as a premier destination for international sports tourism.
The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) has been so pleased with the event that talks are already underway to extend the NRL’s contract past its current 2028 end date.
The event is set to draw around 20,000 Australians, 10,000 British fans and 8,000 New Zealanders to the famed Vegas Strip. Increased travel demand has led to a rise in airline bookings and accommodations, with hospitality venues and entertainment precincts reporting strong engagement from rugby league visitors.
“It’s already been a success,’’ ARL Commission chairman Peter V’landys said of the event in The Daily Telegraph. “(But) there are various forms of revenue we can generate for the game. One is promoting the game (in America) on watchnrl.com.
“The season-opener has become an event. Not only here … but in Australia. We are celebrating the opening round of the NRL which we never used to do before.”
