The Sydney Roosters have expressed interest in becoming the first NRL side to play in Japan as part of the NRL's ambitious Global Round experiment in 2028.
News Corp is revealing the tri-colours are firming to make history and make the trip to Japan for Global Round after the success the Las Vegas endeavour has brought to the NRL.
Sin City has been a recent venture engineered by the NRL, introduced in 2024 on a five-year deal to take the season opener to the iconic city in Nevada.
The Roosters were one of the four sides who took part in the inaugural fixture, and are raising their hands for more international action to strengthen the code in foreign areas.
The NRL was keen to go ahead with the plans for next year, but has instead pushed it back to 2028 with a major focus on Japan and Hong Kong as locations for the international push.
The Vegas deal with the Nevada government expires in 2028, and they will look to keep the foot on the pedal to tap into foreign sports markets by continuing in Asia.
It is understood the Roosters and the Brisbane Broncos were pushing heavily to be the initial teams to play in Vegas in 2024, and shape up as a likely fixture when it is taken to Asia.
Reports have suggested England is also in the long-term plans for Global Round, while Miami is a space the NRL is looking into down the line.
South Sydney and Manly went face-to-face to create history in the first NRL match played over the Pacific in the first year of Vegas, while Broncos and Roosters followed in a doubleheader, met with plenty of praise for the code's head honchos.
The fourth year will kick off in February with a triple header, with Melbourne Storm and Wests Tigers facing off, followed by the Parramatta Eels facing the Gold Coast Titans.
The Super League will continue its involvement with the Bradford Bulls hosting the Leigh Leopards, with plenty of British fans making the trip across the pond to get among the festivities.
