Rabbitohs bosses meet with NSW premier in fight for Allianz Stadium move

The South Sydney Rabbitohs have taken their stadium battle to all the way to the premier’s office, as they fight to move away from Accor Stadium and return to Allianz Stadium.

South Sydney want to return to Allianz Stadium and they have taken their fight all the way to the premier’s office.

Rabbitohs chair Nick Pappas and chief executive Blake Solly met NSW premier Chris Minns on Wednesday as part of their bid to move away from Accor Stadium and return to Allianz Stadium.

Souths are currently locked into an agreement to play their home games at Accor Stadium until 2030 but frustration has been growing over the failure to update the facilities at the former Olympic venue and the Rabbitohs have made it clear they see their future at Allianz Stadium.

Their preference would be to be playing out of Moore Park as soon as next year. For that to happen, they need the NSW government on board, hence their meeting with Premier Minns on Wednesday as they look to garner support from the highest office in the state.

Rabbitohs chief executive Blake Solly has met with NSW premier Chris Minns. Picture: Getty Images

It is understood Rabbitohs powerbrokers pressed their case for a permanent move during a meeting with premier and his key advisers.

Souths signed a long-term agreement at Accor Stadium on the understanding that money would be spent to update and improve the facilities at the ground.

However, a succession of governments have failed to invest in Accor Stadium and it is understood there are no plans for the Minns government to spend money on the venue.

Meanwhile, there is a brand new stadium at Moore Park that only hosts one NRL club in the Sydney Roosters.

While the Rabbitohs play nine home games a year in Sydney, it is understood they would be willing to bring two more games back to the city if they were given the green light to return to Allianz Stadium.

NSW Premier Chris Minns has confirmed there will be no significant investment into Accor Stadium in the near future. Picture: NewsWire / Nikki Short

“The meeting with the Premier was one of the regular meetings we’ve held with Governments since 2020,” Solly said.

“He was extremely honest and direct in confirming there will be no significant investment into Accor anytime soon. We completely understand and respect that decision. The Government has a number of other investment priorities, which we accept. This situation is not of this government’s making.

“However, our long term lease at Accor was based on commitments from previous governments to redevelop the Stadium. We were asked to extend the lease to base a case for investment and redevelopment. A decade on and we have it confirmed that there is no investment or redevelopment. We now want to move to a stadium in the VNSW network that has had the benefit of the millions invested (in stadiums). We would also be happy to bring more games into the VNSW network if we can move home venues. We also want a long term home – we’re happy to sign a 20 or 25 year agreement.

“We’re hopeful that the Premier and the government can see that our proposal is fair and reasonable.”

Originally published as Rabbitohs bosses meet with NSW premier in fight for Allianz Stadium move