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APR GamesRugby League Las Vegas 2027: the Allegiant Stadium weekend guide
Three matches, one stadium and a week of rugby league on the Strip. Here is everything you need to know about Rugby League Las Vegas on February 27, 2027: the games, the history, how to plan the trip and what to watch for, plus how it kicks off a huge year of rugby in our city.
Key facts at a glance
- Date: Saturday, February 27, 2027 (kickoff times still to be announced)
- Venue: Allegiant Stadium, 3333 Al Davis Way, Las Vegas, NV 89118
- NRL games: Melbourne Storm vs Wests Tigers; Parramatta Eels vs Gold Coast Titans
- Super League game: Bradford Bulls vs Leigh Leopards
- Tickets: Ticketmaster, from $29 plus handling fees and charges (per NRL.com)
- Event week: fans urged to arrive by Wednesday, February 24, 2027
- Record so far: 45,719 fans at the 2026 triple-header
- Next up in Vegas: the APR Games, 10-a-side rugby, May 29–31, 2027
For the fourth year running, Australia's National Rugby League will open its season in the desert. Rugby League Las Vegas 2027 brings two NRL Premiership games and a Super League match to Allegiant Stadium, home of the Las Vegas Raiders, on the last Saturday of February. Since the NRL's first Vegas double-header in 2024, the event has grown into a full week of fan festivals, a nines tournament, school visits and business conferences, all built around one big night of rugby league.
At the Vegas Kings we are home to rugby union and rugby league players alike, so this is the week our city's league community has circled on the calendar. This guide covers the matches, the history of rugby league in Las Vegas, the practical details of a night at Allegiant Stadium, and what newcomers should watch for in the game itself. Every fact below is sourced and dated; we will update this guide when kickoff times are announced.
When and where is Rugby League Las Vegas 2027?
The 2027 event is on Saturday, February 27, 2027, at Allegiant Stadium. According to the official NRL.com event page, the 2027 NRL Telstra Premiership season will "officially kick off on American soil on 27 February." The stadium's own event listing confirms the date and lists the start time as TBA, so check back closer to the day.
Allegiant Stadium sits just west of Interstate 15, across from the south end of the Las Vegas Strip. Sky Sports describes it as a 65,000-capacity venue. It is close enough to the big resorts that many fans walk, and Harry Reid International Airport is about four miles to the east, according to the stadium's visitor guide.
Who is playing in Las Vegas in 2027?
The 2027 card is a triple-header, following the three-game format used in 2026:
- Melbourne Storm vs Wests Tigers (NRL)
- Parramatta Eels vs Gold Coast Titans (NRL)
- Bradford Bulls vs Leigh Leopards (Super League)
Sky Sports reported on May 21, 2026, that Bradford are taking a home game to Las Vegas, with Leigh as the opponents. It will be the third straight year a Super League match has been played in the city. Bradford are one of the most famous names in English rugby league and returned to Super League in 2026 after an 11-year absence. Leigh owner Derek Beaumont told Sky Sports he was "absolutely buzzing" to take "little old Leigh" to Las Vegas.
The two NRL games count as Round 1 Premiership fixtures, which means these are real competition points, not exhibitions. That matters: teams treat the trip as the start of a long season, not a holiday, and the intensity shows.
Melbourne Storm have built one of the most consistent programs in the NRL over the last two decades, and Bradford carry the history of the English game. Put them on the same card in our city and you get a crash course in how rugby league is played at the very top on both sides of the world.
Rugby League Las Vegas year by year
The event has grown every year since 2024. Here is the record so far, from NRL.com, Love Rugby League, The Daily Aus and the Associated Press.
