Las Vegas is known for doing bigger things: super-sized parties, super-sized hotels, and super-sized casinos. Now it was rugby league’s turn to take over Fremont Street in a very big way.
Before traveling to Las Vegas this week, I was told multiple times that the Fremont Street event on Thursday night would be the highlight of the trip, with each of the six teams walking the red carpet and taking the stage to greet the moment.
They weren’t expecting 16,000 fans in attendance, NRL stars dancing the ‘duggie’ – a popular hip-hop dance originating from Texas – and a performance from Erasure frontman Andy Bell.
Super League is known for its lively crowds and Fremont Street was once again a sea of Hull KR and Leeds Rhinos fans, with NRL fans also spread out in between.
They made it their own. Sky Sports Rugby League’s Barry McDermott said on stage: “We didn’t come to join, we came to take over.”
I did that.
They were the first two teams to take to the stage in front of a large crowd of fans as Saturday’s Super League match was the opening match.
Leeds Rhinos started the game wearing an American-style bomber jacket in Leeds colours, with captain Ash Hundley taking to the microphone to praise the fans and comment on how all the NRL captains were talking about how great they were yesterday. They left their mark.
Hundley is usually a fairly reserved character. He was bold and confident and clearly enjoyed the big stage.
Next up was Ryan Hall. Having played for the Rhinos and Robins, he was loved by both teams and received huge cheers when he appeared. Of course, afterwards he happily performed the Leeds national anthem ‘Marching on Together’.
The world champions arrived as the Rhinos headed off to sign autographs and take photos with fans.
Erasure’s “A Little Respect” was followed by “We are Hull Kingston Rovers” and the team took a long march down the red carpet, but the fans stopped everyone, especially captain Elliott Minchella, who held the World Club Challenge trophy.
Robbins also featured personalities. They also wore red bomber jackets and some players took the opportunity to add their own style – Joe Burgess opted for a very large gold chain and sunglasses.
As everyone drank boogies and head coach Willie Peters and star man Mikey Lewis were chatting, the microphone was passed to Minchella, who said he had brought in the “19th guy.” That was Bell, who wowed the audience with a live performance of his hit songs.
A Super League team brought in a star player.
Bell often said he couldn’t believe their song had been accepted by a rugby league club, but it must have hit home all over again when the 16,000 fans and players on stage sang along.
It felt like the moment when Super League was truly and fully showcased as it should always be. With all four trophies in hand, the team stood there enjoying the moment and admired by the entire sport.
The NRL then took over and each team had their moment in the spotlight with a dance battle, a team song and some questionable moves.
In fact, there was also a backflip.
The players were celebrities, VIPs, and the center of attention in Las Vegas.
For a sport in a country that fights to be seen, they weren’t just visible, they were consuming the entire space.
Super League was outsized.
2026 Super League – Important dates and highlights
Rugby League in Las Vegas: Saturday 28th February: Hull KR v Leeds Rhinos, 11pm (Sky Sports) Super League 30th Birthday: Thursday 26th March: Castleford Tigers v Bradford Bulls, 8pm (Sky Sports) Rivals Round: 3rd April to 5th April Super League in Paris: Saturday 6th June: Catalan Dragons v Wigan Warriors (Paris); 6:30 UK (Sky Sports) Magic Weekend: 4th July – 5th July Rivals Round Overturn: 23rd July – 26th July Elimination Playoffs: 19th September – 20th September Playoff Semi-Finals: 26th September – 27th September Grand Final: 3rd October, Old Trafford.
Sky Sports will continue to broadcast every Super League match live this season. Exclusively live, including two matches from each round, the remaining five matches will be shown weekly on Sky Sports+.
