2022 NRL Grand Final locked in for Accor Stadium
The NRL has confirmed the 2022 NRL Grand Final will be played at Sydney’s Accor Stadium, dashing any hope of the showpiece event being played in Brisbane.
ARLC chairman Peter V’landys and NRL CEO Andrew Abdo revealed the news in a press conference on Thursday.
“We have made a decision, which we believe is in the best interest of our fans and that is to hold the game in Sydney this year,” V’landys said.
The game will return to its traditional home after it was played at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium last year due to Covid-19.
However, Sydney is no certainty to hold on to the Grand Final beyond this year, with the ARLC boss stating the game could go to the highest bidding city in future years, similar to the process in place for the Super Bowl.
The NSW Government abandoned the $810 million redevelopment of the Olympic Stadium in 2020, which initially put the future of the NRL Grand Final in the state at risk.
The cash was then set to be redirected to invest into NRL stadiums across the state, including Brookvale Oval, Leichhardt Oval, Penrith Stadium and Shark Park. A promise that was taken into the election at the time.
The Government has since backflipped on its commitment to invest in Sydney’s suburban stadiums, leading to talk the NRL Grand Final could be shifted away from the city, with the most likely alternative being Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane.
There had also been earlier talk the Grand Final could be played at the new Allianz Stadium, which is due to open next month, however with Accor Stadium boasting double the capacity of the new Moore Park venue, it was always the frontrunner.
The 2022 NRL Grand Final will be played on the evening of Sunday, October 2, with tickets on sale for NRL Club Members from 1pm Wednesday 24 August and the General Public from 11am Thursday 25 August.
