NRL CEO Andrew Abdo has confirmed that the World Club Challenge is officially back on the calendar after being cancelled last year.
The 2024 edition was scrapped due to scheduling conflicts, with Penrith Panthers facing a tight turnaround that would have seen them play the Challenge before flying to Las Vegas for Round 1 of the NRL season.
The only available dates being February 15 or 16 earlier this year clashed with the Super League’s opening round, leaving organisers with no viable solution.
Back in October, Penrith made it clear they wouldn’t play before the start of the NRL season, and ultimately no agreement was reached with Wigan Warriors.
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However, speaking to the ABC before the NRL Grand Final, Abdo confirmed that the prestigious cross-hemisphere clash will return.
“Yes, we’ll wait and see who wins both competitions and then work with the RFL to facilitate that,” he said.
“In terms of when it’s played and where it’s played, we normally wait until we have both winners and work with both clubs in terms of the scheduling.
“The World Club Challenge is pretty important to the game and quite unique and it’s definitely something we’ll work with the clubs on.”
With Brisbane Broncos representing the NRL, they will face the winner of the Super League Grand Final, which takes place on Sunday (AEDT) between Hull KR and Wigan.
If Wigan lifts the trophy, the door could open for the World Club Challenge to be staged in Las Vegas, adding another major rugby league showcase to the NRL’s growing U.S. presence.
Meanwhile, Hull KR and Leeds Rhinos are among the Super League teams set to play in Sin City, alongside NRL clubs Canterbury Bulldogs, St George Illawarra Dragons, Newcastle Knights, and North Queensland Cowboys.
The Sydney Roosters were the last NRL team to win the World Club Challenge back in 2020.
The event was cancelled in 2021 and 2022 due to COVID-19 before victories by St Helens (2023) and Wigan (2024).
Since becoming an annual fixture in 2000, Brisbane has appeared twice in the World Club Challenge, and lost both times.