Vegas And The Round Up: Success or Not?

[Whippet13]

Neither Trump nor Vance will be there, which is a good thing - the NRL should not be doing something that alienates the sane 50% of the US population.

Edited February 3 by Whippet13

[Whippet13]

1 hour ago, back in the day said:

The NRL would bite your hand off at getting 50% of the US electorate “sane” or otherwise.

Ha, good point, although only a tiny percentage of that 50% are interested so they need every fan available. Most US tickets sales have been to Californians and I do think they should eventually consider hosting this event in LA or SF, if it continues once the LV contract expires. More growth potential there, and both have much nicer and more interesting places than LV.

Edited February 3 by Whippet13

[sam4731]

2 hours ago, back in the day said:

The NRL would bite your hand off at getting 50% of the US electorate “sane” or otherwise.

And to be fair, whatever you think of him, the 50% that wouldn't be alienated by him being there would be scrambling to get tickets just to get a glimpse of their overlord.

[langpark]

Great to see them investing in their youth!

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1105074871414146&set=a.653851656536472

[Dullish Mood]

9 hours ago, back in the day said:

45k-50k is certainly achievable.

will probably see a late flurry of tickets sold when all the teams are in town and are visible.

50,000 would be great. Tbh 40,000 wasn’t too bad last year with the top tier closed off.  Was a very good atmosphere and spectacle.

[Sports Prophet]

6 hours ago, back in the day said:

Should we not expect it to be more than last year with the extra game?

either way anything north of 45k would be more of a pass and acceptable.

There is 4 games this year BITD. 2 extra games, not 1.

Now I know many people don’t care for it and many don’t think women should be playing Rugby League, but I think it’s a disservice to completely ignore the fact Wigan and Warrington from the SL are opening the Vegas games this year  

[Damien]

This is different anyway:

Legendary boxing announcer Michael Buffer is set to bring a taste of Las Vegas to Wigan next week to continue the build up for the historic showdown between the reigning Super League champions and Warrington Wolves in Sin City.

‘Las Wigan Chapel’ is set to be unveiled outside the Brick Community Stadium ahead of the 2025 Super League opening game between Matt Peet's Wigan Warriors and local rivals Leigh Leopards, with boxing icon Buffer to help officiate love ceremonies for select fans on Valentine’s Day.

The Vegas-style chapel will be manned by a fully ordained celebrant, with memorabilia from both Wigan and Warrington to help mark the occasion, and couples able to celebrate their love or renew their vows on the doorstep of the Warriors.

Wigan and Warrington will go head-to-head at the Allegiant Stadium on March 1, a part of a unprecedented quadruple-header in the entertainment capital of the world.

Commenting on the Las Wigan Chapel and his first ever trip to the town, 80-year-old Buffer said: “I can’t wait to make the journey across the pond to the bright lights of Wigan to help Super League fans have the full Vegas experience. I might not be dressed as the King of Rock and Roll, but I can assure you that alongside Sky Sports, we are going to make this a Valentine’s Day to remember. It really is a match made in Vegas.”

https://www.alloutrugbyleague.co.uk/news/michael-buffer-super-league-match-954878

[WN83]

Rugby League throws up some surreal moments sometimes but none would top being married by Michael Buffer, in a tent outside the Brick Stadium. You'd feel like somebody had slipped something in your pie!

[Damien]

A little more here:

LEGENDARY BOXING ANNOUNCER MICHAEL BUFFER WILL BE JOINING US AT THE BRICK COMMUNITY STADIUM NEXT THURSDAY 13 FEBRUARY FOR OUR GREATEST OPENING NIGHT AGAINST LEIGH LEOPARDS.

As the Warriors gear up to head out to Las Vegas, Nevada in three weeks time, Wigan along with Sky Sports will bring a slice of Vegas stereotype to the North West as we open the little Wigan chapel, with Michael Buffer set to ‘marry’ two special Rugby League fans, who will officially tie the knot in Sin City.

Chief Executive, Kris Radlinski said: “It’s absolutely true – Michael Buffer is coming to Wigan! Thanks to our incredible friends at Sky Sports, we’ve pulled off something spectacular and secured the legendary Mr. Las Vegas himself for the build-up to our historic game in the USA! 

“This is a moment to celebrate – so let’s roll out the red carpet and show Michael the warmest Wigan and Super League welcome ever! Get ready, because this is going to be unforgettable!”

https://wiganwarriors.com/blog/2025/02/05/michael-buffer-to-visit-the-brick-community-stadium/

 

[WN83]

Presumably it'll include him doing the old "Lets get ready to rumble" shout out as the teams are ready to kick off. I'm a boxing fan as well and nothing says 'big event' more than them wheeling Michael Buffer out, so that would be a good way to get the season up and running. 

