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CommBank Stadium to Host Quadruple-Header for Pacific Championships Finale

The National Rugby League (NRL) has today announced the draw for the 2024 Pacific Championships to be played in four countries across four consecutive weekends in October and November.

In a major development, the 2024 edition will see the introduction of promotion and relegation with the winner of the Men’s and Women’s Pacific Bowls to play off against the third-placed Pacific Cup nations for a place in their respective 2025 Pacific Cup pools.

Fiji will host Pacific Championship matches for the first time as the event expands further into the Pacific in 2024, with Port Moresby’s Santos Stadium to once again host matches alongside Brisbane, Christchurch, Auckland and Sydney.

NRL CEO Andrew Abdo said the introduction of promotion and relegation adds extra significance to each contest following the success of the maiden Pacific Championships in 2023.

“The 2024 Pacific Championships will be the biggest sporting event in the region,” Mr Abdo said.

“This year we have raised the stakes by adding promotion and relegation across the men’s and women’s tournaments so there is a great deal at stake in the Pacific Championships.”

Abdo said the 2024 Pacific Championships will once again serve as a reminder of the cultural significance of Rugby League within Pasifika communities.

“As the Pacific’s largest sport, Rugby League is fast becoming the language that unifies the region.

“The Pacific Championships is a powerful showcase and celebration of culture, connecting passionate Rugby League fans in each host city and nation into one pulsating sporting community.

“Fans will have the opportunity to experience the unique colour and atmosphere that the Pacific Championships brings with each venue hosting double-header match days to create a carnival atmosphere with local and visiting supporters.”

Tournament details:

The 2024 Men’s tournament will once again feature two divisions with top ranked nations Australia, New Zealand and Tonga to contest the Cup while Fiji, Papua New Guinea (PNG) and Cook Islands will face-off for the Bowl.

An expanded 2024 Women’s tournament will include four weeks of Cup and Bowl matches, with the Bowl to serve as a Rugby League World Cup 2026 qualifying event. The Women’s Cup division includes top ranked Australia, New Zealand and PNG, with Fiji, Tonga, Cook Islands and Samoa to contest the Bowl. The Women’s Bowl winners will be rewarded with direct entry to RLWC 2026, while the runner-up will progress to the 2025 World Series.

The 2024 Pacific Championships will culminate with a quadruple-header at Sydney’s CommBank Stadium on Sunday, November 10 headlined by the Men’s and Women’s Cup Finals.

The 2024 Pacific Championships is proudly supported by the NSW Government’s tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW. 

The Pacific Bowl is proudly supported by the Australian Government through PacificAus Sports. PacificAus Sports creates opportunities for Australian and Pacific athletes to learn, train, play, and grow together.

Tickets start at just $25 for adults and $50 for families via nrl.com/tickets.

NRL Club Members will have the first opportunity to purchase tickets from 11am AEST today (Friday 30 August), followed by NRL Account Holders from 2pm AEST.

Tickets will be available to the general public from 4pm AEST today.

2024 Pacific Championships Draw

Pacific Cup – Men
Friday 18 OctoberAustralia v TongaSuncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Sunday 27 OctoberNew Zealand v Australia Apollo Projects Stadium, Christchurch
Saturday 2 November New Zealand v Tonga Go Media Stadium, Auckland
Sunday 10 NovemberFinal  CommBank Stadium, Sydney
Pacific Cup – Women
Friday 18 OctoberAustralia v PNG   Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Sunday 27 OctoberNew Zealand v Australia Apollo Projects Stadium, Christchurch
Sunday 3 November PNG v New ZealandGo Media Stadium, Auckland
Sunday 10 NovemberFinal  CommBank Stadium, Sydney

Pacific Bowl – Men
Saturday 19 OctoberFiji v PNG Fiji
Saturday 26 OctoberFiji v Cook IslandsFiji
Sunday 3 November PNG v Cook IslandSantos Stadium, Port Moresby
Sunday 10 NovemberPromotion/Relegation PlayoffCommBank Stadium, Sydney

Pacific Bowl – Women
Saturday 19 OctoberTonga v SamoaFiji
Saturday 26 OctoberFiji v Cook IslandsFiji
Saturday 2 November FinalGo Media Stadium, Auckland
Sunday 10 NovemberPromotion/Relegation PlayoffCommBank Stadium, Sydney

View the full draw online: https://www.nrl.com/pacific-championships

Panthers to play at CommBank Stadium in 2025

Penrith Panthers have confirmed that the club will host eight NRL home matches at CommBank Stadium in 2025.

The Panthers will embrace the world-class venue as its home during the redevelopment of Penrith Stadium.

With a seating capacity of 30,000, CommBank Stadium not only brings fans closer to the action than ever before but also boasts top-tier amenities, impeccable design, and technological innovations that redefine the standards of a world-class stadium experience.

