NRL 2022: Why tens of thousands of fans will miss out on the biggest game of the year

Good luck getting a ticket to BlueBet Stadium next week, with thousands of families set to be locked out of the biggest match of the year.

Thousands of fans won’t be able to attend next week’s game in Penrith. Picture: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images

Andrew Abdo says the NRL has no plans to alter the stadium policy that will lock out tens of thousands of fans from next week’s qualifying final between the Panthers and Eels at BlueBet Stadium.

The ground holds around 22,500 spectators, but that means thousands of families in western Sydney will miss out on what will be just the third meeting between the two rivals in a finals match in the NRL era.

There were 21,548 fans at BlueBet Stadium when the Eels beat the Panthers in round 9. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

One of those games was in Mackay last year and drew a crowd of just more than 6000 to see the Panthers edge Parramatta in an epic elimination final.

Panthers fans and officials will point to finishing first and earning the right to host the game at their fortress.

And while the stadium will provide a terrific atmosphere with not a spare seat in the house, a move to Accor Stadium would allow potentially another 50,000 to attend one of the biggest matches in years.

The problem is the NRL has snookered itself because they’ve already given the green light to Cronulla to host a game next week at PointsBet Stadium, which has a capacity of around 11,500.

“Our current policy in week one of the finals is to reward fans and to reward the clubs that have toiled over 24 home and away fixtures, which is a long season,” NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo said.

“Our current policy in week one is to provide a home ground to a team that has earned that right, and we’re going to stick with that policy.

“It’s a great reward for the club and the fans, and in that particular fixture, no matter the outcome, both those teams get an opportunity to play again.

“Therefore their fans will get a chance to show their colours even if they don’t get a ticket to game one. That’s how we sit at the moment and there are no plans to alter it.”

Penrith celebrate with the JJ Giltinan Shield after wrapping up the minor premiership. Picture: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images

Abdo’s position is that regardless of what happens next week, both the Panthers and Eels will host one more finals match, although Penrith will be forced to play theirs at a bigger ground like Accor or CommBank Stadium.

The NRL is powerless to force them to move next week even though it will cost them a significant amount of money given they rake in the majority of the gate for finals matches.

“Sport isn’t always just about the bottom line,” Abdo said.

“We have to take a bigger picture view to this. From a football perspective and a fan perspective, we believe it’s the right thing to honour the current policy.”

Meanwhile, the Dolphins remain confident of being competitive in their inaugural season in 2023 despite not having signed a marquee player.

Coach Wayne Bennett and chief executive Terry Reader were in Sydney on Friday to present an update to head office, with the club boasting they’ll be in the top two for sponsorship next season, but there was no update on their pursuit of Melbourne’s Cameron Munster.

What was also discussed was who they’d play in round 1 next year, and you can just about rule out a local derby with the Broncos if the newest franchise gets its way.

The Dolphins want to play the Roosters in round 1 next year. Picture: Steve Pohlner

“We actually pitched to the NRL as part of our bid,” Reader said.

“Arthur Beetson is a great and an Immortal of the game, and he was a legend of the Roosters but also the Dolphins. He was a part of our first ever premiership side in 1965.

“Arthur actually wrote in his book that it was his dream to see the Dolphins play the Roosters in the NRL. Arthur’s not with us anymore, but we’d like to bring that to life for his family and for the memory of Arthur.

“That’s what we’ve pitched and we’ve worked with his family and the Arthur Beetson Foundation on that.”