Ivan Cleary wants the World Club Challenge to be revived as part of rugby league’s Las Vegas showcase after seeing his Penrith Panthers side get off to a winning start in the 2025 NRL season.
The reigning champions kicked off their push for a fifth-straight premiership with a 28-22 victory over Cronulla Sharks at Allegiant Stadium, with Betfred Super League kings Wigan Warriors having trounced Warrington Wolves 48-24 at the same venue earlier in the day.
Both making the trip to Vegas to be part of an expanded four-match rugby league showcase denied the opportunity for a rematch of last year’s clash of the champions which saw Wigan take a pulsating 16-12 win at the Brick Community Stadium, but Panthers head coach Cleary is eager to see it back in Sin City next year.
- England still have long way to go after Australia rout in Las Vegas
- Peet: Super League needs annual Las Vegas presence
- Subscribe to rugbyleaguehub.com on YouTube
“I honestly think we should, yeah,” Cleary said. “It’s a shame that game didn’t happen.
“It’s a really good concept. We didn’t have to go last year but we wanted to.
“Even though we lost [in 2024], it was such a good experience. It probably helped us this week to be honest.
“I think that’s a part of rugby league that needs to survive. It’s difficult, but it’s worth trying to make it happen.”
Under current plans, neither Penrith or Wigan would return to the home of the NFL’s Las Vegas Raiders next year due to a desire to showcase other teams on this stage as well.
However, holding the World Club Challenge at Allegiant Stadium would open the door for either if they were to win their respective competitions again.
In any case, Super League is set to return to Las Vegas in 2026 after Wigan and Warrington opened the event on Saturday.
Hull KR and St Helens have both expressed an interest in representing the European competition in America, and Rugby League Commercial managing director Rhodri Jones confirmed there will be Super League involvement again.
“We had the conversation with the NRL earlier this week, they want us to be a part of this event,” Jones told Sky Sports.
“I think the two teams this year and ourselves have proved that we are an integral part of this event so Super League will be back here next year.”
