Businesses buzzing ahead of NRL clash and Anzac Day weekend

The buzz of the Eels and Broncos arriving in town already follows what has been a promising lead up to the dry season’s first major event.

The Brisbane Broncos and Parramatta Eels landed in Darwin on Wednesday. Picture: Scott Davis

THE buzz of the Eels and Broncos arriving in town yesterday already follows what has been a promising lead up to the dry season’s first major event.

Hospitality NT chief executive Alex Bruce said venues were preparing for a busy Anzac Day weekend which would feature the NRL’s first ever Friday night match at TIO Stadium, symbolising the start of the dry season.

“The Territory Eels arriving is really positive,” he said.

“There’s already a buzz around the town from this and just the start of the dragonflies and the dry season, we know the backpackers are big to this season as well.”

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With tickets to the game expected to sell out in the venue’s first 100 per cent capacity allocation since coronavirus, Mr Bruce said it showed there was potential behind the idea of developing a large scale stadium in the heart of the city as a centrepiece of Darwin. “We’re not the only one saying it – TIO, Marrara is a good facility but imagine if we had a fantastic opportunity to welcome more domestic sports lovers,” he said.

“That could be for the Dreamtime in AFL, for key NRL matches and even when the dust settles on our borders, get international world class football (soccer) teams cycling through here for an Indigenous experience on their way to showcase events down in Sydney and Melbourne.”

With the NRL the first major event of the dry season, Mr Bruce said success from Parrtjima had put the spotlight on the Red Centre and work with NT Major Events promised for a fruitful season.

“Parrtjima was really good for Alice Springs and we hope that the NRL and Bass (intheGrass) have even more of an impact on Darwin,” he said.

“We’ve upped our collaboration with (NT Major Events chief executive) Tim (Watsford) and his team at NT Major Events Company, they have provided support down in Alice, to make sure that the tourists get the best possible experience down there during Parrtjima.

“I know they’re looking at doing similar for the Eels, BassintheGrass and the Supercars.”

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With international borders predominantly closed for the foreseeable future, Mr Bruce said it was important for the hospitality and tourism industries to capitalise on the opportunity

“We agree this is an 18-month window where we can really showcase the best version of ourselves to the Australian domestic market, before they all start jumping on planes and wanting to go internationally again,” he said.

Mr Watsford told the NT News capacity for the match had been extended from 71 per cent, about 8000 patrons, to full capacity, 12,215 this week.

Parramatta v Brisbane kicks off at 7.25pm at TIO Stadium this Friday

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