NRL’s 2023 season opener could be held in AMERICA as code plans to use Hollywood footy fanatics Russell Crowe and Hugh Jackman to push the game in the USA
- NRL has reportedly revived its long-held plans to host a game in the USA
- The season opener of the 2023 campaign could be played in Los Angeles
- Manly and South Sydney expected to play at Banc of California Stadium
- Stars like Russell Crowe and Hugh Jackman could sell the game to US market
- Crowe co-owns the Rabbitohs and Jackman is a passionate Sea Eagles fan
The next NRL season could begin in the USA, with the league reportedly banking on the star power of Russel Crowe and Hugh Jackman to make the prospect appealing for the American market.
According to the Sydney Morning Herald, NRL executives have revived plans to stage a game in the USA with Manly and South Sydney tipped to be feature in next season’s curtain-raiser in Los Angeles.
The choice of teams is far from casual, as Crowe co-owns the Rabbitohs and Jackman is famous for being a passionate Sea Eagles fan.
Manly and the Rabbitohs could face each other in Los Angeles in next season’s curtain-raiser
It is understood that the game would be played a week before Round 1, to give both teams time to return to Australia and recover, while also adjusting to the time difference.
The latter is also a major factor from a TV standpoint. The fixture is expected to be played on a Saturday night, which would see it broadcast live on Sunday afternoon in Australia.
Fox and Nine, which would broadcast the fixture, have reportedly both backed the plans.
The NRL is reportedly banking on the star power of Russel Crowe and Hugh Jackman to make the prospect appealing for the American market
The game is expected to be played at Banc California Stadium in Los Angeles
The game, however, is not expected to be played at SoFi Stadium, the shiny new home of the NFL’s Los Angeles Rams and Los Angeles Chargers and the home of Super Bowl LVI this past February.
The fixture will in all likelihood be staged at the Banc of California Stadium, a 22,000-seat venue which is currently the home of MLS side Los Angeles FC and which is set to host soccer matches at the 2024 Summer Olympics.
‘We had discussions a few years ago with the NRL about that potential game to open the season in the US,’ Rabbitohs boss Blake Solly told the Sydney Morning Herald.
‘We also have the links to America with owners Russell Crowe and Mike Cannon-Brookes, who has sporting interests [as a part-owner of the NBA’s Utah Jazz] in the US.
‘We’ve always been supporters of an expanded World Club Series, so anything to grow the profile of rugby league and the Rabbitohs we are willing to entertain.’