Footy supremo confesses that the NRL made a BIG mistake with its Las Vegas extravaganza – as move that shocked fans is revealed

NRL supremo Peter V’landys has admitted that the league ‘probably’ made a mistake by scheduling four games in a single day for the Las Vegas extravaganza.

He said that the decision to host a 10-hour marathon of footy left many fans feeling exhausted and in need of a break.

V’landys revealed that next year’s plan will likely be condensed to three matches, with two NRL games and one English Super League clash.

He observed that ‘four games was probably too much,’ and that the long day had contributed to a noticeable number of empty seats during the final match between Penrith and Cronulla.

‘I think we’ll go back to three games. I think four was too long.’ he said.

V’landys also acknowledged the shock move of having ‘no passouts,’ indicating that fans were not permitted to re-enter the venue once they left.

ARL chairman Peter V’landys wants to see changes to the Vegas timetable for 2026

While there were still plenty of fans in the stands for the final game, there were also lots of empty seats as Penrith beat Cronulla

The match between the Raiders and Warriors was followed by an English Super League match and a Jillaroos international

He believes that this restriction, combined with the extended schedule, caused some supporters to miss the last game.

NRL CEO Andrew Abdo supported V’landys’s outlook, stating it had been a ‘great festival’ but still deserving of review.

Both leaders said that any changes to next year’s program aim to improve the overall match-day experience.

They also confirmed that the Jillaroos, who recently thrashed England’s Lionesses 90-4, would likely miss the 2026 Las Vegas opener to help streamline the event.

V’landys insisted, ‘I’m the biggest supporter of the women’s game, so I don’t want to discount them,’ yet the sheer dominance of Australia in the international arena created a one-sided contest.

He said, ‘Australia were just too strong,’ highlighting the professional standards of the NRLW compared to other nations’ competitions.

These factors led officials to reconsider how best to showcase the women’s game without sacrificing audience engagement.

Abdo added, ‘International football for the women’s game is important and we need to think about how we help other countries with their development and growth.’

The Jillaroos game looks the most likely to be scrapped after the lop-sided win over England

The NRL has committed to the long-term to host football at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas

Abdo reiterated that the NRL would conduct a thorough review and ‘get feedback from our customers and partners.’

V’landys noted that the second year of this Las Vegas experiment was ‘a real learning curve,’ acknowledging the unexpected challenges of pioneering rugby league in the United States.

He said, ‘I learned a lot more this time than I did the first occasion because we were in with the unexpected in the first year.’

He emphasised that ‘as passionate as I am about rugby league, it’s still a very long day’ to watch four matches in succession.

The footy boss stressed the importance of keeping spectators in their seats for the entirety of the event.

He believes a more compact schedule will retain fans’ attention and ultimately strengthen the sport’s appeal in America.

V’landys confirmed that the NRL is firmly committed to the American venture, declaring, ‘I’m more confident than ever that we’ll be in America for the long-term, absolutely.’

He stated, ‘It will just grow and grow,’ pointing to the Las Vegas tourist bureau’s request for the league to extend its contract.

According to V’landys, the city now recognises the NRL as a major event that drives significant economic benefits, estimated at $100 million in stimulus.

He compared rugby league favourably to American sports, noting that the NRL offers a fast-paced game with minimal stoppages.

He said, ‘What they like about rugby league is it’s fast, entertaining, consistent action.’