[Damien]

2 minutes ago, WN83 said:

Presumably it'll include him doing the old "Lets get ready to rumble" shout out as the teams are ready to kick off. I'm a boxing fan as well and nothing says 'big event' more than them wheeling Michael Buffer out, so that would be a good way to get the season up and running. 

Although it doesn't say it he has to be. It does also sound like Sky have been involved too so maybe they want that big event opener vibe and as you say nothing does that like Michael Buffer on the mic.

[WN83]

Surprised they didn't just ask 'Big Mo' to do it. We're defo more Boxxer than Matchroom at the moment but at least a bit of invention seems to be getting shown. 

[Eddie]

Any forum members going to Vegas? 

[Damien]

3 minutes ago, back in the day said:

I don’t follow boxing at all these days but he was absolutely box office back in the 90’s.

how’s his voice these days?

He's still a big deal and still does all the big events.

[Pigeon Lofter]

9 hours ago, Eddie said:

Any forum members going to Vegas? 

Possibly. Looked up business class on Virgin, but those flights were coming in at £8000-ish, so that's not going to happen. There's a budget airline, Norse Atlantic, that does premium economy from Gatwick to LV  for around £700, but reviews are mixed so I'm teetering over making a booking. 

[Whippet13]

10 hours ago, Pigeon Lofter said:

Possibly. Looked up business class on Virgin, but those flights were coming in at £8000-ish, so that's not going to happen. There's a budget airline, Norse Atlantic, that does premium economy from Gatwick to LV  for around £700, but reviews are mixed so I'm teetering over making a booking. 

Fly to Los Angeles and hire a car, its a simple 5 hour drive to Vegas. Flights to LA are cheaper and there is much more choice from decent airlines. That's what I'm doing.

[Whippet13]

19 hours ago, Eddie said:

Any forum members going to Vegas? 

Yep, I am, went last year too. Vegas is vastly overrated as a place in my opinion, but it's a good start point for a road trip to somewhere else. Will skip next year for the WC instead but I may go again in 2027. 

[Eddie]

17 minutes ago, Whippet13 said:

Yep, I am, went last year too. Vegas is vastly overrated as a place in my opinion, but it's a good start point for a road trip to somewhere else. Will skip next year for the WC instead but I may go again in 2027. 

Agreed, it’s ok for a couple of nights on the lash but otherwise there are lots of places I’d rather go, and plenty of potential road trips from there too. 

[casrhino]

20 hours ago, Eddie said:

Any forum members going to Vegas? 

Go every year at this time,just happens last years dropped on my birthday so had booked Vegas before rugby was announced.so this year we had booked early knowing NRL was coming again.Plus this year we can go out for our FREE meal that plenty of restaurants have for birthdays....so it's a win win for me.

[NERugbyDad]

On 05/02/2025 at 15:46, Eddie said:

Any forum members going to Vegas? 

Yep ... having a sports weekender with the rugby on Saturday followed by Ice Hockey on the Sunday night with Vegas Golden Knights vs New jersey Devils and the possibility of some Baseball on either the Friday or the Sunday afternoon with the Las Vegas College Baseball Classic on across the weekend.

[The Masked Poster]

On 06/02/2025 at 11:47, Eddie said:

Agreed, it’s ok for a couple of nights on the lash but otherwise there are lots of places I’d rather go, and plenty of potential road trips from there too. 

I actually thought Vegas was under- rated if anything, it's an amazing place. You don't have to even gamble there's that much to do and see. I just wish I was going to the games!!!

[graveyard johnny]

On 05/02/2025 at 15:56, back in the day said:

Good stuff.

it would be amazing and quite the coup to get him to do his catchphrase before the game.

shut that door?

[Worzel]

On 06/02/2025 at 11:28, Whippet13 said:

Yep, I am, went last year too. Vegas is vastly overrated as a place in my opinion, but it's a good start point for a road trip to somewhere else. Will skip next year for the WC instead but I may go again in 2027. 

Yeah every time I've been it's been on the way to somewhere else. It's fine for a couple of days - one night in the casinos, day by the hotel pool, one night at a show - but then definitely better things to do... whether heading over to LA in one direction, or via the Hoover dam to the Grand Canyon or maybe Monument Valley in the other.   

[Coastal_Geordie]

I know Wigan v Warrington isn’t the main event, and that it is the NRL’s show - but this has a feel of the early NFL games in London about it.  
 

The combine is potentially exciting, the amount of athletes produced by the college American football system that their just isn’t room for in the NFL could throw up some interesting new blood.  Sometimes they are just too small for the NFL but would have a suitable frame for NRL/SL.

[Fevrover]

4 hours ago, The Masked Poster said:

I actually thought Vegas was under- rated if anything, it's an amazing place. You don't have to even gamble there's that much to do and see. I just wish I was going to the games!!!

Been 5 times love it.