Realistic international NRL growth

[Douglas]

Lots of ambition and big talk about potential international growth given by PVL in his press conference today but what is the realistic expectation for the NRL’s international growth?

NRL team #20 in New Zealand is a no-brainer.

NRL global round in Europe, Asia and Middle East is definitely achievable.

Continuation of Las Vegas/North American double header is probably here to stay beyond it’s current 5 year deal.

investment in super league more than likely sewn up.

state of origin coming to Europe and Asia?

world club challenge to be played in Middle East and Asia?

pacific region is limited unfortunately due to population and economic realities.

China possibly affected by geopolitics with the Australian government funding with the backing of the US of PNG chiefs?

South Africa?

South America?

all very exciting if nothing else for the game of RL.

Edited July 7 by Douglas

[Welshleaguelover]

"Investment in Super League"

They will not Invest a penny.

[Douglas]

Just now, Welshleaguelover said:

"Investment in Super League"

They will not Invest a penny.

Let’s wait and see.

[Hopie]

"NRL" and "international growth" are antonyms.

[Douglas]

I think it’s in both parties interest to come to some sort of compromise and reach a deal.

The UK is a very lucrative market for the NRL and super league would benefit greatly from a partnership with a savvy and cashed up organisation like the NRL.

[Douglas]

Although I think it’s just talk and hype at this moment it clearly shows a very bullish and progressive minded PVL regarding international growth and expansion.

 

https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/nrl-2026-nrl-announce-53-billion-broadcast-rights-deal-until-end-of-2034-peter-vlandys-andrew-abdo-what-does-the-origin-schedule-look-like-news-reaction/news-story/62fb9d68771cde49bf1bf9d12be0064a

 

to be fair to PVL he is talking about NRL teams in Europe and North America 25 years from now.

Edited July 7 by Douglas

[Sports Prophet]

Interesting to see PVL is aiming for Global Round in 2027.

I don’t understand how it can be played apart from the opening round of the season. I just don't see how they have the time to establish it in time (if the plan of course is to play matches anywhere other than Vegas, NZ and Aus… and maybe PNG).

[Pulga]

1 hour ago, Hopie said:

"NRL" and "international growth" are antonyms.

We've been over this. The NRL has done more for the international game than basically any governing body.

Was it all completely intentional? 

I'll let you decide.

[jacksy]

2 hours ago, Douglas said:

I think it’s in both parties interest to come to some sort of compromise and reach a deal.

The UK is a very lucrative market for the NRL and super league would benefit greatly from a partnership with a savvy and cashed up organisation like the NRL.

In what way is ESL lucrative to the NRL market? 

[Douglas]

9 minutes ago, jacksy said:

In what way is ESL lucrative to the NRL market? 

Viewership, the London market and the potential player pool etc.

[Douglas]

1 hour ago, Sports Prophet said:

Interesting to see PVL is aiming for Global Round in 2027.

I don’t understand how it can be played apart from the opening round of the season. I just don't see how they have the time to establish it in time (if the plan of course is to play matches anywhere other than Vegas, NZ and Aus… and maybe PNG).

That’s the idea isn’t it, opening NRL global round?

2027 is cutting it a bit tight though.

Edited July 7 by Douglas

[Trebian]

4 hours ago, Welshleaguelover said:

"Investment in Super League"

They will not Invest a penny.

I just love one off unqualified statements of fact.

[jacksy]

1 minute ago, Douglas said:

Viewership, the London market and the potential player pool etc.

Is the viewship,London and player pool that good? Honest question. 

[Trebian]

2 hours ago, Douglas said:

I think it’s in both parties interest to come to some sort of compromise and reach a deal.

The UK is a very lucrative market for the NRL and super league would benefit greatly from a partnership with a savvy and cashed up organisation like the NRL.

Given the growth statements of the NRL, the contract clause sharing international sales between the NRL and Dazn and the European base of Dazn, I cannot see how that lot cannot involve Superleague and the UK. It might or might not mean investment in SL but there will be something I think.

[Trebian]

2 hours ago, Douglas said:

 

"Although I think it’s just talk and hype at this moment it clearly shows a very bullish and progressive minded PVL regarding international growth and expansion."

