Four weeks of footy as Queensland finally gets grand final

Queensland is gearing up to host a festival of football after scoring the NRL grand final in an incredible coup that’s set to pump upwards of $20m into the economy.

Queensland will put its stamp on a history-making NRL grand final, with plans to turn Brisbane’s famed Caxton St into a festive hub, a statewide tour of the grand final trophy and a call-out to local bands to provide game-day entertainment.

The state will bask in four weekends of rugby league heaven, with finals across regional centres this week before Mackay hosts two semi-finals next week.

Suncorp Stadium will then host two preliminary finals before the grand final, the first to be held outside of Sydney, will be played there on October 3.

Taxpayers will pay $4.6m for the final, which is tipped to add $20m to the state economy.

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Declaring it a historic deal, Annastacia Palaszczuk said never in her lifetime did she think the final would be played in the Sunshine State.

“This state loves its rugby league,” the Premier said.

“It’s a tremendous gesture from the NRL and will provide an economic boost spread over our regional cities.”

The deal with the NRL also guarantees two premiership games per year will be played in regional Queensland during the 2022 and 2023 seasons.

Sports Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said the final series would take a “distinctly Queensland flavour”.

“We want to make sure regional Queenslanders are front and centre of the final’s celebration,” he said.

“Not only are we delivering finals matches in the regions but everybody will be able to grab a glimpse of the prized Provan-Summons trophy, with a tour starting in the Far North and making its way to Suncorp Stadium before Queensland’s history-making NRL grand final.”

Plans were also being considered to turn Caxton St, near Suncorp, into a league festive hub.

In recognition of the difficulties the pandemic has presented for the state’s musicians, local talent was also being sourced for the pre-match and halftime entertainment.

Queensland NRL fans Oliver Godwin 9, Sebi Hoyland-Gray 8, Richie Mcilwain 7, and Tommy Mcilwain 10, are excited for the chance for Suncorp to host this year’s NRL grand final. Picture: Lachie Millard

NRL head of football Graham Annesley said without Queensland it would not have been possible for the season to be completed.

“We really want to give back to the people of Queensland as well, not just with the grand final.”

Mr Annesley said the inclusion of regional games in the final series was the NRL’s way of saying thank you.

Tommy McIlwain, 10, said he was at the grand final in 2015 and hopes for a similar experience.

“I am so happy the grand final is in Brisbane because it means I might have a chance to go to the game,” he said.

Tickets for the final will go on sale to NRL club members on September 15 from $45, while the general public can purchase from September 16.