NRL Sharks & Panthers Take Vegas: The Hangover 4 Film Practically Writes Itself

Liam Montgomery | Sports Reporter | Sutherland Shire Gazette

20 February 2025

In what can only be described as a bold (some might say reckless) decision, the NRL has officially confirmed that the Cronulla Sharks and Penrith Panthers will kick off the 2024 season in Las Vegas on Saturday, March 1—because apparently, taking two of the rowdiest fan bases in rugby league and dropping them into the world's biggest 24-hour party city seemed like a great idea.

To ensure maximum chaos, travel packages have been enthusiastically pushed to Sharks and Panthers fans, offering direct charter flights to Vegas and accommodation in a casino hotel—because nothing says "responsible sports tourism" like a 17-hour flight, an all-you-can-drink casino bar, and a game that doesn’t even start until after most fans have lost their rent money at the blackjack tables.

Naturally, comparisons to The Hangover have been impossible to ignore. One Hollywood insider has even suggested that this trip could be the perfect material for The Hangover 4. Just swap the baby for a drunken halfback, replace Mike Tyson with a confused Andrew Johns, and instead of a missing groom, the search party will be trying to locate the Sharks' team bus, last seen parked outside a dubious-looking chapel at 3 AM.

Meanwhile, NRL officials have been quick to assure the public that this will be a well-behaved, professional sporting event—which is exactly what they said before Todd Carney thought urinals were for drinking, or before another NRL player took a dump in a teammate’s shoe. But sure, Vegas will be different.

As for the players? They’ve been given strict guidelines about staying out of trouble. But let’s be honest—if Vegas can break Hollywood’s most seasoned party animals, what chance do a bunch of footy players have?

NRL Sharks Panthers Vegas Hangover 4 film