When I first heard that a Super League game would be played in the US again – Las Vegas, no less, I had mixed feelings. Afterall, the Super League is made up of 12 teams – indeed, 10 of them spanning an almost horizontal corridor in the north of England.
I was also intrigued to see which game would be played over there – it had to be a big one like a Wigan Warriors – St Helens, though the former against Warrington Wolves turned out to be a good choice.
And, as it seems, a good advert for the sport in a country that likely only knows about rugby union and, due to the World Cup.
I’m not sure how I feel, firstly, being from northern England, and also an ex-amateur rugby league player of around 15 years about the sport being shared on the global stage, especially in the US – a country that basically tries to commoditise everything.
Afterall, the roots of rugby league (what I think is the best sport in the world, by the way), are considerably working class – even more so than football, especially compared to its counterpart, rugby union (the more well-known code) which was traditionally played among public schoolboys and the upper classes.
Anyway, I digress. Slightly. It does appear that the match played in Las Vegas, at the Allegiant Stadium, broke a number of records. Actually, I was surprised by the amount of media interest and it seems there were record-breaking viewing and digital figures – 340,000 tuned in.
It seems, next year is already being talked about, with all 12 teams being invited to register their interest after an increased attention from last year’s event. I seem to remember hearing that 10,000 fans also made the trip across the pond as well, which I thought was pretty good, to say Wigan and Warrington are both quite small towns. Obviously, many fans will be scattered around the UK or the world as well.
I’d be quite interested actually, to know the number of ex-pats living out in Vegas that attended, who are either rugby league fans, or actual fans of both of those clubs.
Could Rugby League Catch On In The US?
I was actually quite surprised by how well received it was in the US – especially by the locals. Though, Vegas being Vegas knows how to events well – certainly sporting events, as we saw with the resort’s inaugural Formula 1 race last year.
American’s tend to like sports that are fast – the way they embraced ‘soccer’ and formed the MLS was positive and rugby league could well go in the same direction.
I’m just not sure if I want it so far away from my northern English roots.