| Year | Matches | Crowd |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 (March 2) | Manly Sea Eagles 36–24 South Sydney Rabbitohs; Sydney Roosters 20–10 Brisbane Broncos | 40,746 (two games) |
| 2025 (March 1, local time) | Wigan Warriors 48–24 Warrington Wolves; Canberra Raiders 30–8 New Zealand Warriors; Australia Jillaroos 90–4 England women; Penrith Panthers 28–22 Cronulla Sharks | 45,209 (four games) |
| 2026 (February 28, local time) | Leeds Rhinos beat Hull KR (Super League); Newcastle Knights 28–18 North Queensland Cowboys; Canterbury Bulldogs 15–14 St George Illawarra Dragons (golden point) | 45,719 (record) |
| 2027 (February 27) | Storm vs Wests Tigers; Eels vs Titans; Bradford Bulls vs Leigh Leopards | To be played |
The NRL's March 2, 2026, report put the three-year total at more than 130,000 fans for the season opener in Las Vegas. It also recorded about 16,000 people at the Thursday-night Fan Fest on Fremont Street, more than 1,300 players in the nines tournament and a television audience of 2.1 million, up 7% on the previous year. ARLC chairman Peter V'landys estimated that about 20,000 Australians and 10,000 fans from England traveled for the 2026 event.
The 2025 edition was the biggest program so far, with four games and a women's Test, but many fans left before the final match and V'landys said afterward that it could be cut to three games. The 2026 triple-header still set a new attendance record, so expect the same tighter format in 2027.
How do you get tickets?
According to NRL.com, tickets are sold through Ticketmaster from $29, plus handling fees and charges. The stadium lists premium options too, including the Wynn Field Club and suites. Prices change with demand and seating area, so always buy through the official channels linked from NRL.com or the Allegiant Stadium event page rather than unofficial resellers.
Fans traveling from Australia have the option of NRL travel packages. The NRL lists a charter flight and stay package with tickets to all three games, a merchandise pack and five nights at Flamingo Las Vegas, plus club charters for Eels, Storm, Titans and Wests Tigers fans. One ticket covers the full card, so you can watch all three games from the same seat.
What else happens during event week?
Rugby League Las Vegas is much more than one night. The NRL encourages fans to be in town from Wednesday, February 24, 2027. Past and planned event-week activities listed by the NRL include:
- Fan Fest: in 2026 about 16,000 people packed Fremont Street on the Thursday night.
- Vegas 9s: a nines tournament for amateur and social teams. The NRL's 2026 listing included men's, women's and mixed open touch divisions, and more than 1,300 players took part in the nines in 2026.
- OzFest Las Vegas 2027: a celebration of Australian food, drinks, live music and rugby league at Resorts World Las Vegas.
- Business of Sport Conference and a Tradie Conference: business events running alongside the games.
- Community and schools work: the NRL reported 20,000 students reached through school activations in 2026 and 500 children at a gala day.
If you play touch or social rugby, the nines and touch divisions are a great way to get on a field during the biggest rugby week of the year. Our friends at Downtown Rugby have a full guide to touch rugby rules and how to start if you have never played.
Planning your night at Allegiant Stadium
Allegiant Stadium has strict entry rules. These come from the stadium's own A–Z guide; check it again before you go, because policies can change by event.
| Topic | What the stadium says |
|---|---|
| Bags | Clear plastic, vinyl or PVC bags no larger than 12" x 6" x 12", plus one small clutch up to 4.5" x 6.5" x 2". Necessary medical items allowed after inspection. |
| Payment | Fully cashless. Cash-to-card kiosks are on the 050 level (Northeast and Northwest entry lobbies) and at Section 203. |
| Re-entry | No re-entry. Once you leave, your ticket is no longer valid. |
| Parking | Prepaid parking passes required in all lots; tailgating ends when the event starts; lots cleared one hour after the event. |
| Smoking | Smoke-free inside, including vapes and e-cigarettes; designated areas outside. |
| Getting there | The airport is about four miles away. Rideshare and public transit are the stadium's recommended options; many Strip hotels are walkable. |
A triple-header is a long day. In past years the program has run for many hours, so plan food, water and breaks. Remember the no re-entry rule before you step out for air between games.
Coming from out of town? Our partner Luna Appleton covers where to stay, eat and celebrate in Las Vegas, which is handy when the whole city fills up with rugby fans. And if you are in town for the business side of event week, APR partner In Too Win works in Las Vegas business and investment.
Arrive early, sit for all three games and watch the warm-ups. You learn more about rugby league from 20 minutes of a pro team's drills, the tempo, the communication, the kicking, than from a season of highlights.
