Well, it’s been some time since my last TCT article and after significant pressure from TCT Corporate Office (namely joint CEO’s Sixties and Forties), I have decided to exit my self-imposed hibernation and see if my typing fingers still work (spoiler… the answer to that question is yes, but barely).
Each year, the NRL announces the teams participating in their season opening event in Las Vegas around Magic Round. As of 2026, 12 teams have started their season in Vegas, with 5 clubs remaining (6 if you count the Perth Bears). By process of elimination, coupled with several media reports, the hot tip for 2027 is that our beloved Parramatta Eels will participate in the annual NRL Vegas spectacular.
As many of our loyal listeners & readers will know, I have taken up a role as the unofficial foreign correspondent of TCT’s media conglomerate. Having been based overseas for the last decade, splitting my time between the US and Europe, I find myself missing high level rugby league like a thirsty man misses water in the desert. Although I miss the week to week thrill of sitting in the crowd, one benefit of living a full day’s travel from my homeland is that I have been able to go to all three editions of NRL Vegas to date, treating Allegiant Stadium as my adopted NRL home ground (The 4 hour flight from Chicago isn’t quite the same as the 10 minute drive I used to have to Parramatta Stadium, but we make do with what we have).
Schedule for the week
This changes each year but based on previous years, here is a guide to the kind of official events and timing you can expect:
- Wednesday: Approx 7pm NRL 360 & Matty Johns show (filmed at either Resorts World or Fremont Street)
- Thursday: Signing session at Resorts World in early afternoon, Matty Johns Show & NRL 360 mid afternoon, Fan fest at Fremont Street usually starting at around 6pm
- Friday: Matty Johns Show & NRL 360
Further to this, in the first three years there have been several other events which are not necessarily part of the official NRL schedule:
- Vegas 9’s: Played at a local park at the top of the strip from Wednesday to Friday, this one is a bit of fun, and you’ll usually see some former players mingling around the grounds in their role as ambassadors
- International Rugby League: Played on Friday night between the US national team and rotating opposition (teams like Canada and Greece have gotten a run). This one is a bit out of town and the standard is not great, so definitely only recommended for absolute tragics of the game
- NRL Las Vegas Facebook page: With 15,000 members, this is a must for those thinking of going to Vegas next year. In this page you’ll find a lot of information about the 2027 schedule, as well as details of numerous independently organized events for league fans. These include pre-arranged meet ups at pubs like the Tilted Kilt or Blondie’s, as well as an organized pool party at Stadium Swim which occurred on the Thursday afternoon prior to the 2026 games.
Accommodation Options
There are an enormous number of options for accommodation during your Vegas stay. Vegas is an expensive city, but it is not impossible to do it in a cost-effective way.
The famous resorts on the strip all tend to be expensive by Australian standards. Allegiant Stadium (where the games are played), is at the top of the strip. A lot of the fan activities tend to be further down the strip or in downtown/old Vegas. Here are a few options to meet your needs:
- Mandalay Bay: A short walk from the stadium, this is an ideal location on game day. Prices aren’t terrible compared to other options on the strip, but still won’t be cheap.
- Resorts World: This is the best option if you want to meet the players. Again, fairly expensive, but centrally located on the strip and convenient if you want to walk around. The players usually stay here, so that might be worth the price of admission alone.
- Wynn/Venetian/Caesar’s Palace: If you are willing to go all out, or are a fan of ‘The Hangover,’ these will be for you. Premium hotels with great restaurants, but not for the budget conscious.
- MGM Grand/Luxor: These are among some of the other perfectly serviceable hotels on the strip which are slightly more budget friendly than the options mentioned above
- Old Vegas: This is a fun part of the town and my personal preference for where to stay. The range in choice is significant, from Circa at the high end, to venues like the Golden Nugget. This area has the widest variety for those seeking a cost-friendly option, coupled with a fun atmosphere. Downtown/Old Vegas was the main part of the city before the strip was built and is a vibrant area with lots to do.
- Staying off the strip: There are AirBnB choices and other cheaper hotels not on the strip or in the downtown area. Just know that public transport isn’t great, and the money you have saved on accommodation can be quickly eaten up with Uber charges. My recommendation for this is that if you want to come to Vegas, do it properly and stay somewhere near the action. There should be plenty of cost effective options to suit your needs in Old Vegas.
Food & Entertainment
There are going to be lots of entertainment options for the time you are there. From comedy shows, to music residencies, to Cirque Du Soleil… there are plenty of options for high end entertainment options. If you like street entertainment, Fremont street has a number of bands that perform in the area which are free to watch. If the games are played in the first weekend of March as they have been in previous years, Metallica are playing at the Sphere in the days before.
