Hull FC are in the driving seat to go to Las Vegas in 2027.
Hull FC coach Andy Last believes a trip to Las Vegas would be an ‘unbelievable’ experience for the club but has also aired a key warning about going stateside.
The Black and Whites, as reported by Hull Live last week, have ‘one foot in the door’ for Vegas 2027, with RL Commercial chief Rhodri Jones stating that Hull look poised to head to the USA the season after next.
With Super League now part of the NRL’s rugby league extravaganza, which runs until 2028 at least, Hull will meet St Helens at Allegiant Stadium if the final sign-off is granted, with Last measured in his weighing up of the venture.
An assistant coach to John Cartwright, Last has no doubt the chance to put Hull on a big stage and soak up the exposure it brings would be brilliant for the club. However, the challenge will come in performance when they return to England and ensuring that they don’t slip off after the travel and limelight of Sin City.
Speaking to Hull Live, Last said: “I can understand the reasons for it. It would be great to be in Vegas and showcase the best of Hull FC. It’s also a great opportunity for the supporters to come over and get behind the team. But I do worry a little bit about the impact that it can have on your season.
“I think we saw that with Wigan this year. They had a great game in Vegas, but they probably didn’t hit the heights of what they’ve done previously after it. Warrington also went to Vegas and their season never really got going off the back of that.
“There’s a little bit of scepticism in there. I think it will be fantastic for the supporters and the club, but from a performance point of view, I just worry a little bit logistically about how it will all play out.
“That’s the challenge for us, but it’s certainly exciting for us as a club that we are being spoken about as one of the clubs who want to go over to Vegas, experience that atmosphere, and get amongst what the NRL are doing over there. It’s exciting.”
Last also revealed conversations with Cartwright about Vegas. The Hull boss went stateside while at Brisbane Broncos in 2024. Interestingly, they didn’t make the NRL play-offs that year after making the Grand Final the year before. They went one better this year, achieving a first Premiership in 19 years. They beat Penrith Panthers in the preliminary final, who themselves took a while to get going after going to Vegas this year.
“Carty was part of the Brisbane team that went over to Vegas and he said it was an unbelievable experience for the players to be a part of,” Last added. “The game was fantastic and it puts rugby league on a massive, massive stage.
“For Hull FC to be in those conversations now just shows once again, I think, how far the club has come in a short space of time. It’s very exciting.”