What should first-timers watch for?
If you are new to rugby league, or you grew up on rugby union, a few things will jump out. We cover the full comparison in our guide to rugby union vs rugby league, but here is the short version for game night.
The six-tackle set
The attacking team gets six tackles to make ground. After each tackle, the tackled player stands and rolls the ball back with a foot (the play-the-ball) to the dummy-half, and the defense must retreat 10 meters. After the sixth tackle the ball goes to the other team, which is why you will see a big kick on the last tackle almost every set.
Line speed and the "six again" call
Defenses race up as a line after every play-the-ball. Since 2020 the NRL referee can call "six again" for many ruck and 10-meter offenses, giving the attack a fresh set of six tackles instead of stopping for a penalty. The Vegas Knights have a strong breakdown of line speed, blitz and drift defense that applies to both codes.
Scoring and the two-point field goal
A try is 4 points, a conversion 2, a penalty goal 2 and a field goal 1. Since 2021, the NRL awards 2 points for a field goal kicked from beyond the 40-meter line, according to NRL.com's 2021 rules explainer. Watch for it late in close games, like the 15–14 golden-point finish between the Bulldogs and Dragons in 2026.
Golden point
If an NRL game is tied after 80 minutes, it goes to golden point extra time: the first team to score wins. The Bulldogs and Dragons proved in 2026 that it can happen in Vegas.
Why has rugby league chosen Las Vegas?
The NRL says it has made a long-term commitment to growing rugby league internationally, with America a key focus. NRL CEO Andrew Abdo called Las Vegas "the sport and entertainment capital of America" in the March 2026 report, and the league is studying further games in places like Japan, Hong Kong, Abu Dhabi and London.
For American fans, the Vegas round is the easiest way to see elite rugby league without crossing an ocean. For Australian and English fans, it is a bucket-list trip. And for Las Vegas, it is one more reason to call the city the capital of American rugby. Our sister club the Vegas Blackjacks has a great history of how the game took root here, from 1976 to today, in Rugby in Las Vegas: a history.
From Allegiant to the APR Games
Watch the pros in February, then play in May. The APR Games 2027 run Memorial Day weekend, May 29–31, 2027, in Las Vegas: 10-a-side rugby, two 20-minute halves, evening kickoffs on three fields. Men's Elite ($10,000 prize pool), Women's Social ($5,000) and Youth divisions. Player entry is $299 and includes a team jersey, a full kit bag, at least three pool games and opening-night access.
Join the APR Games waitlistThe 2027 Las Vegas rugby calendar
February is only the start. Here is how the big dates line up for anyone who plays or follows rugby in the city:
| Date | Event | Format |
|---|---|---|
| February 24–27, 2027 | Rugby League Las Vegas event week | Fan events, nines, conferences |
| February 27, 2027 | Rugby League Las Vegas at Allegiant Stadium | NRL and Super League, 13-a-side |
| May 28–31, 2027 | APR coaching clinic | Coaching clinic |
| May 29–31, 2027 | APR Games 2027 | 10-a-side rugby, three fields |
The APR Games are where the five founding Las Vegas franchises, the Vegas Kings, Vegas Knights, Vegas Blackjacks, Downtown Rugby and Vegas Lions, plus one invitational team still to be revealed, compete for $15,000 in prize money. Full rules and squad sizes will be confirmed with player registration. You can meet every team on the APR teams page, and the APR coaching clinic runs May 28–31, 2027.
How league players can get ready for the APR Games
Tens is a natural fit for rugby league players. There is more space than in 15s, the game rewards hard carries and line speed, and the format is fast enough that fitness for repeat efforts is a big edge. A few things league players should work on before May:
- The breakdown. Rugby tens is a rugby union format, so the ball is contestable after the tackle. League players need to learn to release, re-load and protect the ball at the ruck.
- Set pieces. Expect scrums and lineouts in some form. League forwards who have never scrummaged should learn under a qualified coach before going near a live scrum.
- Conditioning. Two 20-minute halves and at least three pool games across a weekend. The Vegas Lions' guide to strength training for rugby is a solid place to start.