From a food perspective, the US is known for its ‘generous’ serving sizes. The food is plentiful and there’s several good options. From slices of pizza at local vendors, to Michelin Star restaurants, there are options at both ends of the cost scale. If you are feeling particularly adventurous, the aptly named ‘Heart Attack Grill’ can be found in Old Vegas. This could be a good place to eat if you want to get so full that you may never need to eat again.
For those who like to throw a few adult beverages back, here are some cost saving suggestions. Drinking in Vegas can be very expensive, but it doesn’t have to be. A couple of sure-fire ways to save money on alcohol in Vegas are; 1) While you are in a casino and playing at the tables or the poker machines, waiters will bring you drinks for free. If you can find a place with a low minimum bet, you can get a nice glow on at a pretty limited cost. 2) There are several convenience stores both on the strip and in downtown Vegas. The cost of alcohol in these stores is about half of what you would pay in the resorts or at the bars. My recommendation is to buy some there for your room and have a couple of warm up beverages before heading out.
Game Day Experience
If you are struggling after a few heavy days in Vegas, then the game day experience will pick you up. Before the game there are always supporter group meet ups planned in various bars around the city. My recommendation would be to find a Parramatta one and enjoy mingling with other excited Eels games before the game. From there, it makes sense to find your way to Mandalay Bay and check out the atmosphere inside before the game. This year, we were treated to dueling chants from the Leeds and Hull KR fans who lined up across from each other inside the casino and proceeded to sing at each other for around 30 minutes. If history repeats, it would be well worth checking out and a completely different type of fandom to the way that Australian fans would usually express themselves.
From Mandalay Bay, it is a 10 minute walk to the ground. On this walk, you’ll be surrounded by league fans and my advice is to soak it up. As you walk over the bridge, you’ll see Allegiant Stadium. Take it in, because it is worth the price of admission. It’s a state of the art stadium which is in line with global best practice. My recommendation is to get there for all of the games, the Super League game specifically is a unique experience. The organized singing and chanting from the British fans is an interesting contrast to NRL fans.
Inside the stadium it’s like being in another world. The domed stadium means you are secure from the elements, and the still and dry environment is perfect for rugby league. One watchout, be prepared for outrageous food and drink prices. A large beer at the ground will set you back close to $25 AUD (subject to exchange rate), so if you are on a budget it might be prudent to eat and drink before going into the ground.
There are a few merchandise stands around the ground, but the lines are ridiculously long on game day. You can mitigate this by buying your merch at the pop up stalls on Fremont Street or at Resorts World in the lead up to game day.
Do’s and Do Not’s
- Do: Bring your best Parramatta jersey to wear on game day and ensure the rest of your suitcase is decked out in blue and gold. One of the greatest experiences I have had as a long term expat is walking around a foreign city and seeing a sea of footy jerseys. NRL, UK Super League, NSWRL, defunct clubs, Origin, international and even the odd BRL jersey, you’ll see it all over there. Vegas is similar to Magic Round in that it’s a fashion show for league fans. Seeing someone in an interesting jersey or even just a fellow Parramatta tragic decked out in blue and gold is a sure-fire conversation starter.
- Don’t: Be wary of anyone who walks up to you and asks to take a photo with you. I have never had any safety concerns while in Vegas but there are plenty of people hustling to make a living there. You’ll see all manner of strangely dressed individuals along the strip who will try and take photos with you. Once they take the photo, they’ll ask you for money. It’s an old trick but one to be aware of.
- Do: Be prepared to chat people from all walks of life. This might include fans of opposing Australian teams, fans from the UK, or even interested Americans who are curious about the hordes of Australians that have descended on the city. Part of the fun of the weekend is that it’s a festival of rugby league, and that everyone is there for a good time.
- Don’t: Don’t use a travel agency and book a package, unless convenience is all you care about and money is no obstacle. It’s not a difficult process to book all aspects of the trip independently and you can save a significant amount of money.
- Do: Feel free to tell everyone back home about your experience. There is an old saying that ‘what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas’, this doesn’t have to be true in this instance. If you have had the time of your life watching rugby league in Sin City, feel free to tell everyone about it until they get sick of listening to your stories (and then tell them a few more!)
I’m sure there is plenty that I have forgotten to mention (and many things that I shouldn’t mention – I’ll blame the jumbo beers) but I’ll wrap it up by saying this; NRL Vegas is an incredible experience and a true bucket list item. For hard core rugby league fans who have the financial means to make it happen, it is something you simply must do.
If, as expected, Parramatta do get announced in the coming weeks as participating in the 2027 event, I look forward to seeing many TCT readers there and would very much look forward to chatting about all things Parramatta with anyone who would like to meet up over a couple of refreshing beverages. Until then, Parra Proud!
