Editor’s Note: As of 30 September 2021, QLD’s NRL Grand Final will be played to a capped crowd of just 39,000 fans due to updated Covid-19 restrictions. Refunds will be issued to the final 25% purchases made in each Grand Final selling allocation. For more details and updates, please follow the NRL Facebook page.
Milton’s Suncorp Stadium is set to make history after being chosen as the venue for the 2021 NRL grand final, in the league’s first time to play the finals series outside of Sydney in 114 years.
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The game is usually held at Sydney’s Stadium Australia but because of the ongoing spread of the Delta variant in NSW, the grand final is set to relocate to Queensland and will remain there until the end of the regular season.
In a press conference earlier this month, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk confirmed the Queensland Government made an agreement with the National Rugby League to host the finals as well as a number of regional games.
“Never in my lifetime did I think that we would have an NRL grand final here in Queensland, and finally, that’s happened… So well done Queensland,” Premier Palaszczuk said.
Because of Queensland’s efforts for helping the league afloat this year, it did not have to bid for the right to host the final series. Around 4.6 million had been spent on securing the finals series whilst the event is expected to bring in $19 million to the Queensland economy.
As Queensland cements itself as the new home of the rugby league, it’s anticipated that more rugby games will be played in the state in the coming years, according to Sports Minister Stirling Hinchcliffe.
“This is an unprecedented venture into regional Queensland by the NRL. We’re also working with the NRL on a Centre of Excellence at QSAC for women’s rugby league which complements the Palaszczuk Government’s investment in women’s sport,” Mr Hinchcliffe said.
“Queensland is a nursery for rugby league talent, and it makes sense to work with the NRL on ways we can support our future stars,” he added.
About the Suncorp Stadium
Over 50,000 die-hard Rugby League fans are expected to descend at the Suncorp Stadium, as Queensland’s outdoor stadiums can now have 100 percent capacity.
Also known as Brisbane Stadium, Suncorp Stadium plays host to many major events each year, from rugby leagues and rugby unions to concerts and boxing events. The state-of-the-art, world-class stadium features 52,500 seats across three levels, 75% of which are covered to the drip line of the stadium roof.
NRL Grand Finals
The 2021 NRL Telstra Premiership Grand Final will take place on Sunday 3 October 2021.
The finals series kicks off with two elimination finals and two qualifying finals spread out over three days before the semi-finals and preliminary finals over successive weekends leading up to the premiership decider.
Mackay will host the semi-finals on Friday, 17 September and Saturday, 18 Sept with the preliminary finals to be played at Suncorp Stadium on Friday, 24 Sept and Saturday, 25 Sept 2021.
In line with state-wide mask requirements, fans are asked to wear masks at all times, including when seated. Visit Suncorp Stadium’s website for more information on buying tickets and health protocols when inside the venue.