LeagueNews.co | Jason Patrick
Despite Channel 9's request, the NRL has confirmed that the Knights and Raiders will indeed kick off the 2024 season with a Thursday night game, as originally scheduled.
This decision comes after Nine reportedly voiced concerns about the TV appeal of the initial fixture.
The season will commence with two games in Las Vegas, marking the start of an exciting experiment for the league.
However, the drama surrounding the Thursday night fixture caused some uncertainty, with reports suggesting that the NRL was considering a last-minute switch in response to Channel 9's request.
This led to a meeting between the Raiders and NRL officials, adding to the controversy surrounding the leaked Round 1 fixture list.
Despite the drama, the NRL has upheld the original draw, much to the disappointment of Channel 9 and the satisfaction of the Knights and Raiders.