Sydney’s newest stadiums – worth a combined cost of nearly $1.2 billion – could sit unused and unloved throughout the NRL finals.
This masthead can reveal Allianz Stadium in Sydney’s east - and possibly CommBank Stadium in the city’s west - might remain empty due to the NRL’s finals structure.
One NRL club CEO said: “It would seem like madness not using the best stadiums for the biggest games of the year.”
The redevelopment of Allianz Stadium at Moore Park cost $830m while the rebuilding of CommBank Stadium at Parramatta cost $360m.
That is $1.19 billion worth of taxpayers’ money.
The city’s newest shiniest toys have only recently been built with Allianz completed in August last year and CommBank opening in 2019.
Strangely, one Sydney venue likely to host a home final be would Cronulla’s PointsBet Stadium, which holds 13,500 fans.
The blackout of Allianz and possible CommBank snub comes through a quirk of the draw and would be dependent on where teams finish on the NRL competition ladder and which are non-Sydney clubs.
There will be a maximum of just three finals games played in Sydney before the October 1 grand final at Accor Stadium.
Penrith is certain to play two finals matches, the first at BlueBet Stadium, their home ground, the second likely to be a preliminary final at Accor Stadium, should they win week one.
Cronulla is the other Sydney side that can secure a week one home final by finishing fifth or sixth.
The NRL has already stated that Cronulla can play that home final at the capacity-reduced PointsBet Stadium.
Should they advance to week two, Cronulla’s only possible Sydney opponent would be Penrith away.
There are multiple venue possibilities dependent on results but Allianz Stadium is certain to miss out altogether.
The NRL is aware of the situation but preferred not to comment given the possible draw variations that could unfold.
“I’m sure everyone wants big games played at big stadiums but this is just bad luck – it’s the luck of the draw,” said one NRL coach, when told of the dilemma.
Souths and the Sydney Roosters – two glamour clubs – can only finish seventh or eighth, meaning neither side can host a home final.
If Penrith lose in week one, the NRL would ask that they play week two at a larger stadium. That could be CommBank Stadium but more likely Accor Stadium.
In week one of the finals, teams finishing first and second host finals, as will sides finishing fifth and sixth.
Allianz Stadium can seat 45,500 fans with CommBank able to accommodate 30,000 supporters.
Sydney may be starved of finals footy with Brisbane, Warriors, Newcastle and Melbourne qualifying for finals places. North Queensland also has a chance of reaching the playoffs.