Why are there rugby league games being played in Las Vegas this weekend?

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Rugby league returns to Las Vegas for a second successive year as the sport continue to expand its horizons in the pursuit of global growth.

Australia’s National Rugby League (NRL) last year hosted two season-opening fixtures in Sin City to showcase the tournament to American audiences, with the league announcing an audience of upwards of 40,000 at Allegiant Stadium.

The NRL is back in 2025 but there is a bigger, broader offering for fans with a Super League clash and international clash between Australia’s Jillaroos and England’s Lionesses also set to be held.

All four fixtures will take place on an action-packed Saturday in Nevada at the home of the NFL’s Las Vegas Raiders.

Wigan Warriors, the reigning Super League champions, take on Warrington with the Wolves looking to secure an early statement win as they attempt to end their rivals’ dominance.

That is the first match on the four-game slate, with the Canberra Raiders facing the New Zealand Warriors following on.

England’s women then take on the Jillaroos for the first time since 2017 in the opening Test of the Women Ashes, a series that will be concluded at as yet unconfirmed venues later this year.

The action wraps up with the second helping of NRL as the Penrith Panthers meet the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks.