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The revelation comes as the Bulldogs are now touching down en masse in Las Vegas with what constitutes the largest ever travelling crew for the NRL showcase \u2013 with almost 90 players and staff set to be joined over the next few days by several thousand members of the famed Bulldogs Army. <\/p>\n
Following a significant club overhaul involving Bulldogs GM Phil Gould and head coach Cameron Ciraldo, Canterbury will use the week to show why – on and off the field – they can be part of the first ever NRL game in the Middle East, where local government officials have reportedly already offered $1.5 million for a game.<\/p>\n
NRL aiming to extend global reach | 00:49<\/p>\n
Currently, Warburton and Bulldogs chairman Adam Driussi are also themselves finishing off a whirlwind six days in San Francisco and Los Angeles, which has included strategic meetings with the San Francisco 49ers, Anaheim Ducks, Reddit, Red Bull, Intuit Dome, Salesforce, and SoFi Stadium.<\/p>\n
The Canterbury boss also confirmed he has spoken with V\u2019landys about being at the forefront of a proposed NRL Global Round concept, declaring of an opening round game in the Middle East: \u201cWe\u2019d look at that for next year\u201d.<\/p>\n
Elsewhere, Sunday\u2019s Las Vegas blockbuster also doubles as the official launch of the Bulldog\u2019s new logo, while the club\u2019s star athletes like Stephen Crichton and Lachie Galvin are part of an exciting move that will see their surnames splashed large across the back of playing strips. <\/p>\n
Apart from having the largest NRL playing squad on the ground in Las Vegas this year, or most front office staff, Canterbury also compose the biggest percentage of travelling fans \u2013 hundreds of whom will be walking to Sunday\u2019s Allegiant Stadium blockbuster en masse, and supported by an American marching band.<\/p>\n
As part of a massive Las Vegas event, the Bulldogs face St George Illawarra in the top game of a day that also sees North Queensland against Newcastle and English Super League sides Hull KR and Leeds doing battle. <\/p>\n
Sitting among the top five in TAB premiership betting, Canterbury aren\u2019t simply looking to win two competition points in the world\u2019s entertainment capital, but prove themselves ready \u2013 in every sense — to springboard into other international opportunities.<\/p>\n
Reece Robson: ‘Came out second best!’ | 06:38<\/p>\n
MIDDLE EAST<\/p>\n
Already, ARLC Chairman Peter V\u2019landys has made no secret of his desire for a Global Round, which would not only involve games in other US cities like Miami, but destinations including London, Japan, Hong Kong and the Middle East.<\/p>\n
When it comes to financial incentives, there is no doubting the potential of that last destination on the list — where the money already being dished up for sporting goliaths like F1, LIV Golf, UFC, FIFA World Cup, even marquee boxing events is huge.<\/p>\n
Enter the Bulldogs.<\/p>\n
Given Canterbury boasts one of the most diverse fanbases anywhere in Australian sport, Warburton revealed he has already spoken with V\u2019landys about potentially taking a game to the Middle East in 2027. <\/p>\n
NRL 2025 SF Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs v Penrith Panthers – Lachlan Galvin try cele. NRL PHOTOSSource: The Daily Telegraph<\/p>\n
\u201cOur fan base comes from all over the globe – so why wouldn\u2019t the Bulldogs be the trendsetters on a global perspective?\u201d Warburton said.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs for a game in the Middle East, we would look at that for next year.<\/p>\n
\u201cObviously the temperatures over there at the times they\u2019re talking about are serious, so it would have to involve an indoor stadium with the temperature controlling and so on.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut we have already spoken about the idea.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Bulldogs famously boast a strong Arabic fanbase, and have long tied into those connections with events like hosting an annual Iftar — the evening meal with which Muslims end their daily Ramadan fast at sunset, and at the time of the evening prayer.<\/p>\n
Bulldogs great Hazim El-Masri has also long been considered a Muslim trailblazer, while some 60% of residents within the Canterbury local government area speak a language other than English when at home.<\/p>\n
Back in November, the Brisbane Broncos also revealed they had been invited to play last weekend\u2019s World Club Challenge against Hull KR in the Middle East \u2013 with government officials reportedly willing to pay up to $1.5 million for the game.<\/p>\n
While Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates were all discussed as possible hosts, the deal fell over due to logistics around Hull KR also having to play in Las Vegas this weekend.<\/p>\n
NRL Wrap: Hope for Titans after big win | 02:37<\/p>\n
LAS VEGAS TAKEOVER<\/p>\n
More than boasting the biggest playing squad of all four NRL teams, or having every one of their front office staff travelling to Las Vegas, the Bulldogs are also tipped to have the biggest contingent of travelling fans \u2013 which includes Old Boys like Terry Lamb, Willie Mason, James Graham and Josh Reynolds.<\/p>\n
On game day, the club is organising all fans to meet inside the Mandalay Bay casino — at the House of Blues bar \u2013 and then walk, in their thousands, to the ground accompanied by an American marching band.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo it\u2019s Burwood Road, Belmore becoming Las Vegas Boulevard,\u201d Warburton said, grinning. \u201cOr Fremont Street.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur fans love celebrating, and they\u2019ll be doing that.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe also know that all of our fans back home in Australia will be watching along too, and as part of an audience that will be twice that of a regular game.\u201d<\/p>\n
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – NewsWire Photos FEBRUARY 19, 2026: Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs players including coach Cameron Ciraldo arrive at the International Airport on Thursday ahead of their game in Las Vegas. Picture: NewsWire \/ Nikki ShortSource: News Corp AustraliaSYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – NewsWire Photos FEBRUARY 19, 2026: Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs players including Lachlan Galvin (right) arrive at the International Airport on Thursday ahead of their game in Las Vegas. Picture: NewsWire \/ Nikki ShortSource: News Corp AustraliaSYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – NewsWire Photos FEBRUARY 19, 2026: Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs players arrive at the International Airport on Thursday ahead of their game in Las Vegas. Picture: NewsWire \/ Nikki ShortSource: News Corp AustraliaSYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – NewsWire Photos FEBRUARY 19, 2026: Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs players arrive at the International Airport on Thursday ahead of their game in Las Vegas. Picture: NewsWire \/ Nikki ShortSource: News Corp Australia<\/p>\n
