LeagueNews.co | Jason Patrick
Melbourne Storm expressed surprise and disappointment over the NRL's decision to exclude them from the Las Vegas season opener in 2026, labeling it a "missed opportunity." The NRL chose to feature Canterbury, St George Illawarra, North Queensland, and Newcastle instead, aiming to leverage Canterbury's fan base.
Earlier, the Storm had withdrawn from contention for the 2025 fixture due to disagreements over terms with the NRL.
However, Storm CEO Justin Rodski indicated that the club is enthusiastic about participating in 2026.
Rodski highlighted the Storm's strong performance, showcasing that they have experienced back-to-back sellouts and signed over 31,000 club members this season.
He found it puzzling that the NRL did not recognize the potential for expanding the game's reach by including the Storm in the Las Vegas event.
"We thought we had a proposal that was compelling, but unfortunately, for whatever reason, I think the NRL missed a big opportunity to not take the Storm," he remarked.
He emphasized the significance of showcasing Melbourne, which is Australia's second-largest city and has a growing market for the sport, especially with Origin being hosted there next year.
Overall, the Storm's exclusion has sparked conversations about the NRL's strategies for expanding its audience in untapped markets, particularly in Victoria.