In a landmark moment for the Betfred Super League and British rugby as a whole, Wigan Warriors and Warrington Wolves will be facing off against each other in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Yes, for the first time in history, an official Super League game will be taking place in the US as last month’s Challenge Cup finalists will see their rematch moved to the Allegiant Stadium, where NFL side Las Vegas Raiders and Rebels college-level American football teams play.
With the two local teams set to meet over the other side of the Atlantic next year, this comes as part of a fresh bid to grow a National Rugby League (NRL) audience over in the States – a drum they’ve been beating for several decades now.
The all-North West face-off will be one of four fixtures scheduled to take place in March 2025.
Boasting a 65,000 capacity, the Allegiant Stadium is roughly four times the capacity of the Wolves Halliwell Jones Stadium and more than two-and-a-half times the size of the Warriors’ home ground.
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It was also where this year’s Super Bowl was hosted.
Safe to say, if they sell well, these latest international NRL games could be huge for growing the rugby audience in the US.
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Wigan and Warrington are the first UK teams to play in America but follow in the footsteps of Aussie clubs Brisbane Broncos, Manly Sea Eagles, South Sydney Rabbitohs and Sydney Roosters who kicked off the Las Vegas promotion earlier this year, attracting over 40,000 fans.
The New Zealand Warriors will also play against Canberra Raiders along with three-time NRL champions Penrith Panthers taking on Cronulla Sharks in the other games booked in for 2025 thus far.
That means eight NRL clubs will have played in the first two years in Vegas, following matches between Brisbane Broncos, Manly Sea Eagles, South Sydney Rabbitohs and Sydney Roosters earlier this year.
But the historic fixtures don’t stop there as England Women will also play against the world champions, Australia Jillaroos, in another landmark moment for international rugby.
As for Wigan – who hold the record for the most competition wins, lifting their 21st Challenge Cup on 8 June with an 18-8 win at Wembley – they’re clearly relishing the challenge of playing abroad.
These games will be broadcast on Sky Sports and are obviously geared towards the American sporting audience, but would you fly as far as Las Vegas to watch a Super League game?
Manchester United’s Old Trafford regeneration project backed by UK government
Danny Jones
Manchester United have officially received government backing for the redevelopment of their stadium and the wider regeneration of the surrounding Old Trafford area.
One of the first things that co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his INEOS Group made a priority after acquiring their minority stake in the club was to bring the home ground up to standard and it looks as though that rather large task is now moving in the right direction.
With Chancellor Rachel Reeves dubbing the Old Trafford Regeneration Project as “a shining example” of the Labour plans to promote economic growth, Man United now have the full blessing of the government ahead of the real work beginning.
Liaising with the Greater Manchester Combined Authority and Trafford Council specifically to bring plans to fruition, the Old Trafford area as we know is set to be transformed significantly, with a new ‘Wembley of the North’ being the key component of the project.
ℹ️ The Old Trafford Regeneration Project has been backed by the government.#MUFC
The backing of the government means that beyond the club simply paying to redevelop the stadium itself, this will allow for other aspects such as improved transport infrastructure, housing and new businesses to be created as part of Old Trafford’s regeneration.
It’s also worth noting that no public money is on the table at present, with Ratcliffe, the Glazers and co. expected to foot the bill for all facets.
Reacting to the official statement by the UK Treasury, CEO Omar Berrada said: “The delivery of a world-class stadium can be the catalyst for major regeneration of an area of Greater Manchester which requires new investment to thrive again.
“We cannot achieve that wider aim on our own, which is why we welcome the announcement by the Chancellor and the ongoing support of the Mayor of Greater Manchester and Trafford Council.
If we work together, there is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to create a landmark project around Old Trafford that the whole region can be proud of.”
This might not be Man United’s home forever. (Credit: The Manc Group)
As for the Mayor of Greater Manchester Mayor himself – who was appointed as a key figure on the Old Trafford Regeneration Taskforce – Andy Burnham went on to add: “With our devolved powers we’re mobilising the whole Greater Manchester system to lock in growth for the next decade and reap the rewards for our city-region and UK plc.
“We look forward to working with the Government on moving freight away from the site around Old Trafford to new locations to open up capacity for our rail network and unlock massive regeneration potential”, he continued, insisting that it will lead to “benefits across the whole of the North.”
Although it still remains unconfirmed whether or not the existing Old Trafford structure will be renovated – which would see an increased capacity of around 87,000 – or whether an entirely new 100k-seater stadium will be built instead, though the most recent fan survey seemed to favour the latter.
After fans all over the world were invited to create their own jersey designs using artificial intelligence back in December, with literally thousands of entries being submitted, the club now has its shortlist and it’s the fans who have the power to pick the winner.
Inviting Cityzens to have the final say this week, the intake has now been whittled down to just 10 different options – but which one tickles your fancy, Blues?…
There are no traditional red/yellow and black striped numbers to pick from this time around – both this year’s away kit and the 23/24 strips have had that covered of late – but there are some pretty classic combos that have been put together.
Alternatively, there are plenty more adventurous creations that have made the cut thus far.
Put together using Puma’s creator software, this initiative has launched alongside the club’s first fully-fledged generative AI goalkeeper kit which will debut this weekend.
Designed by goalkeeping duo Ederson and Stefan Ortega, as well as rising youngster Rico Lewis, the limited edition creation will be available exclusively in-store from the official City Stores at Etihad and Manchester Arndale.
Our limited edition PUMA AI Creator goalkeeper shirt, available as a CityStore (Stadium & Arndale) exclusive tomorrow, 25th January.
What do you make of it and, more importantly, which of the third kits do you like the look of best?
Fans have until 23:59 GMT on Wednesday, 29 January to pick their favourite but you best be happy with your decision because it will be the matchday third kit for a full year.
The winner will be chosen this summer ahead of not the upcoming campaign but the following season.
You can cast your ballot and choose your future City third kit HERE.
Danny Jones -
10th July 2024 
