NRL Grand Final: Suncorp Stadium breaks 114-year tradition by locking in historic game

Queensland has ‘saved rugby league for Australia’ in a deal which will see the 2021 grand final hosted in Brisbane and finals games held across the state.

Suncorp Stadium has clinched the 2021 NRL grand final with taxpayers set to pay $4.6 million for the historic event in what is a huge coup for the state.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk confirmed the Queensland Government has reached an agreement with the NRL for the state to host the final series, including a number of regional games.

“Just as we helped out the AFL last year we are very pleased to step up and help out this year,” she said.

Ms Palaszczuk said the finals series would bring in $19 million to the Queensland economy and $4.6 million had been spent on securing the events.

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Suncorp Stadium will host the 2021 NRL grand final in a major coup for Queensland.

Queensland would have the magic round for the next three years, with an additional year included in the deal.

“I’m quite sure that Queenslanders will come out and support this finals series.”

“Never in my lifetime did I think we’d have an NRL Grand Final in Queensland.

“We have put in $4.6m and then there has been some in kind contributions and a lot of that is to actually help get these teams out to regional Queensland.”

She said a pop-up vaccination hub in Rockhampton this weekend would allow people to “get their vaccine and go to the footy”.

BOOST FOR REGIONS AND WOMEN IN RUGBY LEAGUE

Sports Minister Stirling Hinchcliffe said the arrangement there would be a “great commitment” to rugby league in the state, with more games to be played in regional Queensland in coming years.

Mr Hinchcliffe said The Queensland Government, Queensland Academy of Sport and Queensland Rugby league would commit to developing women's rugby league in the state.

He said the final would bring economic benefits to Brisbane, as was seen in this year’s magic round.

NRL head of football Graham Annesley said without Queensland it would not have been possible for the season to be completed.

“We really want to give back to the people of Queensland as well, not just with the Grand Final,” he said.

Mr Annesley said the inclusion of regional games in the final series was the NRL’s way of saying thank you.

Deputy Premier Steven Miles said it was a “fantastic reward” for Queensland footy fans.

“Games in regional Queensland, we know how much they love rugby league in Queensland. I’m sure they’re going to do a fantastic job of hosting finals,” he said.

He said it was an opportunity to promote vaccinations.

Queensland Treasurer Cameron Dick said “Queensland has saved rugby league for Australia.”

Ms Palaszczuk said she would love to see local Queensland talent for finals entertainment.

“I think it’s really important that all of Queensland gets to enjoy this final series,” she said.

“It’s really important, a lot of young people look to their heroes and they’ll be able to see their local heroes in their grounds.”

The MCG had been considered for the NRL showpiece fixture. Picture: David Crosling

NSW RESIGNED TO Covid REALITY

NSW minister for jobs, investment, tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres released a statement on Wednesday confirming that the State was unable to host the grand final.

“Due to the current COVID-19 situation in Greater Sydney and across the state, the NSW Government has informed the NRL that unfortunately New South Wales is unable to host the 2021 NRL premiership grand final on Sunday 3 October,” Ayres said.

“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.

“I would like to thank the NRL for its understanding in this challenging situation and its ongoing support of the NSW visitor economy.

“The NSW Government via its tourism and major events agency Destination NSW, looks forward to working with the Australian Rugby League Commission to welcome the NRL grand final back to Sydney in 2022 bigger and brighter than ever before.”

There has been two months of speculation over the grand-final destination in the wake of the Covid crisis, with the Melbourne Cricket Ground and New Zealand’s Eden Park flagged as possible Plan B options.

But Suncorp Stadium has won the race in a historic occasion for the hallowed home of Queensland rugby league.

Sources close to negotiations say two Intrust Super Cup preliminary finals will be held as curtain-raisers before the NRL decider as part of a Suncorp spectacular on Sunday, October 3.

Ticketing prices have been locked in with the NRL expected to offer grand-final seats at prices in alignment with State of Origin matches.

SPECIAL MOMENT FOR SUNSHINE STATE

Speaking at the NRL finals launch on Monday, ARL Commissioner Kate Jones said an NRL grand-final at the 52,000-capacity Suncorp Stadium would be a special moment for rugby league fans in the Sunshine State.

“Both governments are very much committed to ensuring we get good outcomes for footy fans across the country,” Jones said.

“It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity to have a grand final in Queensland at Suncorp Stadium.

“I have been watching footy all my life and to have a grand final here in our own background is something I think all Queenslanders will really embrace.

“This is something we have been asking for as footy fans in the Sunshine State for years and it would be amazing to see it come to fruition.”

Melbourne celebrate following last year’s grand final win over Penrith. Picture: Brett Costello

Queenslanders have not witnessed a grand final on Brisbane soil since the Super League decider between the Broncos and Cronulla at ANZ Stadium in 1997.

Maroons skipper Cherry-Evans has enjoyed some magical moments at Suncorp Stadium, including last year’s Origin series triumph, and he hopes to lead Manly into this year’s grand final on Queensland soil.

“If the grand final is at Suncorp, it would be outstanding,” he said.

“I was born and raised in Queensland and nothing beats a full house at Suncorp. Queensland people love their footy and 50,000 fans at Suncorp would be an unforgettable experience.

“To run out onto Suncorp as a Queensland kid, it’s the stadium you dream of playing at.

“If we can get the grand final here and take advantage of that, it would be really special.

“There is a lot more motivation for me to be potentially playing a grand final at Suncorp.”

The eight teams who will be vying to contest this year’s decider. Picture: Getty

industry experts estimate a Suncorp grand final will inject at least $25m to the Queensland economy. The NRL‘s Magic Round in May at Suncorp generated almost $20 million.

Suncorp Stadium boss Alan Graham said it would be a dream come true to host the NRL grand final.

“It’s been our aspiration for not just the stadium but all Queenslanders to have the grand final of their game up here,” he said.

“It will be so fitting if that’s what happens. It will be a shot in the arm for the whole state.

“A grand final is something else. It’s something we never thought we’d see in our lifetime.

“If it does happen it will be great.”

Originally published as NRL Grand Final: Suncorp Stadium breaks 114-year tradition by locking in historic game