After missing out earlier this year and won the last three NRL titles, it is believed that the Penrith Panthers are almost guaranteed to be the main attraction for the spectacular next season.

 

The remaining NRL teams would then have three seats available, although some failed to submit their official forms in time.

The Broncos and Titans failed to submit official bids, and the North Queensland Cowboys withdrew, thus the Dolphins are now the front-runners to represent Queensland, according to News Corp.

 

    The Cowboys’ withdrawal surprised many since they were thought to be the favourites to represent Queensland at the time, especially given their strong start to the season. Terry Reader, CEO of the Dolphins, stated, “We are interested.”

 

“We have sent the information the NRL asked for by the due date.

“Our interest is, of course, based on the assumption that the terms and conditions from the NRL to participate will be sufficient to ensure the Dolphins are not worse off for participating, both financially and around our footy program.

“We are still yet to see any of that detail from the NRL in the process so far.

 

“The Dolphins have already shown that we are willing to take matches to expanding markets by playing a match in Perth last year and again this year.”

Set to represent Queensland, this means that there is likely only one spot available after the Panthers and Melbourne Storm are also likely to be in the United States for the season-opener.

 

“We were keen to go but we’ve decided not to put in a submission,” Cowboys boss Jeff Reibel said.

“I called the NRL and explained the reasoning from our perspective.

“I want to make it clear we are totally supportive of the NRL’s strategy for Vegas.

 

“We are certainly keen to go in 2026, so the next 12 months will give us a longer runway to work with our commercial partners to ensure that when we do eventually go to Vegas, it will benefit all our stakeholders.

 

“I was over there this year and there’s no doubt it was a wonderful experience. My feedback to our board was we needed to be part of this, but we also need to be prepared for it, because going to Vegas does come with a lot of logistical planning.

 

“I really hope the concept is here to stay and we’re hoping the NRL has the Cowboys part of Vegas in 2026.”