Women's Origin success inspires calls to take game to Vegas in 2025

The series opener of the Women’s State of Origin series kicked off in spectacular fashion last night, prompting for calls to take the game to Las Vegas in 2025.

Continuing to try and establish rugby league in the American market, the NRL pledged to take games to Las Vegas every year for five years, starting in March of 2024. Given the rise of the NRLW, support for taking a women’s fixture to Vegas has grown, especially considering the record crowds set at last night’s game.

Speaking on SEN 1170 Breakfast, Andrew Voss declared the NRL can not hesitate on taking a women’s clash to Vegas.

“I’ve been pushing for a women’s game at Vegas next year, I think it’s a must,” Voss said.

“It’s either got to be a test match, Australia versus New Zealand, or this NSW versus Queensland women’s Origin. We take our elite, the best of the best in the women’s game, and throw it into the American market.

“How you work it into the schedule I’m not 100 percent sure… these athletes last night have played the high level of origin off the back of having no competition necessarily… can that work in February in Vegas? Because this is the women’s game I would like to take.”

Heading into Game One of the inaugural three-game series, all 17 Queensland players had had the luxury of playing in the BMD Premiership, a state-wide pre-season competition, while four NSW representatives partook in the competition.

The NSW pre-season tournament was delayed, running in conjunction with the NRLW, to act as a reserve grade. Instead, NSW players took part in a seven-week training camp, ultimately leaving Suncorp Stadium with a 1-0 lead having won 22-12.

Commentator Matt Russell was astounded by the continued growth in crowds.

“I loved the fact we had more than 25000 fans at the spiritual home of Origin, Suncorp Stadium, to watch the Maroons host the Blues,” Russell said.

“What about the crowd figures over the years? 10,000 at North Sydney Oval a few years ago was the record… last night 25000, and Game Two at MacDonald Jones Stadium in Newcastle already headed for a sell-out.”

Game Two of the series will be played on the sixth of June.