NRL Global Round

[Trebian]

There seems to be some renewed activity on the Global Round idea. Certainly the clubs and players seem to be pretty much on board with it. Perth have said they would like to play in Singapore preferably against PNG (its a shorter flight). The Roosters are talking about wanting to play in Japan and Dubai have offered $1m up front to hold a game there.

 

https://www.alloutrugbyleague.co.uk/news/nrl-next-united-states-move-1961142

https://www.zerotackle.com/nrl-eyeing-off-global-push-to-miami-japan-236409/

It has also been stated that the NRL made a $2m profit out of Vegas last year and they are thinking of switching this fixture to Miami when its current contract expires.

 

[yipyee]

3 hours ago, Trebian said:

There seems to be some renewed activity on the Global Round idea. Certainly the clubs and players seem to be pretty much on board with it. Perth have said they would like to play in Singapore preferably against PNG (its a shorter flight). The Roosters are talking about wanting to play in Japan and Dubai have offered $1m up front to hold a game there.

 

https://www.alloutrugbyleague.co.uk/news/nrl-next-united-states-move-1961142

https://www.zerotackle.com/nrl-eyeing-off-global-push-to-miami-japan-236409/

It has also been stated that the NRL made a $2m profit out of Vegas last year and they are thinking of switching this fixture to Miami when its current contract expires.

 

Yes made a huge profit, undoutably due to a lot of SL fans going over, how much of this did they give to each SL club that went?

[Trebian]

9 hours ago, yipyee said:

Yes made a huge profit, undoutably due to a lot of SL fans going over, how much of this did they give to each SL club that went?

 

As it's the NRL's show, perhaps the Superlegue clubs should be paying an entrance fee for being allowed to attend ?

They probably have 3 years of setup losses to pay off first plus interest and risk return but knowing the NRL, they likely picked up superleague clubs expenses already. Perhaps SL Clubs would have more right to complain if they had the balls to try something like this on their own. 

Edited July 30 by Trebian

[yipyee]

2 hours ago, Trebian said:

 

As it's the NRL's show, perhaps the Superlegue clubs should be paying an entrance fee for being allowed to attend ?

They probably have 3 years of setup losses to pay off first plus interest and risk return but knowing the NRL, they likely picked up superleague clubs expenses already. Perhaps SL Clubs would have more right to complain if they had the balls to try something like this on their own. 

It was reported that the costs wasnt picked up and that was a factor of some clubs opting out. It was also reported that the NRL clubs got a payment for going.

It was clear a large portion of fans attending were SL fans.

Would you work for free and someone else make a large profit?

Would the event have made 2 mill without SL?

Why isnt the same funding going to all clubs in attendance.

In terms of SL arranging things SL arranges the WCC has to pay all the costs of the NRL teams but SL deams in worthy to constantly beat the NRL to be the best club sides in the world...

Edited July 31 by yipyee

[Trebian]

Clubs opting out is very naive of them as they lose the opportunity to market their brand.

I don't think that NRL clubs got a payment for going but I do know that they are all very keen to go. The Storm kicked up a right stink last year because they weren't selected again. Now they will likely be going in 2027 with the weakest team they have had in 2 decades. The big thing that Australian clubs recognise is the importance of brand value and the opportunity Vegas brings to build that.

Yes, SL brought a large number of fans, as did New Zealand when the Warriors played. Great opportunity for fans to couple a game with a well organised party/holiday.

"Would you work for free and someone else make a large profit", now you are being silly. Yes the NRL made a profit last year of $2m. How much did they lose in the 2 previous years ? How much reward do you think they deserve for taking the risk in the first place ?

This is just a petty argument that has nothing to to do with Global Round which is the subject of this thread.

[lucky 7]

On 31/07/2026 at 07:23, Trebian said:

 

As it's the NRL's show, perhaps the Superlegue clubs should be paying an entrance fee for being allowed to attend ?

They probably have 3 years of setup losses to pay off first plus interest and risk return but knowing the NRL, they likely picked up superleague clubs expenses already. Perhaps SL Clubs would have more right to complain if they had the balls to try something like this on their own. 

Super League clubs would probably charge NRL clubs an entrance fee if they did any like this, and probably want the NRL clubs to pay expenses for the Super League clubs as well.

[yipyee]

14 hours ago, lucky 7 said:

Super League clubs would probably charge NRL clubs an entrance fee if they did any like this, and probably want the NRL clubs to pay expenses for the Super League clubs as well.

Thats not how the WCC work the hosts pay the bills... apart from when Penrith hosted, NRL want all the money and treating SL as a piggy bank

[Sports Prophet]

10 hours ago, yipyee said:

Thats not how the WCC work the hosts pay the bills... apart from when Penrith hosted, NRL want all the money and treating SL as a piggy bank

Is that right, the touring SL side paid their own bills to Sydney? 