- Tackling technique. Union and tens laws are strict on tackle height. Keep tackles low and legal.
Safety note: rugby is a contact sport. Contact skills such as tackling, rucking and scrummaging should be learned progressively under a qualified coach, with proper warm-ups and a medical check if you have any concerns. This article is general information, not coaching or medical advice.
Want the gear for training? Pick up APR kit at the APR merch store, and get one skill broken down every week in The Breakdown, APR's free newsletter.
The Kings were founded as a home for both codes. February at Allegiant shows you the best rugby league in the world. May at the APR Games is your chance to take what you learned and wear the crown. Ruthless, Flashy, Gold Standard, Royalty: that is the Kings Code.
Frequently asked questions
When is Rugby League Las Vegas 2027?
Saturday, February 27, 2027, at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. The NRL encourages fans to arrive from Wednesday, February 24, for event-week activities. Kickoff times had not been announced as of October 2026.
Which teams are playing in Las Vegas in 2027?
Melbourne Storm vs Wests Tigers and Parramatta Eels vs Gold Coast Titans in the NRL, plus Bradford Bulls vs Leigh Leopards in Super League.
How much are tickets for NRL Las Vegas 2027?
NRL.com lists tickets through Ticketmaster from $29 plus handling fees and charges. Premium seating and hospitality packages cost more.
Does one ticket cover all three games?
Yes. Rugby League Las Vegas is a triple-header, and a ticket covers the full card at Allegiant Stadium on the day.
How many people attended Rugby League Las Vegas in 2026?
A record 45,719 fans attended the 2026 triple-header, according to NRL.com and Love Rugby League. That beat 45,209 in 2025 and 40,746 in 2024.
What is the Allegiant Stadium bag policy?
Bags must be clear plastic, vinyl or PVC and no larger than 12 x 6 x 12 inches, plus one small clutch up to 4.5 x 6.5 x 2 inches. The stadium is cashless and does not allow re-entry.
Is this the first time rugby league has been played in Las Vegas?
No. The NRL first opened its season at Allegiant Stadium on March 2, 2024, and has returned every year since. Super League joined in 2025, and 2027 will be its third straight year in the city.
Can amateur players take part during event week?
The NRL has run a nines tournament during event week, with men's, women's and mixed open touch divisions listed in 2026. Check NRL.com for 2027 details.
What is the difference between rugby league and the APR Games format?
NRL and Super League games are 13-a-side rugby league with a six-tackle rule. The APR Games are played as 10-a-side rugby with two 20-minute halves; full rules and squad sizes will be confirmed with player registration.
How can I play rugby in Las Vegas after watching the NRL?
Join the APR Games waitlist at americanprorugby.com, subscribe to The Breakdown newsletter for tryout and registration news, and follow the five founding Las Vegas teams, including the Vegas Kings.
Keep reading
Sources
- NRL.com: Rugby League Las Vegas 2027, tickets and travel (accessed October 22, 2026)
- Allegiant Stadium: Rugby League Las Vegas 2027 event listing (accessed October 22, 2026)
- Allegiant Stadium: A–Z guide (bag policy, cashless, parking, re-entry), accessed October 22, 2026
- Sky Sports: Bradford Bulls and Leigh Leopards confirmed for Las Vegas 2027, May 21, 2026
- NRL.com: Vegas interest surges to new heights as global expansion gathers pace, March 2, 2026
- Love Rugby League: 2026 Las Vegas crowd revealed, March 1, 2026
- The Daily Aus: The stories from the NRL's second Las Vegas showcase, February 28, 2025
- Associated Press via Yahoo: Sea Eagles, Roosters win NRL season opener in Las Vegas, March 2024
- NRL.com: New NRL rules explained (scrums, field goals, six agains), February 26, 2021
- American Pro Rugby: APR Games 2027
Event details, ticket prices and stadium policies are set by the NRL, Super League and Allegiant Stadium and can change; this guide reflects their published information as of October 22, 2026. Always confirm with the official sources before you travel. The Vegas Kings are not affiliated with the NRL, Super League or Allegiant Stadium.