The club will ‘Pantherise’ CommBank Stadium with its distinctive colours, themes, and enthusiastic fan culture, continuing the unparalleled atmosphere that the Panthers members and fans have created at their spiritual home.

The Panthers will ensure a seamless transition to the Western Sydney stadium, offering members premium seating options, convenient travel arrangements, and innovative additions such as member lounges and enhanced corporate offerings.

The club has also confirmed the remaining four home venues for 2025, including a historic season opener at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, as well as matches at Glen Willow Regional Sports Complex in Mudgee, Carrington Park in Bathurst, and home participation in Magic Round at Suncorp Stadium.

“We’re excited for the next chapter in the Panthers journey and thrilled to announce this partnership with Venues NSW,” Panthers Rugby League CEO Matt Cameron said.

In 2025, the Panthers home is where we all are and it’s vital that the Panthers community rally behind Ivan Cleary’s team to ensure continued on-field success.

“2025 is set to be an exciting year for the club as we open the season in Las Vegas, before hosting a match at Magic Round, playing twice in the Central West and eight games at a world-class stadium in Western Sydney.

“CommBank Stadium offers an unparalleled rugby league experience with fans close to the action within an electrifying atmosphere, exceptional facilities, and premier corporate facilities.

“Playing at CommBank Stadium will open up substantial commercial opportunities, further cementing the Panthers’ status as a leading NRL club.”

Venues NSW CEO Kerrie Mather added: “We can’t wait to welcome the reigning premiers the Penrith Panthers and their fans to CommBank Stadium for the 2025 NRL season.

“This is an exciting partnership with the Panthers who will call CommBank Stadium home until they return to a brand new Penrith Stadium.”

2025 Panthers Memberships will be on sale from September.

Parra Eels to kick off NRL season against Storm at CommBank Stadium before all eyes on Grand Final rematch against Panthers in Round 4

THE Parramatta Eels will host the opening game of the 2023 NRL season at CommBank Stadium with a blockbuster Thursday Night Footy clash against the Melbourne Storm on 2 March.

The Eels will also be at their spiritual home in Round 2, with a Friday night 6pm match-up against the Sharks on 10 March.

Then bring on Round 4 and a massive Grand Final rematch against Penrith Panthers at CommBank Stadium on Thursday 23 March (7:50pm)!

As the NRL released its much-anticipated season draw for 2023, the Eels were locked in for 11 huge home games at CommBank Stadium.

The Parramatta Eels (20,015) boasted the highest Sydney NRL average attendance of the regular-season in 2022 and the stage is set for another run of capacity crowds at CommBank Stadium in season 2023.

The Blue and Gold Army will be out in force for the clash with the Panthers as the mighty Eels get the chance to redeem themselves against the benchmark team of 2021-22.

Wests Tigers will play two home games at CommBank Stadium in season 2023 – against the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks in Round 19 on Thursday 6 July (7:50pm) and against new club the Dolphins in Round 25 on Saturday 19 August.

The Tigers will host the traditional Easter Monday game against the Parra Eels at nearby Accor Stadium in Sydney Olympic Park on 10 April.

The Easter Monday blockbuster traditionally draws one of the largest NRL club attendances of the season.

Among other home stadium highlights for the Parramatta Eels in season 2023:

  • The Eels will host great rivals the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs in a cracking Round 7 Sunday afternoon game at CommBank Stadium on 16 April (4pm);
  • Parra’s final two home games of the regular-season loom as vital in the context of the club’s season . . . against the St George Illawarra Dragons on Sunday 6 August (2pm) and the Sydney Roosters on Friday 18 August (8pm).

See the full 2023 NRL Draw here

Game Day Guide: Easter Monday NRL Round 6 Parramatta Eels v Wests Tigers

Game Day Guide: Easter Monday NRL Round 6 Parramatta Eels v Wests Tigers

Game Day Guide: History will be made this Easter Monday when a sold-out crowd of 30,000 fans packs in to Bankwest Stadium for Parramatta Eels v Wests Tigers.

The two Bankwest Stadium home clubs will go toe-to-toe in the first sporting event to be played at the brand new venue.

With a big crowd on the way it’ll be a busy day in and around Parramatta, so we’ve put together all the info you need to make the most of the historic occasion.

Timings

Fans are encouraged to arrive early and enjoy everything the first sporting event at Bankwest Stadium has to offer.

  • 12:45pm: Gates Open
  • 1:30pm: Kick-off – Canterbury Cup: Wentworthville Magpies v Western Suburbs Magpies
  • 4:00pm: Kick-off – NRL: Eels v Wests Tigers

Getting Here

Fans are strongly encouraged to take advantage of the fact that public transport is included in all tickets and Club Memberships.

Regular train and bus services will be travelling to and from the Parramatta Transport Interchange on Monday, with Bankwest Stadium a short 10-minute walk away.