That does interest me and is very poor if true. Is there somewhere that was reported which you can share to verify?

EDIT NOTE: from the short research I conducted, it sounds like the NRL underwrote the 2023 WCC after Penrith refused to underwrite it themselves. Shall we say, an example of the NRL facilitating the WCC, rather than not  and to boot, they included a $100,000 prize for the winner. Congrats St Helens.

research summary below:

The Actual 2023 Funding Reality

For the February 2023 match in Penrith, the financial negotiations did not require St Helens to fund the entire venture out of pocket. Instead, the match was heavily dependent on NRL financial backing: [1, 2]

• Penrith's Ultimatum: Penrith Panthers CEO Brian Fletcher publicly stated that the Panthers would not sign off on the 2023 game until the NRL guaranteed financial compensation. [1, 2]
• NRL Funding: Penrith requested roughly $300,000 from the NRL to cover the costs of hosting, replacing a lucrative local trial match, and providing a prize money pool. [1, 2]
• Commercial Backing: The event was ultimately integrated into the broader, commercially backed NRL Pre-Season Challenge, meaning the governing body and broadcasting partnerships stepped in to make the match financially viable for both sides. [1, 2]

Edited August 2 by Sports Prophet

[Trebian]

1 hour ago, Sports Prophet said:

Is that right, the touring SL side paid their own bills to Sydney? 

That does interest me and is very poor if true. Is there somewhere that was reported which you can share to verify?

EDIT NOTE: from the short research I conducted, it sounds like the NRL underwrote the 2023 WCC after Penrith refused to underwrite it themselves. Shall we say, an example of the NRL facilitating the WCC, rather than not  and to boot, they included a $100,000 prize for the winner. Congrats St Helens.

research summary below:

The Actual 2023 Funding Reality

For the February 2023 match in Penrith, the financial negotiations did not require St Helens to fund the entire venture out of pocket. Instead, the match was heavily dependent on NRL financial backing: [1, 2]

• Penrith's Ultimatum: Penrith Panthers CEO Brian Fletcher publicly stated that the Panthers would not sign off on the 2023 game until the NRL guaranteed financial compensation. [1, 2]
• NRL Funding: Penrith requested roughly $300,000 from the NRL to cover the costs of hosting, replacing a lucrative local trial match, and providing a prize money pool. [1, 2]
• Commercial Backing: The event was ultimately integrated into the broader, commercially backed NRL Pre-Season Challenge, meaning the governing body and broadcasting partnerships stepped in to make the match financially viable for both sides. [1, 2]

Now you are talking facts, that simply will not do at all. Most unfair.

[gingerjon]

1 hour ago, Sports Prophet said:

Is that right, the touring SL side paid their own bills to Sydney? 

That does interest me and is very poor if true. Is there somewhere that was reported which you can share to verify?

EDIT NOTE: from the short research I conducted, it sounds like the NRL underwrote the 2023 WCC after Penrith refused to underwrite it themselves. Shall we say, an example of the NRL facilitating the WCC, rather than not  and to boot, they included a $100,000 prize for the winner. Congrats St Helens.

research summary below:

The Actual 2023 Funding Reality

For the February 2023 match in Penrith, the financial negotiations did not require St Helens to fund the entire venture out of pocket. Instead, the match was heavily dependent on NRL financial backing: [1, 2]

• Penrith's Ultimatum: Penrith Panthers CEO Brian Fletcher publicly stated that the Panthers would not sign off on the 2023 game until the NRL guaranteed financial compensation. [1, 2]
• NRL Funding: Penrith requested roughly $300,000 from the NRL to cover the costs of hosting, replacing a lucrative local trial match, and providing a prize money pool. [1, 2]
• Commercial Backing: The event was ultimately integrated into the broader, commercially backed NRL Pre-Season Challenge, meaning the governing body and broadcasting partnerships stepped in to make the match financially viable for both sides. [1, 2]

You say your own research and then show some what looks like unchecked AI?

[Sports Prophet]

1 hour ago, gingerjon said:

You say your own research and then show some what looks like unchecked AI?

Not correct.

I did start with a simple google AI question.

To paraphrase its summary response to my question of “did St Helens RLFC pay its one expenses for the 2023 WCC against Penrith Panthers?” was “yes St Helens did play Penrith in 2023 and paid their full expenses”.

As it does, it highlights the articles it has based the summary on. I subsequently read those articles and the basis of the 2021 comments of coach Woolf at the time, were around a potential trip in 2022 where he said that the Panthers were unwilling to underwrite any event and Woolf was of the understanding if the NRL didn’t follow through then Saints would have to pay their own way.

