NRL set to play 2019 match in US

The NRL is set to play a Telstra Premiership match in the United States as early as next year.

Multiple media reports say the game is set to be played in the US, with planning already underway to make it a reality.

It is likely that the two sides who play in the US would be given extended breaks on either side of the long trip in order to deal with the minimum 12-hour flight players would face in both directions.

NRL CEO Todd Greenberg told Fairfax Media that planning was well advanced.

"We're in discussions about that now,'' Greenberg said. "It’s a big landing process on a number of fronts. You need to work with the broadcasters, you've also got to work through travel, recovery. But it's certainly on our radar.

"The destinations in North America are available in a good broadcast timeslot, so that's what we're looking at. The ball is in our court in regards to scheduling and player workload. We're actively working on that now for 2019 and 2020. Next year we could have teams playing for points in America.'' 

If the game was played on the West Coast means cities including Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego and possibly even Las Vegas would be in the mix.

As far as stadiums go, the NRL will have a plethora to choose from.

From the 90,000 seat Rose Bowl in Los Angeles to dozens of smaller rectangular venues used by both professional and college teams, there is no shortage of options.

 

Author: 
www.nrl.com