Regional Queensland secures NRL finals

September 8, 2021

Events / Sport / Venues /

In a boost for the Queensland Government’s COVID-19 Economic Recovery Plan, six of the NRL's nine 2021 finals will be played in the state's regions, with matches scheduled for Sunshine Coast, Rockhampton, a double header for Townsville, and two games in Mackay along with three finals including the Grand Final at Suncorp Stadium.

Queensland’s outdoor stadiums can now have 100% capacity, and are anticipating more than 52,000 fans to be at Suncorp Stadium for the NRL Grand Final as well as significant crowds for the regional matches.

The unprecedented deal with the NRL also guarantees two premiership games per year will be played in regional Queensland for the 2022 and 2023 seasons.

Pop up vaccine clinics will also be trialled at this weekend’s game in Rockhampton in the hope of using them at other venues.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk notes “this state loves its rugby league. It’s a tremendous gesture from the NRL and will provide an economic boost spread over our regional cities.

“We have always said Queensland fans deserve a Grand Final and this year we’ve landed one. Securing an additional 13 matches ensures the winners are Queensland league fans not only for this year but until 2023.”

In addition, Brisbane’s tremendously popular Magic Round has been locked in for the next three years.

Commenting on the three-year deal, Queensland Treasurer and Minister for Investment, Cameron Dick advised “I’ve always said that if we get the health response right, the rewards to Queenslanders will follow.

“Today is proof of that - delivering guaranteed NRL games to the heartland of regional Queensland right through to 2023.

“To anyone who says we shouldn’t invest in regional Queensland, I have two words – back off.”

Queensland Sport Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said the NRL’s decision to play this year’s Grand Final at Suncorp Stadium was truly historic.

“This will see a festival of league celebrations right across the State in the lead up to the 3^rd October Grand Final.

“It will invest millions of dollars into local economies and boost intra-state tourism into regional Queensland cities.

“And a TV audience of more than 3 million viewers in 70 countries means it’s a wonderful opportunity to promote our great state.

“This is an unprecedented venture into regional Queensland by the NRL.”

Minister Hinchliffe added that the Queensland Government is also working with the NRL on a Centre of Excellence at QSAC for women’s rugby league.

“Queensland is a nursery for rugby league talent, and it makes sense to work with the NRL on ways we can support our future stars.

“Queensland’s world-leading response to the pandemic has given us the flexibility to host major sporting events and teams including last year’s AFL bubble and the AFL Grand Final, the entire WNBL season, Super Netball, the Rugby Championship, international women’s cricket and Super Netball.”

2021 NRL Finals:

Friday 10th September -Sunshine Coast
Saturday 11th September - Queensland Country Bank Stadium (double header)
Sunday 12th September - Rockhampton
Friday 17th September - Mackay
Saturday 18th September - Mackay
Friday 24th September - Suncorp Stadium
Saturday 25th September - Suncorp Stadium
Sunday 3rd October - Grand Final at Suncorp Stadium

Image: Queensland Country Bank Stadium opening night courtesy of Blair Hughes.

24th August 2021 - Sydney Roosters advise of plans to ban unvaccinated fans from NRL fixtures in 2022

3rd August 2021 - Suncorp Super Netball competition looks to maintain Queensland base

1st August 2021 - NRL sidesteps Greater Brisbane lockdown with five games in two days at Suncorp Stadium

31st July 2021 - AFL and NRL fixtures cancelled as snap lockdown introduced in South East Queensland

29th July 2021 - Ongoing Coronavirus challenges sees NRL delay plans for 17th team

12th July 2021 - NSW NRL clubs and Canberra Raiders to relocate to Queensland to counter NSW COVID-19 restrictions

5th July 2021 - Suncorp Stadium operating at full capacity while Brisbane’s entertainment venues stay closed

11th June 2021 - NRL announces expansion of women’s competition to six teams

14th May 2021 - Suncorp Stadium ready for NRL Magic Round

23rd April 2021 - Public dispute over NRL culture in wake of sex tape leak

12th April 2021 - NRL and Therabody partner to improve player recovery

2nd April 2021 - NRL relocates round four fixtures to Sydney

24th March 2021 - NRL completes restructuring of its medical department

23rd March 2021 - Sport Integrity Australia acknowledges suspension of NRL player for four years

19th March 2021 - Cbus Super Stadium to host NRL game without COVID capacity restrictions

15th March 2021 - Stadiums Queensland chooses Aruba to deliver a Wi-Fi experience at the Queensland Country Bank Stadium

9th February 2021 - Queensland Government and NRL aim for 50,000 fans a day at Suncorp Stadium during 2021 Magic Round

28th January 2021 - Hundreds of jobs promoted at Queensland Country Bank Stadium

20th November 2020 - Suncorp Super Netball Chief Executive to step down

19th November 2020 - Suncorp Stadium’s State of Origin crowd gains global acclaim

18th November 2020 - Suncorp Stadium State of Origin decider sets world’s post-COVID attendance record

14th March 2020 - Queensland Country Bank Stadium hosts first NRL fixture

21st February 2020 - North Queenslanders to take first look at new Queensland Country Bank Stadium

14th February 2020 - Queensland Country Bank Stadium to host its first Qantas Wallabies Test

Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.