Tessa Lee, Sports journalist reporting on global leagues since 2021.
The Dolphins have become the only current NRL club yet to feature in the league’s Las Vegas showcase after the NRL confirmed the teams selected for the 2027 season opener. Melbourne Storm, Wests Tigers, Parramatta Eels and Gold Coast Titans will travel to the United States to headline the event at Allegiant Stadium on February 27, 2027 local time, which falls on February 28 in Australia.
The announcement confirms the Dolphins were overlooked for the penultimate year of the NRL’s current Las Vegas agreement with the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority. While every other existing club will have appeared in the United States by the completion of the 2027 event, the Dolphins remain on the outside looking in.
The 2027 schedule will feature a triple header, with the Storm taking on the Tigers, the Eels facing the Titans and English Super League clubs Bradford Bulls and Leigh Leopards also playing in Las Vegas.
Dolphins left waiting for Vegas opportunity
The Dolphins entered the NRL as the competition’s newest franchise in 2023, making them the last current club yet to receive an invitation to the growing international showcase.
Despite missing out in 2027, the club may still have an opportunity to participate in the final year of the agreement in 2028.
Expansion side Perth Bears will join the NRL in 2027, while the PNG Chiefs are also expected to enter the competition before the conclusion of the Las Vegas deal. That opens the possibility of the Dolphins facing one of the new franchises in a future Vegas fixture.
A potential clash between the Dolphins and Perth Bears has already emerged as an attractive option given the promotional value surrounding expansion clubs and the NRL’s push to grow its international audience.
The NRL has continued to use the Las Vegas concept as a major marketing strategy aimed at increasing rugby league’s visibility in the United States.
Since its launch in 2024, the event has become one of the competition’s highest profile season openers, combining NRL and Super League matches into a festival style weekend.
Storm’s remarkable Round 1 record continues
The Melbourne Storm will once again enter the season with high expectations, particularly given coach Craig Bellamy’s remarkable opening round record.
Bellamy has not lost a Round 1 match since taking charge of Melbourne in 2003, making the Storm one of the most dominant season opening teams in NRL history.
That record places additional pressure on the Wests Tigers, who will enter the Vegas clash as significant underdogs against the perennial premiership contenders.
The Tigers are continuing their rebuild under coach Benji Marshall and will hope the international spotlight can provide momentum heading into the new campaign.
Their involvement in Las Vegas also represents a major shift in approach after former chief executive Shane Richardson had previously indicated the club was not interested in participating in the event.
For Melbourne, the match may also carry added intrigue regarding Bellamy’s future. The veteran coach remains contracted through to 2028, but speculation continues following recent health concerns.
Parramatta and Titans set for international stage
The Parramatta Eels will use the Las Vegas trip as part of celebrations surrounding the club’s 80th anniversary.
The club expects strong travelling support from its membership base, which exceeded 37,000 members during the previous season.
Parramatta chief executive Jim Sarantinos said the organisation was eager to showcase the club internationally and expected thousands of blue and gold supporters to make the trip.
The Gold Coast Titans will also benefit from the global exposure as they continue to strengthen their standing within the competition.
Several new signings across the participating clubs could make their official debuts in the United States.
Jaydn Su’A is among the players expected to feature for Parramatta, while Jamayne Isaako could make his first appearance for Melbourne and Mawene Hiroti may debut for the Titans.
NRL Vegas continues to grow
The NRL’s Las Vegas experiment has produced strong interest since the inaugural event in 2024.
Opening matches have consistently delivered entertaining results and major television audiences, helping the league build momentum internationally.
Previous Vegas winners include Manly Warringah, Sydney Roosters, Canberra Raiders, Penrith Panthers, Canterbury Bankstown and Newcastle Knights.
Melbourne will now attempt to add its name to that list while extending Bellamy’s extraordinary Round 1 coaching record.
With the 2027 teams now confirmed, focus will soon shift toward ticket sales, fan travel packages and preparations for another high profile start to the NRL season.
For the Dolphins, however, attention remains on whether their long awaited Vegas opportunity will finally arrive in 2028.