WHY NOW<\/p>\n
Since signing on as Bulldogs head coach in 2023, Cameron Ciraldo has slowly, and deliberately, transformed a roster that has now played finals football for the past two years and shapes as a genuine title contender in 2026.<\/p>\n
Warburton admits that while the club simply wasn\u2019t ready to be part of NRL Las Vegas in its first two years \u2013 and for a number of factors \u2013 the timing is now right to announce themselves ready for this and any future Global Round push.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs a club, we not only wanted to go over to Las Vegas confident we had a team to make the club proud \u2013 that was key \u2013 but also with stability everywhere: players, coaching staff, board, everything,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe wanted to ensure we had a clear direction in where the club is heading.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s always been important.<\/p>\n
\u201cTo go over to America and put the club on show to such a large audience, we\u2019ve had to make sure the timing is right.\u201d<\/p>\n
Knights not bothered by pre-season form | 02:27<\/p>\n
JERSEYS<\/p>\n
Canterbury will be the only side showcasing players\u2019 surnames on the backs of their jerseys in Las Vegas, with every player also set to receive an earn every time one of their unique jumpers is bought by a fan.<\/p>\n
The one-off concept has already been signed off by both the NRL and RLPA, with Warburton stressing his motivation for the concept, now commonplace in so many other sports, is a simple one.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s what the fans want,\u201d he said. \u201cWe\u2019ve done surveys where 97 per cent of respondents have told us these jerseys are what they\u2019re after.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve also had something like 75% of fans saying they would buy a second jersey, due to having multiple favourite players.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt also makes players instantly recognisable, while better exposing them to new audiences.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd if we sell, say, 500 jerseys with Stephen Crichton\u2019s name on the back, he gets a clip from each one.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo it\u2019s also putting money back into the pockets of players by commercialising their IP \u2013 their family, their heritage, history and everything that comes with that.\u201d<\/p>\n
Already, the Dogs have sold over 1000 jerseys with players\u2019 names on the back, and are more than happy to use them \u201cagain and again\u201d should the NRL see value in the data this trial produces.<\/p>\n
Vegas bound? Burton cleared of tear | 00:30<\/p>\n
NEW LOGO<\/p>\n
Sunday\u2019s showcase also doubles as the first NRL game for the club\u2019s new logo. <\/p>\n
Unlike the old badge, where the Bulldog image only comprised half the space, the club\u2019s bold, new design takes up 98% of the property \u2013 while still maintaining that circular style of the 1980s, and that same CB that has sat on the collar since 1935. <\/p>\n
While there has undeniably been debate around the change, Warburton stressed the new logo is undeniably bold, immediately identifiable, and key to bringing even more fans into what has long been \u2018The Family Club\u2019.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd this weekend\u2019s game is a huge stage to launch on,\u201d he said. \u201cWhich was never the plan, funnily enough.<\/p>\n
\u201cAll new logos must be submitted to the NRL 18 months before being announced, so they can go through trademarking and licensing.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut Las Vegas is definitely a great place for our first NRL game showcasing a logo we\u2019re incredibly proud of. And it doesn\u2019t matter if you\u2019re seeing it on the big screen at Allegiant Stadium or on Instagram, you\u2019re going to know immediately what it is.\u201d<\/p>\n
FRONT OFFICE<\/p>\n
Apart from his own crazy run of meetings, Warburton confirmed the Bulldogs entire front office will be on the ground in Las Vegas to not only help ready the team, but roll through a range of meetings and tours themselves with the likes of Allegiant Stadium and UFC Performance Institute.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re a people business,\u201d the chief executive said. \u201cOur number one expense is our people and we\u2019re proud of that.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo attracting the best people, and retaining them \u2013 both on and off the field \u2013 is how you set up a successful club. And that\u2019s how Canterbury has always worked towards.\u201d<\/p>\n
Soon after, Warburton continued: \u201cWe\u2019ve got a competitive landscape, on and off the field, with our NRL counterparts \u2013 let alone the rest of the domestic market \u2013 and we\u2019re conscious of that.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd it\u2019s why everything we do has to be of the highest standard.\u201d<\/p>\n
Which is why this weekend the Bulldogs jerseys will have new logos on the front, players names on the back, and be filled by the types of men both Gould and Ciraldo feel can go all the way to an NRL title.<\/p>\n
So as for what, outside two competition points, the Bulldogs boss is looking forward to most?<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s a good question,\u201d he said, \u201cbecause there\u2019s so much I\u2019m looking forward to.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut really?<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s giving Las Vegas a taste of the Bulldogs.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The Canterbury Bulldogs have declared themselves ready for Peter V\u2019landys\u2019 bold launch into the Middle East as soon…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":497510,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[568],"tags":[64,63,761,762,158,85],"class_list":["post-497509","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-nrl","tag-au","tag-australia","tag-national-rugby-league","tag-nationalrugbyleague","tag-nrl","tag-sports"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/497509","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=497509"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/497509\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/497510"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=497509"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=497509"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=497509"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}