- Melbourne Storm and Penrith Panthers to meet in 2024 decider
- Rights to 2025 NRL Grand Final up in the air
- The NRL could break 116 years of tradition and bring forward the Grand Final
The NRL’s exclusive deal to play its grand final in Sydney could be lifted next season with the showpiece event moved to the heart of the AFL.
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan has stated her intention to host the NRL grand final and play it at the MCG in 2025, and the NRL is open to the idea.
The Penrith Panthers and Melbourne Storm will meet in the 2024 decider at Accor Stadium in what could be the last year Sydney holds the mortgage on the event.
The NRL grand final has been held in Sydney every season for 116 years, except in 2021 when lockdowns and Covid regulations forced it to be moved to Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium.
Now Australian Rugby League Commission chairman Peter V’landys is willing to sell the grand final to the highest bidder.
And the Victorian Premier combined with the Melbourne Storm are looking to open their pockets in a bid to hold the NRL and AFL grand finals at the MCG in 2025.
“Melbourne is the sporting capital of Australia,” Allan said on Triple M Breakfast with Rosie, Wil and Daisy in Melbourne.
“It doesn’t surprise me that the NRL may be interested in bringing the grand final to Melbourne and we are absolutely willing to be involved in the discussion.”
Nathan Cleary of the Panthers and Harry Grant of the Storm with the NRL trophy ahead of the 2024 NRL Grand Final at Accor Stadium, Sydney
The Victorian government wants to host the NRL Grand Final in the heart of the AFL at the MCG
‘This year the second State of Origin was held at the MCG, 90,000 people attended.
‘The biggest crowds the NRL gets for its State of Origin matches are here in Melbourne at the MCG.
“It’s no surprise that clubs, players, fans want to see the NRL play at the MCG, the best stadium in the country, so of course we’re willing to have a conversation with the NRL.
‘(The MCG) is the best venue in the country, the best fans in the country, and they will pack the place.
“It would be a great experience for the players and a great experience for the fans.”
The NRL has given the green light to Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan to bid for the 2025 Grand Final and beyond.
The door is wide open for it to become a reality as V’Landys refuses to shut down the NRL grand final in Sydney.
“There is no agreement in place,” V’landys told News Corp.
“At the moment we don’t have any agreements with anyone, so anything is possible.”
Many football fans are also open to the idea, provided that other locations are also considered in the future.
“We should rotate it between the capitals and Auckland,” one fan posted.
“It has to be in Brisbane before we get to Melbourne,” insisted another.
State of Origin matches have already been held at the MCG and have attracted record crowds
However, others said the MCG oval would not be suitable for rugby league and that fans would be too far from the action.
‘No, thanks. It’s no fun watching the NRL play on ovals. “Being closer to the action by watching it on my TV screen,” one fan posted.
‘Rectangular sports are not good to watch on huge ovals like the MCG. “Just play that damn thing in Sydney and fast forward time to twilight on Sunday afternoon,” said another.
Regardless, Storm president Matthew Tripp said the club would look to join with the Victorian government to make this happen.
“If there is an opportunity to bid for the grand final to be held in a particular city, I would gladly fly the flag for Melbourne,” Tripp said.
“I don’t think Homebush is people’s favorite place and I think you could create that excitement by taking the grand final from city to city.”