It is fair to say it has been a surreal week as a whole for Leeds Rhinos and Hull KR – and that is not going to stop when it gets to game day.
The two Super League sides open a bumper day of rugby league action on Saturday with three matches at the 60,000 seater Allegiant Stadium.
Home to the Las Vegas Raiders, it is one of the most high spec, modern stadia in the world, having hosted a SuperBowl, Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour and many more massive events.
It was built as an arena, as an event space, and the task for Leeds and Hull KR is to entertain in the way so many have before on this pitch.
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Thousands of fans congregated on Fremont Street in Las Vegas in the build up to Hull KR vs Leeds Rhinos. Watch the match live on Sky Sports on Saturday February 28 from 11pm.
For Chris Hankinson, it is an opportunity that will only sink in once the dust settles.
“It is surreal. Everyone says to soak it up but I think it is a bit hard to because it is so overwhelming,” the Rhinos centre said.
“Even last night on Fremont Street with that crowd – the Leeds fans were surrounding where we came off so you just got hit by Hull KR coming through, which was great.”
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Ash Handley and Elliot Minchella speak to Brian Carney as the Super League takes over Fremont Street in Las Vegas ahead of Hull KR’s clash with Leeds Rhinos, on Saturday.
Hankinson has been in stellar form in pre-season and the opening two matches for Leeds, really impressing fans and his head coach.
However, he drops to the bench for the Vegas clash as captain Ash Handley makes his return from injury.
Head coach Brad Arthur commended Hankinson on how well he had taken the decision, and the player himself says he is used to playing such a role.
“I have had it before at a previous club so it is not something I am unfamiliar with,” he added. “Team-first is the way it has to be always.”
The chance to shine on Saturday is also an intriguing one for Harry Newman, who is in his last year with Leeds before heading to new NRL franchise Perth Bears for 2027.
While he knows it is an opportunity to impress the hordes of players, coaches, and spectators over from Australia, he says he is staying focused on doing his job for his current club.
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Peter V’landys, Chairperson of the Australian Rugby League Commission, has praised the impact the games being played in Las Vegas have had on the competition.
“Obviously it is going to be a tough game against the world champions Hull KR,” Newman said.
“I am looking forward to it. We are confident as a group and we are looking to put in our best performance.
“There are a lot of people from the NRL here so it would be nice to go out and play well, but my first priority is playing well for Leeds and finishing off in the way that I would like to.
“I think Lachie (Miller) will go well on this track, Jake (Connor) will steer us around the park.
“We have got some outstanding players but so have they as well, so it should make for a great entertaining game.”
2026 Super League – key dates and what to look out for
- Rugby League in Las Vegas: Sat Feb 28: Hull KR vs Leeds Rhinos, 11pm (Sky Sports)
- Super League’s 30th birthday: Thu Mar 26: Castleford Tigers vs Bradford Bulls, 8pm (Sky Sports)
- Rivals Round: April 3-April 5
- Super League in Paris: Sat Jun 6: Catalans Dragons vs Wigan Warriors (Paris), 6:30 UK (Sky Sports)
- Magic Weekend: July 4-July 5
- Rivals Round reversed: July 23-July 26
- Elimination Play-offs: September 19-September 20
- Play-off semi-finals: September 26-September 27
- Grand Final: October 3, Old Trafford.
Sky Sports will again show every game of the Super League live this season – including two matches in each round exclusively live, with the remaining five matches each week shown on Sky Sports+
