Finals fever at stadium
QUEENSLAND Country Bank Stadium will host an NRL finals double-header on Saturday, with Townsville fast becoming a sporting mecca amid the pandemic.
The northern city’s Covidfree status has helped it secure multiple major sporting events, stepping up to save a number of codes from lockdowns and outbreaks.
The northern city will host the qualifying final between Penrith Panthers and South Sydney Rabbitohs and an elimination final between the Sydney Roosters and the Gold Coast Titans on September 11.
After a week of speculation, the worst kept secret was confirmed with final matches also planned for Sunshine Coast on Friday and Rockhampton on Sunday.
Suncorp Stadium will host the grand final, with Queensland Country Bank understood to be the back up should Covid-19 spiral out of control in the southeast.
September will be a sporting spectacular for the city with Townsville also set to host the 100th match between the All Blacks and the Springboks for the 2021 Rugby Championship. NRL CEO Andrew Abdo said it was exciting to bring the finals series to Townsville.
“We created history earlier in the year with Townsville hosting their first State of Origin and now the eyes of all rugby league fans will be on Townsville on Saturday night for two massive Telstra Premiership finals series games,” Mr Abdo said.
“Some of our most passionate fans are from Townsville and we wanted to reward the region for their support this year with finals series matches.” Townsville Enterprise CEO Claudia Brumme-smith said this was another example of the stadium driving economic benefit for the region.
“We are proud that our new stadium is delivering on what was always envisaged in our advocacy seven years ago,” Ms Brumme-smith said.
“Accommodation next weekend was forecast at approximately 30 per cent occupancy, but we anticipate this announcement to provide a welcomed boost to our hotels and hospitality businesses.” Townsville Mayor Jenny Hill said she was pleased the city would be able to host the major event, especially because much of the finals series would usually be played in Sydney. “With a week to go, I’m hopeful we could have a sellout at the stadium,” Cr Hill said.
“This is pretty much a carnival of NRL here in the city.”
“We showed the NRL the love (we have) for the code at the State of Origin and it would be absolutely fantastic to have that same atmosphere for the finals.” Townsville City
Council did not contribute funding to bring the game to the region.
Townsville MP Scott Stewart said the city was the “best choice” to host the finals.
“The Palaszczuk government brought State of Origin to the North and we know how successful it was in terms of the money it generated for the economy, especially around the CBD, and NRL finals would be another terrific boost for the city,” he said. Tickets for all week one finals matches will go on sale at 1pm September 6, starting at $25.