Las Vegas does everything on an extra-large scale — oversized buffets, towering hotels and bright neon. This time rugby league matched that swagger, turning Fremont Street into a rugby carnival.
I was warned the Thursday event would be a highlight as each of the six teams walked the red carpet and took the stage. What I hadn’t pictured were 16,000 fans packed into the plaza, NRL stars doing the Dougie, and Andy Bell from Erasure performing live.
The crowd was largely a sea of Hull KR and Leeds Rhinos supporters with a smattering of NRL fans. As Sky Sports Rugby League’s Barrie McDermott put it on stage: “We don’t come to take part, we come to take over.” They did exactly that.
Leeds arrived in American-style bomber jackets in club colours. Captain Ash Handley grabbed the mic to thank the fans, and Ryan Hall — adored by both Rhinos and Robins — prompted one of the loudest cheers with a spirited singalong of “Marching on Together.” The players then threaded through the crowd signing autographs and posing for photos.
Hull KR made a lengthy, joyous procession down the red carpet to Erasure’s “A Little Respect,” stopping for fans at every step. Captain Elliot Minchella carried the World Club Challenge trophy and the team sported red bomber jackets with plenty of personality — Joe Burgess added a very large gold chain and sunglasses. Coach Willie Peters and Mikey Lewis chatted and danced on stage before Minchella introduced their self-styled “19th man,” Andy Bell. Bell’s live performance of the song — embraced by Robins fans for years — landed perfectly among 16,000 voices and felt genuinely moving.
The NRL sides followed with an energetic mix of dance battles, team songs, bold moves and even a backflip. For the night the players were the celebrities and Las Vegas watched. For a sport that often struggles for attention in the city, Super League didn’t just appear — it dominated the space.
2026 Super League – key dates and what to watch
– Rugby League in Las Vegas: Sat Feb 28 — Hull KR vs Leeds Rhinos, 11:00pm (Sky Sports)
– Super League’s 30th birthday: Thu Mar 26 — Castleford Tigers vs Bradford Bulls, 8:00pm (Sky Sports)
– Rivals Round: Apr 3–5
– Super League in Paris: Sat Jun 6 — Catalans Dragons vs Wigan Warriors, 6:30pm UK (Sky Sports)
– Magic Weekend: Jul 4–5
– Rivals Round (reversed fixtures): Jul 23–26
– Elimination Play-offs: Sep 19–20
– Play-off semi-finals: Sep 26–27
– Grand Final: Oct 3 — Old Trafford
Sky Sports will again show every Super League game live this season, with two matches each round broadcast exclusively and the remainder available via Sky Sports+.