- The AFL could eventually host competitive games in the US.
- Partnership with Cricket Australia being considered
- NRL draws big crowd for double-header in Las Vegas
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THE AFL is considering partnering with Cricket Australia in a move that could see football matches again in the US.
It follows the NRL’s bold adventure in Las Vegas, which proved a success at Allegiant Stadium last Sunday.
More than 40,000 spectators attended the historic doubleheader, and many interested locals were seen in the crowd in Sin City.
The scenes have prompted the AFL to consider whether they will now follow suit and consider the possibility of another foray into the United States.
The AFL has not played a game in the United States since a 2006 pre-season practice match between North Melbourne and the Sydney Swans at the University of California, Los Angeles.
THE AFL is considering partnering with Cricket Australia in a move that could see the code return to matches in the US (pictured, US-born Collingwood star Mason Cox)
It follows the NRL’s audacious adventure in Las Vegas, which proved a success at Allegiant Stadium last Sunday (pictured, Sea Eagles fullback Tom Trbojevic in action in Las Vegas).
AFL boss Andrew Dillon will be monitoring the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup when it takes place in the United States and the Caribbean in June.
Over the years there have been 15-team matches at Honolulu Stadium and Portland Civic Stadium, while teams such as Geelong, Collingwood and Essendon have played in Miami.
With the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup due to be held in the United States and the Caribbean in June, AFL boss Andrew Dillon confirmed he will monitor the tournament and how well venues are used on game days.
“I’d be interested to know what they’re doing there,” he told AFL Record.
“I think there are opportunities for AFL in the United States at the right time, and there are other opportunities internationally as well.”
His interest in cricket is partly due to the fact that oval fields are in short supply in the United States.
In January, GWS again made it known that they wanted to play a competitive match in the US, and last year sent a member of the club’s staff to explore possible venues.
The plan before COVID was for the Giants to host Essendon in San Francisco or Los Angeles, but the pipe dream was put on hold due to the pandemic.
With direct flights from Sydney to Los Angeles and San Francisco taking less than 14 hours, it is anticipated that a good number of fans will get their passports stamped and support Adam Kingsley’s men in person abroad.
The 2024 AFL season begins on Thursday night when the Swans host Melbourne at the SCG from 7.30pm.