For the most up-to-date transport information, and to plan your trip, head to the Transport for NSW Event Page here

There is no public parking on-site at Bankwest Stadium. The best travel option is public transport, but if you must drive information on parking in Parramatta City is available on the City of Parramatta website here.

A dedicated accessible shuttle bus will run between Parramatta Interchange and Bankwest Stadium from 1:30pm to 7:45pm. Picking up and dropping off from Argyle St (just after Church St near Parramatta Westfield) and O’Connell St outside Parramatta Leagues Club.

Pre-Game Activities and Entertainment

There will be plenty of pre-game activity and a buzz of excitement inside and outside Bankwest Stadium ahead of the main game.

A host of activities will be available for fans in the precinct  with a kick the ball activation, animal display, rides, a DJ, stilt walkers, dartball, Eels Cheerleaders and mascots and much more.

On entry the Eels will be distributing 30,000 commemorative flags plus there’ll be face painters and photo-booths on the concourse.

Before kick-off in the main game there’ll be an official ceremony with a Welcome to Country, National Anthem, band entertainment, Eels Hall of Famers on the field, the raising of the Blue & Gold Army flag and a representation from each Parramatta Eels Junior League Club.

Plenty to keep you entertained before the game starts!

Tickets

The historic Easter Monday clash is a sold-out event with the only way to secure a seat to become a Parramatta Eels Member. Check out the seating map here.

Remember that Ticketek is the only official ticket-seller for events at Bankwest Stadium. Fans should ensure they always purchase their tickets via Ticketek rather than any third-party sellers like Viagogo. To check your ticket call Ticketek on 132 849.

Bankwest Stadium WiFi

Make sure you take advantage of the Bankwest Stadium Free WiFi! Just look for the network “Bankwest Stadium FREE WiFi” in your settings.

Food and Beverage

Bankwest Stadium boasts a huge range of affordable and unique food and beverage options with specialty outlets spread along the Level 1 Concourse.

Fans will pay less than $5 for seven of the key footy fare staples at Bankwest Stadium:

  • Vili’s beef pie (160g): $4.90
  • Classic hot dog: $4.90
  • Regular hot chips (12oz): $4.90
  • Vili’s sausage roll (110g): $4.50
  • Regular coffee (8oz): $3.90
  • Coca-Cola original (600ml): $4.90
  • Mount Franklin water (600ml): $4.30

In addition to the footy staples, Bankwest Stadium boasts nine specialty food outlets which feature our “High Street” food options – meals inspired by the diversity of the local food community in Parramatta and Western Sydney.

Among the more substantial meals that will be sold at the retail outlets are:

  • Hokkien Noodle Stiryfry with Chicken, Asian Vegetables and Toasted Sesame;
  • Angus Beef Burger with Cheese;
  • Roasted Spicy Buffalo Wings with Ranch Dressing;
  • Salt and Pepper Squid with Chips, Lemon and Aioli;
  • Two-Foot Long Hot Dog with Tomato Ketchup and Mustard;
  • Western Sydney BBQ Pulled Pork Roll with Coleslaw.

Make sure you explore the concourse on Easter Monday to see all the different food and beverage options on offer.

Eels v Tigers Easter Monday Blockbuster to be First Sporting Event at Western Sydney Stadium

Eels v Tigers Easter Monday Blockbuster to be First Sporting Event at Western Sydney Stadium

  • 30,000-seat Western Sydney Stadium to open in April 2019;
  • Fans closer to the action than ever before with the best sightlines of any rectangular stadium in the country;
  • A food & entertainment village outside the Stadium for fans to enjoy;
  • A free family and kids’ play area outside the Stadium;
  • New technology within the Stadium that will deliver an amazing audio and visual experience to enhance the game-day atmosphere and accentuate home-ground advantage.

Julian Keith & Nathan Davis

It’s Parramatta Eels v Wests Tigers on Easter Monday 22 April in a spectacular first NRL game at the magnificent Western Sydney Stadium.

The new 30,000-seat Stadium, featuring the steepest grandstands in Australia and offering a lively entertainment precinct, will host home games for three Sydney clubs in its debut season.

The Parramatta Eels, who have played out of the precinct since 1947, will host 9 home games at Western Sydney Stadium in 2019. With the Round 6 Easter Monday event poised to be a first-up sell-out for the new venue.

parramatta stadium outside venue with eels fans

In quick succession, the Eels then host the St George Illawarra Dragons on Sunday 5 May (4.05pm kick-off) in Round 8, the Penrith Panthers on Thursday 23 May (7.50pm) in Round 11 and the Rabbitohs on Friday 31 May (7.55pm) in Round 12.

Wests Tigers will play four home games at the new Stadium on top of the Easter Monday game, in which they are the away team.

