The NRL has finally announced the grand final will be held at ANZ Stadium in Sydney on October 25, with 40,000 fans to attend.
The NRL made the announcement after receiving approval from the NSW government to fill the stadium to 50 per cent of its capacity.
The Sydney Cricket Ground was originally set to host the decider for the first time since 1987 before COVID-19 upended the plans.
The Olympic Park facility was due to be upgraded and would have been unavailable to host the grand final before the pandemic struck.
The NSW government dumped the $800 million redevelopment to redirect funds towards job creation.
Tickets for the NRL grand final go on sale on Wednesday.
“This year will be a historic grand final day,” said NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo.
“The teams competing would have overcome all challenges in front of them and we will experience the culmination of a season like no other.
“We are working on innovative ways to showcase the pre-game entertainment and returning to ANZ Stadium will provide us with the space to put on the most entertaining show possible.
“We can’t wait to see 40,000 fans at the venue.”
Mango Jack
Roar Guru
Not as good as purpose built rectangular stadiums like Suncorp and Bankwest, but it is better because it is smaller so you are not as far away from the action in the stands. Also better pubs in the area.
Samuel Power
Roar Rookie
And the SCG is better to host a rugby league match?
Tigertown
Guest
40k is a respectable figure. Anything more & the Sydney public transport system starts to buckle.
Mango Jack
Roar Guru
A larger crowd capacity is the only thing ANZ has over the SCG. Otherwise it's a poor venue for watching rectangular sports, with a wide oval-shaped field and low-angled stands. Most fans more than half way back are so far away from the action they just watch the big screens.
Willie La'ulu
Roar Guru
Thank goodness. For NRL, there is no better stadium than ANZ stadium. This news is awesome! So happy
Sammy
Guest
Good news. ANZ Stadium is the premier venue for major football events in NSW and it was always difficult to justify redeveloping the relatively young Olympic Venue - especially when Sydney will soon have Allianz and Bankwest Stadiums to rival Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium.