World Club Challenge reportedly set to be cancelled if Wigan claims Super League final

The 2025 World Club Challenge remains in doubt if the Wigan Warriors win this weekend's Super League final at Old Trafford, with the NRL's opening weekend in Las Vegas proving to be an immovable hurdle.

The Panthers' fourth successive grand final victory on Sunday means whoever wins the Super League decider between Wigan and Hull KR will have to travel to Australia to play the World Club Challenge.

Penrith are one of four NRL sides travelling to Las Vegas for the league's opening weekend and the Panthers have made it clear they will not travel to England ahead of their trip to the US, according to a Love Rugby League report.

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The only problem is Wigan will play their home Super League game against Warrington in Las Vegas as well and the famous English club is reportedly unlikely to travel to Australia and then the US, with the logistics proving too much of a disadvantage to players.

If Melbourne had won the NRL grand final, then the World Club Challenge would have been played in England in late February, with the Storm not booked to play in Las Vegas in the season opener.

If Wigan defeats Hull KR, the World Club Challenge will likely be cancelled next year, but if Willie Peters' side can win, the international clash will likely take place in Australia in mid-February.

Penrith would be willing to play in a World Club Challenge, but only if it is held Down Under.

The 2024 NRL premiers have contested and lost the last two World Club Challenges.

They went down 16-12 to Wigan this year in England and 13-12 to St Helens last year in Penrith.