The recently established Singapore Rugby League has thrown its hat into the ring to be part of the NRL global round concept first reported earlier this month.
Building on the highly successful international foray into Las Vegas, the expanded concept would see the 2027 NRL season launched with a 24-hour, multi-continent round of nine matches involving all 18 NRL teams.
While initial reports suggested London, Dubai, Hong Kong and a second USA city would likely join Las Vegas as hosts for the matches, Singapore has also entered the conversation—a development sure to bring a smile to the entrepreneurial face of ARLC boss Peter V’landys.
The Singapore Rugby League (SRL) enthusiastically announced its intentions to secure at least one of the global round matches earlier this week.
No rugby league tradition, but huge ambition
“Whilst the Singapore Rugby League is new to the market, the NRL is already well-supported in the country,” it said in a statement.
“The SRL will engage with the NRL in the view of putting forward Singapore as a candidate to host one of the marquee fixtures, highlighting the nation’s world-class infrastructure, strategic location, and rapidly expanding fan base.”
The SRL statement highlighted a range of advantages including the country’s state-of-the-art National Stadium—a 55,000 capacity venue with retractable roof—and a time difference of just three hours with Australia’s eastern seaboard.
“The Singapore Rugby League looks forward to engaging with the ARL Commission to demonstrate Singapore’s readiness to deliver a successful and memorable fixture for the Global Round.”
While Hong Kong and Dubai have been generally considered the most likely Asian host cities should the NRL global round concept come to fruition, Singapore’s interest raises the potential to split more matches across the region.