NRL 2021: Suncorp Stadium to host grand final, but NSW secure extension for event until 2046
Short term pain for long term gain. That’s the message from the NRL to locked down Sydney after handing Queensland the keys to its most prized possession, on a temporary basis.
Enjoy this moment Queensland, because it won’t happen again.
The ARL Commission on Wednesday confirmed rugby league’s worst kept secret when they announced that the NRL grand final would be moved to Suncorp Stadium, but hidden in the fine print was some good news for NSW rugby league fans.
Under the terms of the agreement that was struck between the ARL Commission and the NSW government, the grand final after this season will remain in Sydney until 2046 – a one-year extension to the previous contract.
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The NRL also received assurances around funding for suburban stadiums. That agreement remains in place, meaning that at some point in coming weeks the NSW government is expected to confirm the first in a series of boutique stadiums for Sydney.
Work on business cases for the home grounds of Penrith and Manly is well underway, the expectation that the Panthers will be first off the block.
There are also suggestions that Stadium Australia will receive more than a lick of paint as part of the stadiums commitment. So it is not all doom and gloom for NSW, although the loss of the grand final adds to the pain for a city that has spent weeks in lockdown.
“This season will always be remembered as the season when Queensland hosted us and allowed us to keep the season going,” NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo said.
“It is historic and it has been great that we have been able to keep the season going for our fans. We have a great relationship and a long relationship with the NSW government and also the people of NSW.
“The grand final is a tradition and it is part of Sydney, part of the tradition of rugby league, so we are excited about bringing it back next year and the long-term future here.
“But given the fact we are where we are with lockdowns in Sydney, it is somewhat of a rare opportunity for us to take a whole finals series to regional Queensland fans and then have the grand final at Suncorp Stadium, which is such a historic stadium.
“It is an unusual opportunity but when you look back in history you will always remember why it was played at Suncorp this year.”
The two-month battle for rugby league’s biggest game was brought to an end on Wednesday when NSW Minister for jobs, investment, tourism and western Sydney Stuart Ayres conceded defeat in his attempt to retain the season finale.
“While it is very disappointing to miss out on this marquee event, it reinforces the importance of our community getting vaccinated so that events like the NRL grand final with crowds can safely return to our stadiums as soon as possible,” Ayres said.
The development came as music to the ears of Wayne Bennett, the NRL’s greatest coach who will begin his quest for an eighth premiership when his Souths side take on Penrith in their finals opener this Saturday night in Townsville.
Bennett has won six of his seven titles with the Broncos, including victory in the last Queensland-based rugby league grand final – the 1997 Super League decider against Cronulla at ANZ Stadium.
But this will be rugby league’s first legitimate grand final at Suncorp and Bennett has a red-hot chance to hold aloft the Telstra Premiership at the venue where he has celebrated countless wins with the Broncos and Queensland.
“It‘s fantastic, as a Queenslander I am thrilled to see a Suncorp grand final,” Bennett said.
“I have to take my hat off to the NRL, Peter V’landys (ARL Commission boss) and the Queensland government, they have done a great job to keep the game alive.
“I was part of the Super League grand final in Brisbane, it was a great week then and Queensland people will love this.
“I remember 60,000 people coming to the Super League grand final, they had to bring in extra seating, so I have no doubt this will be a sellout at Suncorp. I hope we have a week-long celebration. I’m so pleased the Queensland people have been rewarded.”
The NRL had been exploring a number of grand-final options during the fresh Covid saga which forced the Telstra Premiership to relocate to Queensland in July.
New Zealand’s Eden Park and the Melbourne Cricket Ground were touted as viable contingencies. Melbourne Storm owner Matt Tripp also had brief dialogue with V‘landys about buying the grand final himself and hosting it at the MCG.
But the NRL has opted to reward the Queensland government with the 2021 NRL grand final as a virtual goodwill gift for saving the Telstra Premiership following NSW‘s worst Covid outbreak.
V’landys had been locked in delicate talks with Queensland premier Annastacia Palaszczuk for the past month and thanked the NSW government for relinquishing the NRL grand final as part of their 25-year contract.
“The Queensland Premier is a warrior for the people of Queensland and just keeps delivering for them,” V‘landys said.
“I’d like to acknowledge the New South Wales Government, in particular Premier Gladys Berejiklian, Deputy Premier John Barilaro and Minister Tourism Stuart Ayres for working collaboratively with us to reach an outcome that ensures the health and safety of NSW residents and allows the NRL to showcase the Grand Final live to rugby league fans.
“This year we will create history, playing the grand final in Brisbane for the very first time.
“This will be a historic moment for the city and a reward for the support the Queensland community has given us throughout 2021.
“This year will always be remembered as the year Queensland hosted all of our major events: All Stars, Magic Round, three State of Origins and the grand final.”
In a further boost for Queenslanders, the game will head to the bush during the playoffs with finals matches in Rockhampton, Townsville and Mackay.
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