Now as we all know, 2022 didn’t happen and after further research of the referenced articles and more, it came to me that the 2023 event was underwritten by the NRL in part with their pre-season series.

As you have challenged my “research”, I will go on… as I do not trust AI on its first response to any such question and having verified its original response was incorrect and guilty of giving a false summary of the facts, which any trusting individual would take for granted without further verification.

AI’s response was full of apology and promised to do better and blah blah blah, but I made my point to it and I have to you and the forum ans and stand correct where AI was not.

So yes, with my one research. I am welcoming for you or anyone else to demonstrate via your own research anything otherwise.

Edited August 2 by Sports Prophet

[Dave T]

3 hours ago, Sports Prophet said:

Is that right, the touring SL side paid their own bills to Sydney? 

That does interest me and is very poor if true. Is there somewhere that was reported which you can share to verify?

EDIT NOTE: from the short research I conducted, it sounds like the NRL underwrote the 2023 WCC after Penrith refused to underwrite it themselves. Shall we say, an example of the NRL facilitating the WCC, rather than not  and to boot, they included a $100,000 prize for the winner. Congrats St Helens.

research summary below:

The Actual 2023 Funding Reality

For the February 2023 match in Penrith, the financial negotiations did not require St Helens to fund the entire venture out of pocket. Instead, the match was heavily dependent on NRL financial backing: [1, 2]

• Penrith's Ultimatum: Penrith Panthers CEO Brian Fletcher publicly stated that the Panthers would not sign off on the 2023 game until the NRL guaranteed financial compensation. [1, 2]
• NRL Funding: Penrith requested roughly $300,000 from the NRL to cover the costs of hosting, replacing a lucrative local trial match, and providing a prize money pool. [1, 2]
• Commercial Backing: The event was ultimately integrated into the broader, commercially backed NRL Pre-Season Challenge, meaning the governing body and broadcasting partnerships stepped in to make the match financially viable for both sides. [1, 2]

That does all sound vague, and less definitive than your summary.

It sounds like they absorbed it into existing commercial arrangements that Penrith would ordinarily have been part of.

The attitude of Penrith has always been average to this match. 

[lucky 7]

18 minutes ago, Dave T said:

That does all sound vague, and less definitive than your summary.

It sounds like they absorbed it into existing commercial arrangements that Penrith would ordinarily have been part of.

The attitude of Penrith has always been average to this match. 

Possibly because they haven't won any of these games i think i'm right in saying

[Sports Prophet]

1 hour ago, gingerjon said:

You say your own research and then show some what looks like unchecked AI?

Is there a reason why you were so quick to challenge my post and not that of Yipyee who suggested (falsely as it appears) that St Helens did pay for their own way in 2023?

[Sports Prophet]

37 minutes ago, Dave T said:

That does all sound vague, and less definitive than your summary.

It sounds like they absorbed it into existing commercial arrangements that Penrith would ordinarily have been part of.

The attitude of Penrith has always been average to this match. 

I never questioned or challenged Penrith’s commitment to the WCC. It was not relevant to the discussion which was… did St Helens pay their own way to play Penrith in the 2023 WCC.

To pre-empt further questioning… I agree that Penrith have been very less than a positive reception to playing in the WCC. The feelings of the majority of Australians towards the WCC is no secret and been well discussed ad nauseam on this forum and none of us discussing whether Aussies should or should not care about the WCC will unearth any new feelings which haven’t been demonstrated many times before.

[Dave T]

55 minutes ago, Sports Prophet said:

I never questioned or challenged Penrith’s commitment to the WCC. It was not relevant to the discussion which was… did St Helens pay their own way to play Penrith in the 2023 WCC.

To pre-empt further questioning… I agree that Penrith have been very less than a positive reception to playing in the WCC. The feelings of the majority of Australians towards the WCC is no secret and been well discussed ad nauseam on this forum and none of us discussing whether Aussies should or should not care about the WCC will unearth any new feelings which haven’t been demonstrated many times before.

I actually don't agree with much of the criticism most Aussies receive on the WCC. You know my thoughts on some of the NRL actions overall, including this match, but many clubs travel over here and are an asset to the game.

When the game has been staged over there, it has generally been well received by clubs and fans, including Melbourne, Roosters and Brisbane. Penrith, nah, its always nice to see them take a beating in this match.

[Trebian]

Australians attitude towards the WCC has always been poor. They often classified it as a trial game to prepare for the NRL season but I sense that attitude is slowly changing. I think the NRL are trying to change this impression and they are aided by the fact that the Aussies keep losing. Nothing will capture their attention as much as them getting thumped.

