V'landys Makes Secret Trip to Hong Kong for NRL Land

Executive chairman sources tech for Sydney fan hub as global round plans loom

By LineZotpaper AI staff

Published28 October 2026

Read Time2 min

Sources2 outlets

NRL executive chairman Peter V'landys has travelled to Hong Kong and China on a private trip that sources say is primarily aimed at buying equipment directly from suppliers for his planned NRL Land entertainment centre in Sydney, though the visit has also sparked speculation about advancing the code's global round concept.

V'landys departed Australia last week accompanied by deputy Jacqueline Johnstone and two other NRL staff, marking his first overseas trip since assuming the executive chairmanship last month. The delegation's itinerary was kept from many NRL staff and members of the Australian Rugby League Commission, some of whom only learned of the trip on Tuesday when it was reported in the Herald.

According to sources with knowledge of the travel plans, the primary objective is procuring technology such as giant television screens for NRL Land. By dealing directly with manufacturers in Guangzhou and Shenzhen, the delegation expects to achieve significant cost savings, sources said. V'landys declined to comment on the trip when contacted, citing commercial sensitivities.

NRL Land has previously been described by V'landys as a 'theme-style rugby league world' where fans can interact with AI-simulated players, attend watch parties and play four-a-side football. He has announced plans for a separate facility in Queensland and a travelling roadshow version.

The visit to Hong Kong, a favoured candidate for the NRL's proposed global round in 2028, has raised questions about whether V'landys is also scouting venues. The new Kai Tak Sports Park with a capacity of 50,000 was designed by Populous, the architects behind several NRL stadiums. Hong Kong's government has also injected HKD1.2 billion ($217 million) into a sports fund to attract international events.

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Analysis

Why This Matters

The trip represents a hands-on approach by the new executive chairman to maximise value from the NRL's $5.3 billion broadcast deal.
NRL Land signals a strategic bet on physical fan engagement and new revenue streams outside traditional match-day attendance.
The secrecy surrounding the visit highlights the competitive sensitivity of the NRL's international expansion plans and major capital projects.

Background

Peter V'landys became executive chairman of the Australian Rugby League Commission last month, succeeding the previous administration. He was a key figure in securing the NRL's lucrative broadcast rights deal.
The NRL Land concept was first floated as an immersive fan attraction, leveraging augmented reality and AI to simulate player interactions.
The NRL already stages a regular season launch in Las Vegas. V'landys has proposed a "global round" in 2028, which could see matches played in multiple international cities on the same weekend, with Hong Kong, London and Tokyo mentioned as possible hosts.

Key Perspectives

Peter V'landys: Has pitched NRL Land as an innovative attraction that will bring fans closer to the sport through AI and augmented reality, describing a space where visitors can "speak to a player and he'll be able to answer all you're questions. It's all AI".
Sources with knowledge of the trip: Characterised the journey primarily as a cost-cutting procurement mission to buy fittings for NRL Land directly from Asian manufacturers, bypassing supply chain markups.

What to Watch

Whether V'landys returns with a formal agreement to host the 2028 global round in Hong Kong, capitalising on the city's new sports fund and Kai Tak Sports Park.
Further detail on the scale and cost of the Alexandria NRL Land project as planning progresses.
Internal ARLC reaction to the level of secrecy surrounding the new chairman's overseas delegation.

Sources

V’landys sets off on secret trip to Hong Kong, China for ‘NRL Land’ · The Sydney Morning Herald
V’landys sets off on secret trip to Hong Kong, China for ‘NRL Land’ · The Age

Checked

12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 6 supported.

Show each claim

SupportedV’landys made a secret trip to Hong Kong and China to buy equipment for NRL Land.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “Peter V’landys has set off on a secret visit to Hong Kong and China to buy equipment for the NRL-themed entertainment centre he is planning to open in Sydney.”
SupportedThe trip’s primary purpose was to source equipment for the Sydney fan hub.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “the primary purpose of the Asian jaunt was not to lock in the city as a host but to fit out his planned “NRL Land”.”
Partly supportedThe trip was also about advancing the NRL’s global-round concept.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “It was unclear whether any meetings were being set to advance his global round ambitions while he was in Hong Kong.”
Partly supportedV’landys travelled on a private trip.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “Peter V’landys has set off on a secret visit to Hong Kong and China”
Not in the sourcesV’landys departed Australia last week.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “The trip is his first outside Australia since becoming the game’s executive chairman last month.”
SupportedThis was V’landys’ first overseas trip since he became executive chairman last month.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “The trip is his first outside Australia since becoming the game’s executive chairman last month.”
SupportedV’landys was accompanied by deputy Jacqueline Johnstone and two other NRL staff.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “He is being accompanied by second-in-command Jacqueline Johnstone and two other NRL staffers.”
Partly supportedThe itinerary was kept from many NRL staff and commission members.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “NRL staff were unaware where he was, and some members of the Australian Rugby League Commission only learned about it when they read in the Herald on Tuesday that he was overseas.”
Partly supportedSources said the delegation expected significant savings by buying directly from manufacturers.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “sources said the NRL could save significantly by dealing directly with suppliers of products such as giant television screens and other technology”
SupportedV’landys described NRL Land as a “theme-style rugby league world”.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: ““It’s a theme-style rugby league world, where you’re going to have augmented reality and you’re going to have simulated players etcetera.”
SupportedHong Kong is a favoured candidate for the proposed 2028 global round.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “Hong Kong has been considered a favoured destination for the NRL’s proposed global round in 2028.”
Partly supportedHong Kong’s government has injected HKD1.2 billion into a sports fund to attract international events.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “Chan announced $HKD1.2 billion ($217 million) would be injected into Hong Kong’s sports fund which he said would be in part spent on attracting international sports events”