Grand Final will remain at Hull’s KCOM Stadium, says Robert Elstone

Officials were forced to look for a new venue when Old Trafford, which has hosted the event every year since its inauguration in 1998, became unavailable due to Manchester United fixture clashes and, when the decision was made, Hull were out of the play-off picture.

However, the decision to expand the Grand Final series from four clubs to six opened the door for the Black and Whites, and their unexpected 27-14 win over Warrington in the first elimination play-off on Thursday night means they are just 80 minutes away from reaching the final.

In a media briefing, Elstone insisted that, even if Hull beat Wigan in next Thursday’s semi-final, the KCOM will remain the venue for the November 27 decider, which will be played behind closed doors.

“We elected to go to KCOM when it was still the top four and Hull were unlikely to get there so that was a factor,” Elstone said.

“However, we’re contracted to KCOM and we’re going to KCOM. A huge amount of work is going in to making KCOM look brilliant. A substantial budget is being applied to create a really special television event.

“We’re targeting a record television audience for that event. There is a lot of work going on to make that a special occasion.”