NRL heavyweights withdraw from Las Vegas opening round

The Melbourne Storm have opted out of playing in the NRL's season-opening 2025 matches in Las Vegas. (HANDOUT/NRL PHOTOS)

Melbourne have officially withdrawn their interest in playing in the NRL's 2025 Las Vegas fixture, leaving four teams in the running for the opening round kick-off in the US.

The Storm put out a statement on Friday, saying they would focus their efforts "closer to home".

That leaves the Warriors, Penrith, Cronulla and Canberra as near certainties to be the four men’s teams featuring at Allegiant Stadium.

The Victorian club, who are the current ladder leaders, said they had expressed interest but backed out after reviewing the NRL's terms and conditions.

“We are always looking at new ways to help grow our club and the game more broadly,” Storm boss Justin Rodski said in a statement.

“While we are supportive of the NRL’s vision for growth and expansion internationally, the time is not right for Storm to head to Vegas in 2025.

“Having played two trial matches away from Victoria in 2024, including the ground-breaking trial match in Fiji, the club will concentrate efforts on its local members, fans and participants.

“We are more than happy to discuss future opportunities with the NRL, whether that is in Vegas, Fiji or other markets where there is opportunity for the game to grow and for the Storm to be involved.”  

Manly, South Sydney, Brisbane and the Sydney Roosters headed to Las Vegas this year, becoming the first four teams to play competition games outside of Australia and New Zealand.

The NRL has a five-year deal to begin its season in the city, which hosted this year’s Super Bowl.

License this article

What is AAPNews?

For the first time, Australian Associated Press is delivering news straight to the consumer.

No ads. No spin. News straight-up.

Not only do you get to enjoy high-quality news delivered straight to your desktop or device, you do so in the knowledge you are supporting media diversity in Australia.

AAP Is Australia’s only independent newswire service, free from political and commercial influence, producing fact-based public interest journalism across a range of topics including politics, courts, sport, finance and entertainment.

What is AAPNews?
The Morning Wire

Wake up to AAPNews’ morning news bulletin delivered straight to your inbox or mobile device, bringing you up to speed with all that has happened overnight at home and abroad, as well as setting you up what the day has in store.

AAPNews Morning Wire
AAPNews Breaking News
Breaking News

Be the first to know when major breaking news happens.


Notifications will be sent to your device whenever a big story breaks, ensuring you are never in the dark when the talking points happen.

Focused Content

Enjoy the best of AAP’s specialised Topics in Focus. AAP has reporters dedicated to bringing you hard news and feature content across a range of specialised topics including Environment, Agriculture, Future Economies, Arts and Refugee Issues.

AAPNews Focussed Content
Subscription Plans

Choose the plan that best fits your needs. AAPNews offers two basic subscriptions, all billed monthly.

Once you sign up, you will have seven days to test out the service before being billed.

AAPNews Full Access Plan
Full Access
AU$10
  • Enjoy all that AAPNews has to offer
  • Access to breaking news notifications and bulletins
  • Includes access to all AAPNews’ specialised topics
Join Now
AAPNews Student Access Plan
Student Access
AU$5
  • Gain access via a verified student email account
  • Enjoy all the benefits of the ‘Full Access’ plan at a reduced rate
  • Subscription renews each month
Join Now
AAPNews Annual Access Plan
Annual Access
AU$99
  • All the benefits of the 'Full Access' subscription at a discounted rate
  • Subscription automatically renews after 12 months
Join Now

AAPNews also offers enterprise deals for businesses so you can provide an AAPNews account for your team, organisation or customers. Click here to contact AAP to sign-up your business today.

SEVEN DAYS FREE
Download the app
Download AAPNews on the App StoreDownload AAPNews on the Google Play Store