It’s one last chance to build momentum before the bright lights of Las Vegas.
The Parramatta Eels and Wests Tigers will both feature in Sunday footy this weekend, with the two clubs using the final rounds of the season to sharpen their game before becoming part of the NRL’s show-stopping season opener at Allegiant Stadium in 2027.
For the Eels, the trip to Vegas will come on the back of a promising finish to what has otherwise been a challenging season.
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Jason Ryles’ side has found form late in the year, producing a number of upset wins and showing signs of the exciting brand of football they hope to carry into next season.
Their next test comes against the Dragons at WIN Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
With X-factor across the park, Parramatta have shown in recent weeks they are capable of troubling anyone when they get their game right.
And few players are better suited to the Las Vegas stage than Josh Addo-Carr.
The Flying Fox has been waiting for his opportunity to experience rugby league’s biggest international event and admits playing in Vegas is something he never imagined when his NRL journey began in 2016.
“I have seen all these other teams go over there and do their thing,” Addo-Carr told NRL.com.
“It’s definitely on the bucket list to go over there; hopefully we can get a good turnout with Parramatta supporters.”
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After a 223-game NRL career and four clubs, Addo-Carr still can’t quite believe where rugby league has taken him.
“Never in a million years did I think I’d go to Vegas and play a game,” he said.
For Parramatta, finishing the season strongly could provide the perfect platform heading into a new campaign.
“It’s been a roller coaster year,” Addo-Carr said.
“We’ve got a lot of young guys coming into the squad. We don’t want to make any excuses with all the injuries, but seeing the positives with these young fellas coming in and doing a job as first-grade footballers has been great.
“Hopefully that transitions well for us next season.”
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Parramatta will take on the Titans as part of a triple-header in Las Vegas, with the Tigers playing Melbourne and Super League clubs Bradford and Leigh kicking off the festival of football.
The event continues to generate significant interest from fans in Australia, the UK and USA and travel packages have been popular with supporters since going on sale earlier this year.
After the Eels take on St George Illawarra on Sunday afternoon, the spotlight will shift to the Wests Tigers for the last match of the 2026 regular season.
Their final game against the second-placed Panthers at CommBank Stadium presents a huge challenge, but also an opportunity to finish the year with a statement.
The Tigers’ season started with plenty of promise before their campaign fell away, but a shock victory over the Roosters in Round 25 showed what Benji Marshall’s men are capable of when they put together their best football.
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Now they have one more chance to give their supporters something to take into the off-season and a glimpse of what could be waiting when they head to Las Vegas to begin a fresh chapter in 2027.
Api Koroisau will again be central to their hopes.
The veteran hooker remains one of the key figures in the Tigers’ spine and has the ability to inject energy into their attack.
A win over the Panthers would be a massive upset to finish the year, and the perfect way to build some belief before the Tigers take their talent to Allegiant Stadium.
Sunday’s action might not decide a finals spot for either Vegas-bound side, but with Sin City calling and a new season to look forward to, there is still plenty to play for.
One last Sunday. One last chance to build momentum.
Then it’s time to book the ticket to Vegas.
Be there to experience NRL live in Las Vegas in 2027. Travel packages and tickets are on sale and selling fast. Click here to secure your package before they sell out.
