NRL Aims to Score Big in U.S. with Tom Brady in Las Vegas 2025 Season Opener

The National Rugby League (NRL) has reportedly set its sights on unprecedented exposure in the United States, with reports the league is in discussions to bring NFL legend Tom Brady into the broadcasting booth, leveraging his iconic status to captivate a new American audience.

With the league set to kick off the 2025 season in Las Vegas with a blockbuster match between the Canberra Raiders and New Zealand Warriors, the game will be broadcast on Fox Sports, reaching an estimated 125 million U.S. homes. This marks the first time a rugby league match will be aired on a free-to-air channel in the United States, showcasing the NRL’s ambition to expand its footprint in the highly competitive U.S. sports market.

The decision to engage Tom Brady, who built an unparalleled brand during his 22-year NFL career, aligns with the NRL’s strategy to elevate its profile in the United States. Brady’s appeal and recognition extend far beyond the football field, making him an ideal ambassador to introduce American audiences to the excitement of rugby league.

Peter V’landys, the Australian Rugby League Commission (ARLC) chairman, emphasised the groundbreaking nature of this initiative: “The visionary support we have received from FOX in both the U.S. and Australia is remarkable. We share a bold ambition for what rugby league can achieve in the U.S. and globally.”

NRL CEO Andrew Abdo echoed this sentiment, stating, “We are grateful for FOX’s belief in our vision for rugby league in the U.S. The 2025 Vegas festival will be bigger, bolder, and better, offering a unique showcase of international athletes and attracting new fans.”

In addition to the Raiders-Warriors clash, the event will feature a second match between Penrith and Cronulla on Fox Sports 1, a subscription channel. The lineup also includes a UK Super League match between Wigan and Warrington, and a women’s rugby league showdown between the Australian Jillaroos and England Lionesses.

This strategic move comes after the previous season’s double-header in Vegas, which was broadcast on Fox Sports 1 and drew a crowd of 40,746. The NRL aims to surpass this attendance figure in 2025, offering fans an even more engaging and diverse rugby league experience.