NRL CEO Peter V’landys visits Asia to source technology for fan hub

NRL CEO Peter V’landys has undertaken a confidential trip to Hong Kong and mainland China, including Guangzhou and Shenzhen, to procure technology for a planned entertainment center known as ‘NRL Land’.

The proposed facility, slated for Alexandria in Sydney, is intended to be an indoor fan hub featuring augmented reality, artificial intelligence simulations of players, watch parties, and four-a-side football. V’landys aims to deal directly with suppliers of high-end technology, such as giant television screens, to reduce costs.

While Hong Kong has been discussed as a potential host for the NRL’s 2028 global round, the primary objective of this trip is the fit-out of the Sydney hub. V’landys has also indicated plans for additional NRL Land locations in Queensland and a traveling roadshow. The trip was conducted with a small delegation, including second-in-command Jacqueline Johnstone, and was kept private from much of the NRL staff and the Australian Rugby League Commission.