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?
The route for the 2027 Tour de France Femmes revealed ahead of Manchester debut
Danny Jones
The route for next year’s women’s historic Tour de France has been announced, with some of the best riders in the world set to pass through Greater Manchester and more.
Yet another big coup for the region and our sporting scene.
Speaking with the City Council, now that the full route has been revealed, our very own Dame Sarah Storey joined many in celebrating another huge moment for us; the female Tour de France is not just back up and running, but aiming to become bigger than ever.
🚴♀️ The world’s best cyclists are heading to Manchester! 🚴♀️
The routes for the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift 2027 have now been revealed, with Manchester set to host the Stage One finish on Friday 30 July and the Stage Two start on Saturday 31 July. pic.twitter.com/OMMlhdorqP
— Manchester City Council (@ManCityCouncil) April 21, 2026
The Stockport-born swimmer turned Team GB cyclist and multi-Olympic gold medallist knows all about what makes this particular sport special, having swapped a previous and highly successful career for an entirely different discipline.
As has now been fully confirmed, the 2027 Grand Départ will be getting underway with our friends in Leeds, before heading through Yorkshire and into Greater Manchester.
Upon entering our neck of the woods, the course will pass through the likes of Rochdale and Oldham into Manchester city centre, before heading into Stockport and neighbouring North West county, Derbyshire, and finally heading back through the Peaks.
Spread across two incredible days, the race itself will finish in Sheffield, with another UK first happening down in London, as the capital will also host the inaugural team time trial held in this country.
You can see the official event’s breakdown of what locations feature in which stages of ‘The Big Loop’ in more detail below.
Leader of Manchester City Council, Bev Craig, went on to add: “Being able to watch the world’s best cyclists in action and in such an iconic event, taking place right here on our doorstep in the heart of Manchester next summer, is going to be epic on so many levels.
“Championing women and girls to participate in and enjoy sports – including cycling – at all levels from entry through to elite, is really important to us and next year’s Tour de France Femmes is set to play a huge part in helping inspire the next generation of sporting talent from our city.
“With millions of spectators expected to line the routes, including here in the city centre, we’ll be going all out to help ensure the event’s success with what is set to be a ‘Tour takeover’ of the city to maximise opportunities for local people and businesses to get involved, to grow their own sporting skills, and to take part in the many community activities being planned.”
Having hosted everything from the BRITs and the MOBO Awards to another Super League Grand Finals in both netball and rugby, not to mention numerous other huge events over the past couple of years, it truly is a great time to be living in Greater Manchester.
Featured Images — Publicity pictures (supplied via Manchester City Council)
Sport
adidas and JD are giving away FREE Nell’s pizza with a Manchester Marathon medal
Daisy Jackson
Manchester Marathon finishers will be able to reward themselves with free Nell’s pizza this weekend, thanks to a collaboration with adidas and JD.
The sportswear giants will be teaming up with one of the city’s top pizza spots to hand out the ultimate post-race reward at Kampus this Sunday.
It’s all to celebrate the launch of the new adidas EVO SL ATRs, a shoe that’s built with running miles in mind.
And there’ll be a chance to grab an exclusive t-shirt too, and have your official marathon finish time branded on-site.
adidas and JD are giving away FREE Nell’s pizza with a Manchester Marathon medal / Credit: Supplied
As well as a free slice of Nell’s famous New York-style pizza and a drink, Manchester Marathon finishers will be able to enter into a range of giveaways, with prizes including the EVO SL ART, adidas merch, and range of other prizes.
And you’ll be recovering with a slice in hand and a live DJ keeping the post-race energy high
All you need to do is show your Manchester Marathon medal at Nell’s at Kampus, to grab your free slice, and check out adidas and JD’s latest drop.
Friends and family are encouraged to join too – after all, all runners know a marathon isn’t possible without that support crew.
There are also a bunch of giveaways and more to look forward to / Credit: Supplied
Pizza slices will be handed out on a first-come, first-serve basis, so make sure your sprint to Nell’s is your fastest yet.
Thankfully, the adidas EVO SL’s are built for speed…
adidas x JD x Nell’s – Manchester Marathon event
Taking place on Sunday 19 April, from 12pm to 8pm
Free pizza slice and a drink when you show your Manchester Marathon medal (while stocks last)
Exclusive merch and great prize giveaways from adidas and JD
Plus photo moments, live DJs, and more
Find it at The Bungalow, Kampus, M1 3GL (next to Nell’s)
Danny Jones -
10th July 2024 
