NSW Government hits back at suggestions the NRL decider could head north
The latest salvo in the stadium wars has been fired by the NSW Government, saying it is ludicrous to suggest the new 63,000 seat Olympic showpiece in Brisbane could lure the NRL grand final away from Sydney.
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The NSW Government has rejected suggestions the NRL grand final could be lost to Queensland when a new Olympic stadium opens for the 2032 Brisbane Games.
In the latest stadium wars development, a spokesperson for Sports Minister Steve Kamper dismissed the emergence of a 63,000-seat venue in Brisbane as a threat to Sydney’s historic grip on the premiership decider.
The Daily Telegraph has revealed today how a need for the Queensland Government to deliver ongoing content for the new stadium – before and after the Olympics – will bring the NRL grand final into its crosshairs.
But a NSW Government spokesperson said: “Let’s be clear – Queensland is not getting ahead; they are simply trying to catch up.
“This new Victoria Park Stadium only has 7,500 more seats than Suncorp. It doesn’t have any unique features like a roof. From our perspective it really doesn’t change their commercial offering that much.
“The idea that Suncorp 2.0 is going to rip away the grand final is ludicrous.
“At the end of the day NSW is the home of Rugby League. Consecutive governments invested millions in grassroots facilities, suburban stadiums and community centres of excellence.”
The NSW Government announced on Sunday the retention of the premiership decider for 2025.
It is understood discussions are also underway between the government and the Australian Rugby League Commission to seal a long-term partnership for the NRL men’s and women’s grand finals to stay in Sydney.
But sources have told this masthead Queensland will need to “steal major events, they will need to make money on the stadium” and the NRL decider will be a primary target.
Concerned Sydney sports and business leaders have called on the Minns Government to urgently address ageing grandstands at the SCG and place a roof on Accor Stadium or run the risk of losing major events to states with more contemporary infrastructure.
Brisbane’s new Olympic stadium will add to a clutch of venues across the country that post-date Accor Stadium in Sydney and the majority of stands at the SCG.
Perth’s 60,000 seat Optus Stadium opened in 2018, the redeveloped Adelaide Oval with a 53,500 capacity came online in 2014, and a roofed stadium in Tasmania will be ready in 2029 to house a new AFL team.
Originally published as NSW Government hits back at suggestions the NRL decider could head north
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