wide cities, 2027 season launch, Peter V'landys, Nathan Cleary

Discussions are underway between Peter V'landys and Andrew Abdo to potentially launch the 2027 NRL season by playing all nine matches in different major cities around the world on the same weekend.

The proposed global round has been met with strong support, led by Nathan Cleary.

Following the success of its Las Vegas venture, the NRL has ambitious plans to take the 2027 season launch even more global, with cities such as London, Dubai, Hong Kong and Miami being considered, The Sydney Morning Herald revealed on Saturday.

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The news landed on the day of the Australian Kangaroos' first Test against England at Wembley Stadium, with the initiative well received by the Australian players.

Cleary views the opportunity to play NRL internationally as both a beneficial experience for players and a crucial step toward the game's global expansion.

"I instantly thought it was a great idea," he said.

"The more we can promote the game and get it into eyes that haven't seen it ... I think the product of rugby league is the best sport in the world, it's probably just that people haven't watched enough of it."

Cleary would like to have his Panthers play on the United States' east coast.

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"I should probably say Manchester, because then I could see Mary [partner Mary Fowler, who plays football for Manchester City]," Cleary said of which city he would like to play in.

"But maybe Miami or something. That would be pretty cool.

"Selfishly, as a player, you just want to have more of those experiences. You want to go away and play in different environments. Like today [at Wembley] was just incredible. They're things you remember for the rest of your life.

"I think that's probably one thing that rugby union has had over rugby league. It's the fact that they get to travel and go to different places. If rugby league is able to do that, I can only see it growing more. It's exciting."

V'landys, the Australian Rugby League Commission chairman, outlined the plan to the Herald: 24 hours of non-stop rugby league action across five countries.

He also confirmed that several English Super League clubs had already approached him about partnering on the concept after learning of the NRL's plans.

"I think the game has to be globalised, and you need to have ambition," V'landys said.

"I've always said you need to get new revenues. New revenues have to come from other markets. There've been a lot of countries that have shown interest in paying us some big dollars to take a game to their country, so we have to look at it.

"We have to look at the business plan and see if we can do it. There's a lot of interest. We've already had countries approach us.

"We had Super League clubs today, very keen to join us in some of those countries. Even in its initial stages as just a concept, it's generated significant interest."

However, V'landys emphasised that the plan hinged on a profitable business case, which is currently being assessed with clubs, broadcast partners and tourism bodies.

"We have to go to the clubs, the players and see what we can do. If it's profitable for us to do it, a lot will have to do with the broadcast [partners]. If we can make this an international broadcast, it may bring in new revenues we haven't seen before," he said.

The NRL's ambitious target was to play all nine opening games abroad in 2027, but the current plan involves a split round. The league will aim to take up to six matches overseas, with the remaining teams playing in Australia and New Zealand.

"Miami is definitely a place we've looked at," V'landys said.

"It's a happening place where people will want to go. But again, the tourism bureau over there has to be interested and assist us in getting us there."

The NRL's Las Vegas venture lost money in its first year, but a lucrative tourism deal helped the league finish its second visit with a profit.

In the week leading up to the exhibition matches, the influx of fans from Australia, England and New Zealand added nearly $US70 million to Las Vegas's tourism revenue.

To replicate its Las Vegas success and ensure a profitable outcome for the expanded global round, the NRL is hoping to strike similar tourism deals in each host region.

V'landys said criticism would not deter him from pursuing the latest venture.

"They said we couldn't start on the 28th May [after COVID-19], they said Las Vegas would be a failure," he said.

"If you listen to the negative narks, you would do nothing. You'd stay in bed all day."

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