In a tantalizing twist, the British & Irish Lions are contemplating a high-stakes venture—staging a show-stopping fixture in the glittering environs of Las Vegas during their 2029 New Zealand tour. This audacious proposal, whispered in rugby’s inner circles, could see the famed touring side roll the dice on a Sin City spectacle.
While the allure of Los Angeles and the Land of the Rising Sun also beckon, it’s the siren song of Vegas that has the rugby world abuzz. Insiders hint at clandestine discussions between Lions bigwigs and their New Zealand counterparts, as they mull over this enticing detour.
All Blacks’ Growing US Presence
The impetus behind this Vegas gambit? None other than the mighty All Blacks, who are keen to strengthen their burgeoning presence in the US market. With rugby’s global showcase, the World Cup, destined for American shores in 2031, New Zealand’s powerbrokers are eager to plant their flag early.
Polynesian Connection
Vegas, with its proximity to Utah’s substantial Polynesian community, could provide the perfect stage for a clash against a New Zealand XV, likely their Maori All Blacks squad. This tantalizing prospect has the Lions’ faithful dreaming of a glitzy desert duel.
Alternative Destinations
Of course, the bright lights of LA and the Rugby-mad Japanese are not to be discounted. The City of Angels, along with San Francisco and San Diego, are all jostling to host World Cup matches come 2031. A Lions pitstop could serve as a tantalizing preview.
Meanwhile, Japan’s strategic partnership with New Zealand rugby makes it an appealing option for a pre-tour tussle. The Brave Blossoms’ meteoric rise and fervent fan base could provide a stern test for the Lions before they venture into the All Blacks’ lair.
Warm-Up Precedents
This wouldn’t be the Lions’ first pre-tour pitstop. 2013 saw them tangle with the Barbarians in Hong Kong, while Japan served as a warm-up sparring partner in 2021. With Premiership Rugby now granting earlier player release, standalone fixtures are becoming increasingly viable.
Playing a high-profile match in Vegas against a quality New Zealand side would be a massive statement of intent from the Lions. It would showcase their brand to a huge new audience and build momentum heading into the tour proper.
– Anonymous Lions insider
Rugby’s American Gold Rush
The Lions’ Vegas musings are just one facet of rugby’s American gold rush. The US market’s untapped potential has unions and clubs scrambling to stake their claim.
- England will embark on a three-test adventure next summer, facing Argentina twice before a standalone battle with the US Eagles.
- The Nations Cup, rugby’s nascent global showpiece, has earmarked American soil for its 2030 final, following pitstops in London and the Middle East.
- Even Premiership Rugby, dormant Stateside since a sparsely attended 2017 Saracens-Newcastle clash, is eyeing a Chicago return to mark sponsor Gallagher’s centenary in 2027.
As the Lions mull their Vegas venture and rugby’s American revolution gathers pace, one thing is certain—the sport’s landscape is shifting seismically. Will a Sin City sizzler prove a jackpot for the Lions? Only time will tell. But as the old adage goes, fortune favors the bold.