I think the NRL are now viewing it as another useful tool in their attempts to broaden the game's appeal and I think that last year's WCC and in particular Qatar's offer of $1m to hold it caught Vlandy's attention. I think the WCC is here to stay and might even get a bit of razzle dazzle going forward.

Edited August 2 by Trebian

[Douglas]

8 minutes ago, Trebian said:

Australians attitude towards the WCC has always been poor. They often classified it as a trial game to prepare for the NRL season but I sense that attitude is slowly changing. I think the NRL are trying to change this impression and they are aided by the fact that the Aussies keep losing. Nothing will capture their attention as much as them getting thumped.

I think the NRL are now viewing it as another useful tool in their attempts to broaden the game's appeal and I think that last year's WCC and in particular Qatar's offer of $1m to hold it caught Vlandy's attention. I think the WCC is here to stay and might even get a bit of razzle dazzle going forward.

It’s a genuine domestic club international clash that can be marketed and sold to a wider audience and RL doesn’t have many of these for the time being.

That being said I don’t think it’s as appealing to a wider international audience as the NRL global round and vegas games.

[Trebian]

Just now, Douglas said:

It’s a genuine domestic club international clash that can be marketed and sold to a wider audience and RL doesn’t have many of these for the time being.

That being said I don’t think it’s as appealing to a wider international audience as the NRL global round and vegas games.

Agreed

[Sports Prophet]

1 hour ago, Trebian said:

…Nothing will capture their attention as much as them getting thumped.

I think the NRL will be much happier and show even more willingness for pushing the WCC if the southern hemisphere champions were a chance of losing to a team playing in NRL Europe.

Back to the topic at hand, are we any clearer whether this Global Round is to take place at anytime other than the opening round?

It seems like the obvious time to host it and I can’t imagine many clubs keen on a disruption like Global Round in the middle of the season.

[Trebian]

9 hours ago, Sports Prophet said:

I think the NRL will be much happier and show even more willingness for pushing the WCC if the southern hemisphere champions were a chance of losing to a team playing in NRL Europe.

Back to the topic at hand, are we any clearer whether this Global Round is to take place at anytime other than the opening round?

It seems like the obvious time to host it and I can’t imagine many clubs keen on a disruption like Global Round in the middle of the season.

I don't know.

I did hear that it was likely to get pushed back to 2028 but what that was based on is anyone's guess. Personally, I think they might try to get at least one game away next year to start to establish the process. Singapore is starting to look more favourable and RL there is growing. The war in the M.E. won't be helping.

There is a PVL interview from a few weeks ago where he says that this is his no.1 priority now ( I thought Superleague was his top priority ?, still he was talking to an Australian audience). He said that the NRL has a one off chance to grab a slice of the global market and this is it. I think something will happen next year.

 

Edited August 2 by Trebian

[Trebian]

As to timing, I am beginning to come round to your point of view at least initially. Origin in the middle of the season is likely to disrupt anything happening later. However I did notice that in the new broadcast deal, PVL will have control of the schedule. At some point and it may be a long way off, I think the NRL will do something quite radical with the season.

[Trebian]

Not much that is new really. Interesting comment about Vegas city paying nothing for staging RL and saying there will likely be an interesting conversation in the next year or so. This might be what the Miami talk is all about.

 

 

Edited August 3 by Trebian

[Trebian]

https://www.news.com.au/sport/nrl/peter-vlandys-reveals-bold-plot-to-expand-nrl-worldwide-with-key-world-cup-stylechange-to-be-made/news-story/68bdf72cd85f05a59b0945ab59333652

 

"The game could also potentially be played in the Middle East with Abu Dhabi already offering $1 million to be part of Global Round, but the ongoing war in Iran may halt that dream."

 

Looks like 2028 for Global Round now. Usual cities being discussed but talk of London going quieter. Comments elsewhere are suggesting a 24 hr RL season opener.

Edited August 11 by Trebian

[Copa]

5 minutes ago, Trebian said:

https://www.news.com.au/sport/nrl/peter-vlandys-reveals-bold-plot-to-expand-nrl-worldwide-with-key-world-cup-stylechange-to-be-made/news-story/68bdf72cd85f05a59b0945ab59333652

 

"The game could also potentially be played in the Middle East with Abu Dhabi already offering $1 million to be part of Global Round, but the ongoing war in Iran may halt that dream."

 

Looks like 2028 for Global Round now. Usual cities being discussed but talk of London going quieter. Comments elsewhere are suggesting a 24 hr RL season opener.

$1 million is a hopeless offer for such an unattractive location so far from Australia.