Club Maitland City’s Sports Bar was buzzing as footy fans packed in to watch the Newcastle Knights deliver a win over the North Queensland Cowboys. The atmosphere was taken up a notch with a special meet‑and‑greet from NRL legend James Maloney, giving fans the chance to get up close with one of the game’s greats.
On Sunday, 1 March, the highly anticipated 2026 NRL season kicked off in Las Vegas - and for fans watching from home, local clubs delivered the next‑best experience.
On Sunday, 1 March, the highly anticipated 2026 NRL season kicked off in Las Vegas — and for fans watching from home, local clubs delivered the next‑best experience.
Adding to the excitement, Canterbury League Club, Club Maitland City, St. George Leagues Club and Wests Illawarra took on the role of Official NRL Vegas Fan Hubs, closely connected to the communities of the teams in action. Each venue delivered a premium fan experience, complete with exclusive giveaways, live radio broadcasts, curated food and drink offers, and special appearances from NRL legends including James Maloney, Hazem El Masri, Beau Scott and Paul McGregor.
Game Day Highlights
There were more fans collectively cheering from local clubs back home, than inside Allegiant Stadium, with clubs across NSW buzzing with NRL Vegas energy on 1 March.
Official NRL Vegas Watch Parties leaned into the Vegas‑style spectacle. Venues including Hornsby RSL and Worrigee Sports brought the action to life with interactive pass‑the‑ball games and prize giveaways, while Wenty Leagues kept the momentum rolling with NRL‑themed photo opportunities. Sports bars at Cardiff RSL and Canterbury‑Hurlstone Park RSL were packed to the rafters, complete with their own special visits from footy legends like Dale Finucane and Mark Carroll — and at Cronulla RSL, fans were treated to a game‑day drop‑in from former NRL player Keith Galloway.
Wests Illawarra brought the heat with a Hellfire Cantina Pop Up Food Truck and a special game-day hot dog menu for fans to indulge in, $5 schooners all day, a Q&A with former Dragons player and coach Paul McGregor, and a LIVE broadcast from SEN’s Brett Kimmorley and Julian King.
At St. George Leagues Club, hundreds of Dragons supporters were treated to a match‑day experience to remember, with club legend Beau Scott dropping in for a live Q&A and fan photo opportunities. The excitement was matched off the field too, as fans enjoyed a special “Slay the Dogs” hot dog menu during the Dragons’ clash with the Canterbury‑Bankstown Bulldogs – a winning combination of footy, flavour and club pride.
At Canterbury League Club, the excitement reached fever pitch as more than 700 passionate Bulldogs fans filled the showroom. A special Elvis performance set the scene before an impressive line‑up of Bulldogs legends, including Hazem El Masri, made a special appearance – and the energy in the room was truly electric as the Bulldogs took out their unforgettable win against the Dragons in a golden point thriller.
To top it all off, two lucky fans who attended an Official Watch Party on the day scored the ultimate prize – a trip for two to NRL Vegas for 2027!
From Las Vegas to local clubs across the state, the season kick‑off proved once again that there’s no better place to experience the NRL than at Your Local Club.
