NRL 2022: Parramatta to make Tigers, Penrith tickets available for members only

For the first time in the history of Australian rugby league the general public will be locked out of attending one club’s home games.

Mitchell Moses celebrates with fans after a Wests Tigers clash last year. Picture: Getty

For the first time in rugby league history, Parramatta will lock out the general public for two massive home games this season because of an expected overwhelming demand for tickets.

Tickets for the Eels’ Easter Monday match against Wests Tigers on April 18 and the club’s round 20 game against Penrith – both to be played at CommBank Stadium – will only be available to Eels members.

The general public will not be able to buy tickets to attend the match – a decision never before introduced in rugby league.

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The big-drawing Wests Tigers fixture will be available only to members. Picture: Getty

Interest in Parramatta has risen to a pre-season high after a 36-0 trial match win over premiers Penrith on Saturday afternoon.

The club is ready to burst through the 30,000 member barrier, sitting at the top of the table for memberships across the NRL.

CommBank Stadium holds around 30,000 fans but there would be between 2000 to 3000 seats unavailable because of corporate hospitality.

Eels management is predicting intense demand for tickets to the Tigers and Panthers games and the club wants members to be placed first.

Mitchell Moses celebrates with fans after a Wests Tigers clash last year. Picture: Getty

Eels CEO Jim Sarantinos said the 30,000 membership milestone was a big one for the club.

“This membership milestone is significant particularly given our change in approach,” Sarantinos said.

“We’ve provided our fans with the complete flexibility to build their own membership packages, placing a greater importance on membership to access our big games including our Easter Monday game against the Tigers and western Sydney blockbuster against the

Panthers.

“Of course, the inclusion of our inaugural women’s team has also contributed to our membership growth.”

Parramatta may open up to the public if ticket sales unexpectedly slow down leading into both matches, but the indications are Parramatta members will clamour for tickets to both games.

The Eels may offer Wests Tigers fans an away stadium bay – which seats between 400 to 500 people – but that also depends on whether Eels members continue pushing hard for tickets.

The Penrith-Parramatta is also proving a hot ticket item. Picture: AAP

Home matches against the Tigers and Panthers are Parramatta’s two most popular matches in the NRL season.

Parramatta will also celebrate its 75th anniversary in rugby league’s top flight when playing Wests Tigers.

Many country-based Eels members travel to Sydney for the Tigers game given it’s the holiday Easter long weekend.

Members-only games may become more common as memberships increase in rugby league.

According to TAB markets, Parramatta sits on the sixth line of betting paying $15 to claim this year’s grand final. The TAB took around $2000 worth of bets within hours of the Eels’ trial victory over Penrith.

“It looks like the fans were impressed with what they saw on Saturday,” said TAB’s Gerard Daffy.

Parramatta has been installed $1.50 favourites for the round one game against Gold Coast ($2.60) at CommBank Stadium on Sunday week.

The Eels looked ultra-impressive on Saturday although Penrith was without at least six stars from last year’s grand final, including Nathan Cleary and Isaah Yeo.

Parramatta players gathered on Sunday to watch the club’s women’s side play Newcastle in the NRLW competition.