Cowboys Leagues Club carpark to be the excitement epicentre for footy finals clash

A proud tradition is returning to the Cowboys Leagues Club when footy fans are welcomed into its carpark for the massive NRL final between the Cowboys and Sharks. See our historic pics.

Cowboys fans watch the big game at the Cowboys Leagues Club car park party on Sturt Street, Townsville. LR Daniel Luxton and Duncan Clauson. Picture: Zak Simmonds

The Cowboys Leagues Club will be looking to wind back the clock to one of the greatest days in the proud North Queensland club’s history as they try to draw an immense crowd into the beating heart of the city for the Cowboys do-or-die clash with Cronulla on Friday night.

The Leagues Club will be hosting an immense Carpark Party, hoping to bring about scenes reminiscent of the 2015 Grand Final as they roll out the outdoor TV screen for fans unable to get down to Sydney and show their support in person.

In 2015, the event saw a roaring crowd go wild in the city’s CBD after Johnathan Thurston slotted a late field goal to clinch the Cowboys first-ever premiership, and this year that same packed venue will be looking to see the Cowboys take one step closer to another grand final.

Flights for the must-win blockbuster between the Sharks and Cowboys have been sold out, with a crowd of 25,000 estimated already for this evening’s game, but plenty of others will be cheering the Cowboys on from the carpark at the Cowboys Leagues Club as they throw open their gates to all who bleed blue and gold.

Gates to the party open at 5pm, with free entry for everyone who attends. The open-air experience will see the game beamed onto an immense outdoor TV screen with food and drinks available for purchase.

Cowboys fans watch the big game at the Cowboys Leagues Club car park party on Sturt Street, Townsville. Picture: Zak Simmonds

Kids rides and face painting will be on deck from 6pm, with the Cowboys cheer squad and mascots also providing live entertainment up until kick-off at 7.50pm.

Cowboys Leagues Club business development manager Helen Smyth encouraged all supporters, visitors and locals to be a part of this very special event in the city.

Cowboys fans packed the carpark behind the Cowboys Leagues club to watch their team smash the Sydney Roosters (L) Megan Finch of Alice River and Kristy Ralph of Gold Coast watch on.

“The Car Park Party will be an incredible opportunity for supporters of all ages to come together in what promises to be an amazing atmosphere, have some fun and show your support for our North Queensland Toyota Cowboys. We hope they can hear us cheering all the way down in Sydney,” Ms Smyth said.

“The Car Park Party is a longstanding tradition for the Cowboys Leagues Club during NRL Finals and is something that we always have a lot of inquiries about from the local community and beyond.

Megan Morris, Hayley Pratt, Holly Krogh and Helen Smyth gear up for the big game.

“It’s definitely a very special and unique event for North Queensland, and undoubtedly the next best thing to seeing the game live. If – or I should say when – the Cowboys win this Friday, we’ll be backing it up with another Car Park Party, all the way to the grand final.”

The carpark of the Cowboys Leagues Club for the NRL grand final.

Cowboys fans packed the carpark behind the Cowboys Leagues club last night to watch their team smash the Sydney Roosters to now go on and play the Grand Final against Melbourne Storm next weekend. Brontie Regazzoli with kids Heath 5yo and Paige 6yo of Mt Low.

Cowboys fans packed the carpark behind the Cowboys Leagues club.

Originally published as Cowboys Leagues Club carpark to be the excitement epicentre for footy finals clash