The NRL is plotting one of the most ambitious undertakings in Australian sports history, with plans afoot to launch the 2027 season with nine matches in different cities around the world including London, Dubai and Hong Kong.

The historic initiative is being driven by Australian Rugby League Commission chairman Peter V’landys, who on Friday flew to London with NRL chief executive officer Andrew Abdo to kick off a major research mission.

As part of their trip to watch the Kangaroos in the three-Test Ashes series, V’landys and Abdo will hold high-level meetings to determine the viability of the scheme, dubbed Operation Global Round, designed to expand on the success of the Las Vegas venture over the past two years.

The NRL is hoping to strike a similar deal with tourism bodies in each reg

See Full Page