Officials from Australia’s National Rugby League (NRL) have arrived in England for discussions with clubs, as a potential investment deal with Super League moves closer to completion. This development coincides with the announcement that Wigan Warriors and Warrington Wolves will play a Super League fixture in Dublin in 2027, with plans for a second game involving Hull FC.
The two premier club competitions have been engaged in talks for much of the current year regarding an arrangement where the NRL would provide a substantial investment to Super League. This investment would also involve the NRL taking control of the competition, aiming to enhance its long-term financial stability. Both leagues had paused discussions while finalising their broadcast agreements.
Investment and Broadcast Updates
The NRL recently concluded an A$5.3bn deal for its broadcast rights. Super League anticipates confirming the structure of its new broadcast deal within the coming week. It is expected that Sky Sports will broadcast two or three games weekly, with other fixtures streamed or shown elsewhere.
Multiple clubs have indicated that they have either been visited by Australian officials or expect a visit soon. This suggests that Australian figures are seeking a deeper understanding of the sentiment among clubs as they evaluate Super League’s investment proposal. Rhodri Jones, a leading Super League official, expressed optimism about significant progress in talks with the NRL over the next seven days, noting that the NRL has made Super League investment its primary focus after finalising its own TV deal.
Dublin Fixtures Planned for 2027
Wigan and Warrington, who previously travelled to Las Vegas with the NRL, have consistently supported Australian investment and governance. Kris Radlinski, CEO of the Warriors, reaffirmed this support during the announcement of their Dublin match against Warrington at Leinster’s RDS Arena on Saturday, 24 April 2027. Radlinski stated that Wigan is “100%” behind the potential NRL deal, highlighting the positive impact of the NRL’s current operations.
The clubs are aiming for a capacity crowd of 20,000 in Dublin. Wigan may enlist the help of Andy Farrell, Ireland’s rugby coach and a former Wigan player, to promote the game. Furthermore, Hull FC is in discussions to move a home game scheduled for Sunday, 25 April, to the same venue, creating a weekend-long event for Super League fans.
RL Commercial CEO Rhodri Jones confirmed that discussions for a second game in Dublin have resumed. This would not be a double-header on Saturday but rather a separate fixture on Sunday, making it a “Dublin weekender” involving four clubs. Hull FC is currently a frontrunner to participate in this second game, with St Helens understood to be a possible opponent. This would require Hull FC to forgo a home game, a financial and fan management decision that Wigan and Warrington have experience with from previous ventures.
Jones expressed confidence in the success of the Dublin trip, citing the destination, timing, and ample planning time for fans. He noted the challenges of organising events like Magic Weekend with 12 teams but believes the two-game Dublin format is well-suited for success.
The planned Dublin weekend in 2027 marks a significant step for Super League, with the first confirmed game between Wigan Warriors and Warrington Wolves set for Saturday, 24 April.
Source: theguardian.com
As News-UK's Sports News Writer, Oscar Pennington reports on rugby union, golf and boxing for readers across the country. He built a reputation for sharp explainer pieces on regional sport. He holds a degree in Journalism from Nottingham Trent University and completed an NCTJ diploma. Oscar lives in Nottingham, where he follows the pro golf tour and amateur boxing. “Context is what turns a result into a story.”
