NSW government in talks on one-year deal for NRL grand final in a blow to Suncorp Stadium’s hopes

The NRL grand final is set to stay in Sydney, despite Peter V’landys floating the idea of a Super Bowl-style relocation. But, the deal comes with a catch that should give Queenslanders hope.

The Panthers celebrate with the NRL Premiership Trophy after victory in the 2022 NRL Grand Final match between the Penrith Panthers and the Parramatta Eels at Accor Stadium on October 02, 2022, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

The NSW government is closing in on keeping the NRL grand final for another year as they prepare to stave off multimillion-dollar bids from their Queensland and Victoria rivals.

As the ARL Commission prepares to announce the code’s historic visit to Las Vegas next season, the NRL is on the cusp of securing a twin contractual coup by formalising a deal for this year’s NRL grand final.

The NRL has been locked in talks with the NSW government and it is understood they are edging towards a decision, with Sydney still the firm favourite to retain the game’s showpiece event.

Queensland and Victoria have also expressed an interest in hosting the decider and are waiting in the wings should there be a late change of plan.

ARL Commission boss Peter V’landys is in promising talks with the NSW government on this year’s NRL grand final

However, a final call is expected as early as next week.

It is understood any deal will only be for one year as the game looks to retain some competitive tension in the scrap for grand final day and maximise their financial return.

That means the decider could be up for sale again in 2024, opening the door for Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium and the Melbourne Cricket Ground as ARL Commission boss Peter V’landys investigates a Super Bowl-style relocation of the NRL grand final.

The grand final has only been played outside Sydney on one previous occasion — two years ago when it was hosted at Suncorp Stadium during the Covid crisis after the Telstra Premiership was shifted to Queensland.

The Panthers won the historic Suncorp grand final, beating South Sydney 14-12 before 39,322 fans.

The grand final returned to Sydney last year as the NRL continued talks with the former NSW government over a long-term deal to keep the game at Accor Stadium in return for spending on suburban rugby league grounds.

The Panthers won the historic grand final at Suncorp Stadium in 2021.

Those talks hit a roadblock with the previous government but they have since resumed and look to be heading towards a conclusion that will result in the grand final being played in Sydney this season.

V’landys has held promising talks with NSW premier Chris Minns, edging Sydney closer to victory.

In March, V’landys said the ARL Commission was open to a tender process in the strongest sign yet the NRL grand final could be moved around on a regular basis for 2024 and beyond.

“There is the very real possibility of us exploring an NRL Super Bowl-style option for the grand final,” he said.

“The Victorian government has formally expressed interest and we will never discount Queensland because of what they did for us during Covid.

Homebush’s Accor Stadium has been the traditional home of the NRL grand final.

“We’ve had the grand final at Suncorp Stadium.

“The Super Bowl format works in the NFL and we are going to seriously explore it for the NRL.

“We will always act in the best interests of the game as a whole, so if we can make millions of dollars to put back into pathways and the players, then naturally we will look at it.

“We are about maximising returns for the game, but front-and-centre for me is always the consideration for the fans of the code.

“They are always at the forefront in my mind ... but I will never close the door on an opportunity.”

Originally published as NSW government in talks on one-year deal for NRL grand final in a blow to Suncorp Stadium’s hopes