How Mackay businesses will benefit from NRL semi-finals

The impact of Mackay hosting two NRL semi-finals is not limited to the footy field, with businesses throughout the sugar city set to receive a welcome boost in trading.

More than 12,000 fans will flock to BB Print Stadium on Friday and Saturday night to watch four NRL teams fight for a chance at premiership glory.

The extra seating is set up, dough is being rolled out for 2000 pizza slices and 400 burritos are being prepared to feed the players and their cohort.

Eels fan Christian Morrison, from Shoal Point, is excited about getting tickets to the NRL semi-finals in Mackay on the weekend. Ma's Pizza, where he works, is preparing to sell 2000 slices of pizza during the two semi-final games. Picture: Rae Wilson

The premiership trophy is here in Mackay, having made the rounds of city schools on Thursday and even a sunrise trip to Cape Hillsborough with Johnathan Thurston.

On Friday night, Manly Sea Eagles will take on Sydney Roosters while Penrith Panthers will battle Paramatta Eels on Saturday night.

Both sold-out games will begin at 7.50pm.

Economic Development and Tourism manager Teona Cousin said the million dollar double header had attracted more than 2000 visitors from outside the region according to MECC postcode data.

“Based on them staying 1.5 nights, the economic output is expected to be $1 million,” she said.

Former Cowboys player Antonio Winterstein toured Mackay with the NRL premiership trophy on Thursday, including visiting Disabilities RL participants at the Endeavour Foundation. Picture: Contributed

“But there will be a much greater economic benefit from the national exposure the game will receive.”

The NRL matches will be the first two of five major sporting events in Mackay in the space of 10 days, with Harrup Park hosting three one-day international cricket matches between Australia and India’s women’s teams.

Comfort Resort Blue Pacific owner Nick Uit den Bogaard said events were the “key to attracting people”.

Mr Uit den Bogaard – who is deputy chair for the Queensland advisory board arm of the Accommodation Association of Australia – said the Mackay hotels he had spoken to were at 65-75 per cent occupancy for this weekend.

“It’s better than normal times but none of the hotels in the region are completely full,” he said.

While there are people travelling into Mackay for the weekend of football, Mr Uit den Bogaard said the matches were predominantly “pitched at the local market”.

“We’ve got some bookings from just outside of Rockhampton and they’re coming up for it, but it’s a very small proportion coming from outlying areas,” he said.

“The NRL is a real positive for everybody, especially in Mackay who hasn’t had this level of sport accessible before, but the campaigns have targeted the local market.

Mercy College students lined up for photos with the NRL premiership trophy on Thursday. Picture: Contributed

“Events do bring people and money into town, brings them into the restaurants and the shops.

“It has a very positive flow-on effect, events like the cricket and the rugby league bring a lot of money into Mackay.”

Former Cowboys player Antonio Winterstein toured Mackay with the NRL premiership trophy on Thursday, including visiting Disabilities RL participants at the Endeavour Foundation. Picture: Contributed

Mackay Hospital and Health Service will set up a pop-up Covid vaccination clinic on Friday and Saturday at the Mackay Veterans Support Club opposite BB Print Stadium.

Students from across Mackay had a rare opportunity to “touch and feel” a part of NRL history when the Provan-Summons Trophy toured the region.

Former Cowboys player Antonio Winterstein toured Mackay schools, including Mackay North State High School, with the NRL premiership trophy on Thursday. Picture: Contributed

The coveted trophy awarded to the NRL premiers toured schools in Mackay and Proserpine on Thursday, stopping at Beaconsfield State School, Mercy College, Mackay North and Mackay State High.

Students flocked towards the trophy as it was wheeled in, with Mercy College also welcoming students from St Mary’s primary school to see the trophy.

Mackay North State High School got a visit from the NRL premiership trophy on Thursday. Picture: Contributed

Mercy’s Bailey Caruana said he was excited to be able to touch the trophy.

“It’s crazy how close we’ve been able to get,” he said.

“I’m going for the Chooks, I would love to see Sydney keep winning.”

Former Cowboys player Antonio Winterstein toured Mackay schools, including Mackay State High School, with the NRL premiership trophy on Thursday. Picture: Contributed

Mercy College’s Joe Phelan said he was not as worried about who won, but it was the first time he had seen the trophy.

“I’ve never seen it so close before, I’ve only seen it on TV and in photos and videos,” Joe said.

“It’s so cool to see it right here.”

Beaconsfield State School was the first school to tough the NRL premiership trophy on Thursday. Picture: Contributed

Mercy teacher and St Patrick’s College football coach Michael Comerford said it was a rare opportunity for the students to see the inspiring trophy.

“How great is this, it’s not every day you get the chance to have a look and get so close to the real thing,” Mr Comerford said.

Former Cowboys player Antonio Winterstein toured Mackay schools, including Mackay North State High School, with the NRL premiership trophy on Thursday. Picture: Contributed

“The students get to touch and feel a piece of history, and hopefully use it to strive to one day lift it themselves.”

The Provan-Summons will travel to Cape Hillsborough National Park for a 5am kangaroo-feeding trip with Johnathan Thurston, before making its way to Proserpine on Saturday after the first semi-final in Mackay on Friday night.

Fans also will be able to get a photo with the premiership trophy at the Mackay Veterans Support Club over the weekend.