NRL Teams Arrive in Las Vegas for Historic Season Opener
The Canterbury Bulldogs have arrived in Las Vegas ahead of their highly anticipated season-opening clash against the St George Illawarra Dragons, immersing themselves in the sights and sounds of Sin City. Simultaneously, the Newcastle Knights landed in Nevada over the weekend, with players spotted taking photographs outside Caesars Palace on Saturday night as they prepare for their upcoming match against the North Queensland Cowboys next Sunday.
Bulldogs' Lavish Night Out at The Sphere
As rugby league takes centre stage in Vegas this week, the Canterbury Bulldogs embarked on what promises to be an unforgettable evening. The players and staff visited The Sphere to watch the iconic band The Eagles perform. According to reports from The Daily Telegraph, club executives were determined to "make this a trip to remember" and allocated funds from the club's budget to purchase tickets for the entire team and staff members.
Tickets for the concert were notably expensive, with the Bulldogs' stars enjoying premium seats in the lower tier of the 20,000-capacity venue. It is estimated that approximately 40 players and staff have travelled to Las Vegas for the match, with the club reportedly spending nearly $20,000 on tickets, each costing around $700 individually.
Players including Lachlan Galvin, Sitili Tupouniua, and Viliame Kikau shared moments from the concert on their Instagram stories, highlighting the stunning visual projections on The Sphere's internal display during the performance.
Extended Travel and Club Popularity
In addition to the playing group, it is believed that an extra 85 members of Canterbury's staff have journeyed to the United States for the match. All staff associated with the football club were reportedly invited to participate in the week-long extravaganza, with the Bulldogs covering their travel expenses. Furthermore, The Daily Telegraph indicates that the club offered players and staff the opportunity to bring extended family members to Las Vegas for the event.
The Canterbury Bulldogs are currently emerging as one of the most attractive destinations for players in the NRL. Last season, they secured Lachlan Galvin from the Tigers, while star player Stephen Crichton signed a new contract at the end of 2025. Following a defeat by the Penrith Panthers in last year's NRL semi-finals, coach Cameron Ciraldo and football manager Phil Gould are focused on improving their performance in the 2025 season, starting with a strong showing against the Dragons in Vegas.
Knights Explore the Las Vegas Strip
The Newcastle Knights, who are set to face the North Queensland Cowboys next week, have also been exploring the top attractions along the Las Vegas Strip. According to The Australian, the team arrived in Vegas 24 hours ago and enjoyed a team dinner at Stanton Social, an Italian restaurant located inside Caesars Palace.
Player Dylan Brown commented, "We've been hanging out, a few dinners, a few lunches, looking around and seeing the place. We walked up and down the Strip. It's pretty nice. It's a good place to be." The Knights are scheduled to begin their pre-match preparations in the coming days, with a training session planned at the UFC gym in Vegas on Monday.
Player Reflections and Fan Appreciation
Knights player Kalyn Ponga reflected on the significance of the trip, stating, "For our fans, from a small country town, to have their team over here representing them and all of Newcastle is a massive thing. For us as players, I think it's important to understand that and respect this moment."
Ponga added, "But we also have to remember that not every dedicated Knights fan can be there, there will be thousands watching us play from back home wishing they could be there, so it's also important for us to remember that, too. For the fans that are over here, there is no doubt they'll get around the whole experience and I can't wait to hear the Newcastle chant at Allegiant Stadium."
The Bulldogs will compete against St George Illawarra on Sunday at Allegiant Stadium, while the Knights will play the North Queensland Cowboys in what marks a historic expansion of the NRL into the American market.
