Blow to fans for match

THOUSANDS of footy fans who snapped up last-minute tickets to Sunday’s NRL grand final will be barred from the game after Queensland’s latest Covid measures cut capacity to 75 per cent.

Suncorp Stadium was on track for a 52,000-spectator sellout, but capacity has now been reduced to 39,000.

Affected ticket holders will be offered refunds, but any other spectator uncomfortable with the escalating Covid crisis is also eligible for a refund.

Exactly who qualifies for the 75 per cent capacity will be determined by a first-in, bestdressed policy in each section, meaning those who were the first to snap up tickets would be rewarded while those who got last-minute tickets are likely to miss out.

NRL Chief Executive Andrew Abdo said a “first in” policy was the fairest way to determine the allocation of tickets at a reduced capacity.

All fans would also have the opportunity to access a refund if they no longer wish to attend and can do so by contacting Ticketek. Fans impacted by the reduction in capacity were to be advised yesterday.