View the full 2019 Telstra Premiership Draw here.

The Tigers play the Raiders on Friday 7 June (7.55pm) in Round 13, the Rabbitohs on Thursday 27 June in Round 15, the Roosters on Friday 5 July (7.35pm) in Round 16, before they host the Eels in a School Holidays special on Sunday 14 July (4pm).

The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs will play one home game at Western Sydney Stadium in season 2019 – against the Penrith Panthers on Saturday 3 August in Round 20.

The Bulldogs are keen to give their Members and supporters a taste of the new Western Sydney Stadium, which is likely to host more Bulldogs games while their traditional home ground ANZ Stadium is under redevelopment from 2020.

Western Sydney Stadium Welcomes the Parramatta Eels back home for 2019 and beyond

Western Sydney Stadium Welcomes the Parramatta Eels Home for 2019

MINISTERIAL MEDIA RELEASE

The Parramatta Eels will not only call Western Sydney Stadium home in 2019, but they will be the first side to run onto the state-of-the-art stadium when they take to the field over the Easter long weekend.

Minister for Sport and Minister for Western Sydney Stuart Ayres today joined Parramatta Eels CEO Bernie Gurr to announce the Eels have finalised commercial agreements with VenuesLive to play at their brand new home next season.

“Eels fans should be counting down the days to the opening of Western Sydney Stadium which will revolutionise the visitor experience by bringing fans closer to the action than any other sporting precinct in Australia,” Mr Ayres said.

“The Eels are one of the great sporting clubs with one of the biggest supporter bases in the NRL and they will be the first to experience game day at the brand new 30,000-seat stadium which will be the best in the country when it opens.

“VenuesLive, on behalf of Venues NSW, has now negotiated agreements with sporting teams including the Eels, the Wests Tigers and the NSW Waratahs, as well as securing a blockbuster line up of exciting events for the new Western Sydney Stadium.”

Parramatta Eels CEO Bernie Gurr said “We are extremely pleased to have reached this stage and announce Western Sydney Stadium as our new home.

“We believe that Western Sydney Stadium will provide our Members and commercial partners with an outstanding game day experience and will also contribute to the Club’s financial stability.

“We would like to thank VenuesLive for constructive dialogue and helping us to give our Members and fans an outcome ahead of the 2019 NRL draw being announced.”

Read the Parramatta Eels media release here 

Wests Tigers bring the jungle to Western Sydney Stadium for 2019 season and more

Wests Tigers Head to Western Sydney Stadium

Wests Tigers have today confirmed that the club will be playing a number of home games out of Western Sydney Stadium from 2019.

The new agreement will see Wests Tigers play four home games at the brand new stadium in 2019, with the club committing to Western Sydney Stadium until at least the end of 2022.

The club will move the four home games previously played at ANZ Stadium to Western Sydney Stadium from 2019, as the NSW Government prepares for the redevelopment of ANZ Stadium.

Western Sydney Stadium will provide 30,000 undercover seats and will bring Members and supporters closer to the action than ever before in Australia.

Wests Tigers CEO Justin Pascoe said that the club was excited by what the future holds at Western Sydney Stadium.

“Western Sydney Stadium is set to be an incredibly impressive facility, which will provide the best game day experience in Australia,” said Pascoe.

“We could not walk away from the opportunity to take games to Western Sydney Stadium.

“As a club we owe it to our Members and fans to provide them with the best possible facilities and Western Sydney Stadium will offer a great viewing experience,” he said.

“The new stadium will provide us with the opportunity to theme the venue to give it a real home ground feel which I’m sure our players, Members and supporters will appreciate.

“In coming to this decision we’ve worked closely with Venues NSW and the Stadium operator to ensure that the needs of the club, our players, Members and fans will be met and that the move to Western Sydney Stadium is in the best interests of all parties,” said Pascoe.

Wests Tigers Head Coach Ivan Cleary said that the new venue offers all the facilities needed for the team.

“Western Sydney Stadium is going to be a great place to watch and play Rugby League and our players and coaching staff are excited by what the future holds there,” said Cleary.

“Key to our success on the field is having the facilities available for the players to prepare pre-game and then recover post-game and this venue has everything we need in the one place.

“I look forward to seeing the stands full with Wests Tigers Members and supporters when we take to the field at Western Sydney Stadium next season,” he said.

Western Sydney Stadium will feature the steepest grandstands in Australia, bringing fans close to the action and creating an impressive event experience. The rows of seating have been installed in such a way that it will provide an unprecedented viewing experience for fans.

The new venue will also provide an impressive range of corporate hospitality options, including an exclusive corporate offering where guests can watch players enter and exit the field of play while viewing the game from ground level.

Western Sydney Stadium is easily accessed by public transport, with Wests Tigers 2019 home games at the venue to be confirmed when the NRL draw is launched later this year.

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