LeagueNews.co | Cooper McEnroe
The National Rugby League (NRL) is considering shortening its Las Vegas program in 2026 from four games to three due to poor crowd numbers.
NRL Chairman Peter V'landys acknowledged that fluctuating crowds have become a concern.
The recent Vegas program featured two NRL fixtures, one Super League clash, and a women's Test match, attracting a total of 45,209 fans at Allegiant Stadium.
This was double the amount of football presented in the 2024 Vegas visit, which only included two NRL games.
The 2025 program in Las Vegas drew fans from England to watch their national women's team play Australia and witness the Super League clash between Wigan and Warrington.
However, the length of the program turned out to be a challenge for some attendees.
Allegiant Stadium does not allow pass-outs, requiring fans who arrived for the first game and left after the fourth to stay at the ground for a total of nine hours.
V'landys indicated that a decision on shortening the Las Vegas program will be made following a review of the crowd numbers and overall fan experience.
He emphasized the importance of adjusting the program to ensure a better outcome for both fans and the league.
V'landys stated, "It has become clear that we need to make some changes to the Las Vegas program to address the issues with fluctuating crowd numbers.
We want to ensure that fans have a positive experience at the events, and shortening the program may be necessary to achieve this."
Overall, the NRL is evaluating the viability of reducing the number of games in the Las Vegas program in response to attendance challenges and fan feedback.
The decision to potentially shorten the program reflects the league's commitment to delivering a high-quality experience for attendees while addressing concerns around crowd numbers and event length.