 

Yeah, Refreshing isn't it ?

[Trebian]

1 hour ago, Sports Prophet said:

Interesting to see PVL is aiming for Global Round in 2027.

I don’t understand how it can be played apart from the opening round of the season. I just don't see how they have the time to establish it in time (if the plan of course is to play matches anywhere other than Vegas, NZ and Aus… and maybe PNG).

I have come round to that idea. I thought they might spread them throughout the season but now, so I am not so sure.

As for doing it in 2027, we don't know how much work has been put in place already though they still need to organise / publish which games are where and give people time to organise flights etc out there. They have  been advertising next year's Vegas trip for 3 months already and that is pretty much settled. Unless PVL has something else up his sleeve then I just don't know.

[Douglas]

7 minutes ago, Trebian said:

"Although I think it’s just talk and hype at this moment it clearly shows a very bullish and progressive minded PVL regarding international growth and expansion."

 

Yeah, Refreshing isn't it ?

Indeed, both refreshing and exciting for RL fans.

[Douglas]

15 minutes ago, jacksy said:

Is the viewship,London and player pool that good? Honest question. 

Potential Viewership is the biggest market outside of Australia I’d say.

london is still considered the financial capital of the world and again like the potential viewership I think the player pool in the UK is the biggest outside of Australia&new Zealand.

[Douglas]

8 minutes ago, Trebian said:

I have come round to that idea. I thought they might spread them throughout the season but now, so I am not so sure.

As for doing it in 2027, we don't know how much work has been put in place already though they still need to organise / publish which games are where and give people time to organise flights etc out there. They have  been advertising next year's Vegas trip for 3 months already and that is pretty much settled. Unless PVL has something else up his sleeve then I just don't know.

I’d say quite a lot as didn’t they recently say that spurs stadium is not available for the dates they were looking at?

[Trebian]

26 minutes ago, jacksy said:

In what way is ESL lucrative to the NRL market? 

Vlandys tends to view anywhere with a sizeable Rugby Union market as ripe for exploitation. He sees RU as a deeply inferior game to RL but recognises they do have talent that he can exploit. He also recognises that most Unions around the world are not making much money likely because their cost base is inherently higher than RL.

In the UK, he sees a financially struggling but basically well organised League competition which he hopes to partner with to substantially grow our game. He was excited to see what Wigan & Warrington brought to Vegas that first time and sees that as energy in the Northern Hemisphere that he needs. He also sees the UK and its fans as someone he can sell the NRL too. 

[jacksy]

I haven't really been following this stuff,so thanks for the update.

 

[Douglas]

4 minutes ago, Trebian said:

Vlandys tends to view anywhere with a sizeable Rugby Union market as ripe for exploitation. He sees RU as a deeply inferior game to RL but recognises they do have talent that he can exploit. He also recognises that most Unions around the world are not making much money likely because their cost base is inherently higher than RL.

In the UK, he sees a financially struggling but basically well organised League competition which he hopes to partner with to substantially grow our game. He was excited to see what Wigan & Warrington brought to Vegas that first time and sees that as energy in the Northern Hemisphere that he needs. He also sees the UK and its fans as someone he can sell the NRL too. 

Good crowds and viewing numbers for the recent ashes series along with the big travelling support for vegas etc.

leaving aside what PVL thinks I honestly think that there is big latent support for our game in England among casual RL fans and fans of the game for what ever reasons have either drifted away or are less invested in the game of late.

[Douglas]

I seriously hope that New Zealand is squarely in the crosshairs and top priority of PVL and the NRL as of right now.

we’ve got origin happening next year in Auckland along with the warriors ANZAC clash all taking place at Eden park.

if we could have NZ2 all wrapped up and announced before either of these 2 huge events then I think this would cement RL as New Zealand #1 code domestically.

[Douglas]

Regarding the US could we potentially see something like a Tonga v Samoa clash taking place in Hawaii during the pacific championship?

[Welshleaguelover]

4 hours ago, Trebian said:

I just love one off unqualified statements of fact.

Come back to me and tell me about the magical things that the NRL have done for Super League in a year or two.