Ellis shares NFL Las Vegas dream
Kaide Ellis believes playing at the Allegiant Stadium will be a ‘pinch me moment’ with the historic fixture just two weeks away.
Whilst the Warriors’ clash against Warrington Wolves on Saturday 1 March holds significance within Super League history – the first time the competition will be played in the United States – the occasion will tick off a bucket list dream of Ellis’ for individual reasons.
An avid National League Football (NFL) supporter, Ellis will compete on the same pitch as some of the sport’s biggest stars from last year including Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce and Myles Garrett.
“I got into NFL four or five years ago through Fantasy Football with a group of mates from back home,” Ellis revealed. “I learnt the rules through fantasy and ever since I’ve supported the Dallas Cowboys as I knew a few of their players and I didn’t want to jump on the bandwagon.
“I watch matches whenever I can depending on the time, but it’s mainly when I’m back in Australia through the off-season. I was unable to watch the Super Bowl as it was on too late, but as soon as I could I caught up with highlights.”
The 65,000 capacity arena, which staged Super Bowl LVIII between San Francisco 49ers and Kansas City Chiefs last year, will host WWE’s showpiece WrestleMania event a month after the upcoming rugby league takeover. For Ellis, playing at the home of three-time Super Bowl winners, Las Vegas Raiders, will make the occasion extra special.
“It’s an impressive new stadium which hosted the Super Bowl two years ago,” he said. “It’ll be a pinch me moment knowing rugby league will be played on the same pitch as many other prestigious sporting games. The stadium has welcomed many big NFL crowds so it will be incredible seeing all our fans inside the stadium.”
Like others in the Warriors camp, Ellis will not be visiting the United States for the first time. Having toured with a representative basketball team as a teenager, the Dubbo-born sports fanatic spent two weeks travelling with friends in 2018 which included a short-stay in Las Vegas.
“I was 14 when I went on a month-long basketball tour where we played different high schools,” Ellis said. “I went back to America on a boys trip and we finished with three nights in Vegas. Although we didn’t get to experience the whole of Vegas, it’s a city that has a lot to offer.”
A large following in set to support Ellis in Las Vegas, with his total family and friend count at 15. Ellis believes Super League’s involvement in the star-studded event will deliver long-term benefits.
“It will be special to share such a proud moment with those people which adds to the excitement,” he said. “A lot of English supporters travelled last year and adding Super League is massive moving forward. You could see how well the event was run last year and it seems like we are on track to beat that this time around. It will be great day for our sport in general.”
Limited tickets and travel packages remain available for our historic Super League in Las Vegas. With just two weeks to go, don’t miss out by purchasing your tickets online HERE.
