Sydney Cricket Ground to host 2020 NRL Grand Final

Drew Darbyshire

Sydney Cricket Ground will stage the 2020 NRL Grand Final while the ANZ Stadium undergoes maintenance work.

Next year’s State of Origin series will still be played at the ANZ Stadium, but will then be occupied by construction work and will be out of action until at least the 2023 NRL season.

It will also leave Canterbury and South Sydney looking for a new home for the second half of next season.

According to NRL.com, it’s likely that the Bulldogs and Rabbitohs will play their home games in the first half of the year at ANZ Stadium and then play their remaining games at Bankwest Stadium.

The 46,000-capacity SCG will stage the 2020 Grand Final, with the NRL in talks with the New South Wales government about the following two final events.

NRL chief executive Todd Greenberg commented: “We always knew there would be some challenges for our clubs and for the game with major works being done to the stadium network in Sydney.

“We will work closely with the clubs as we develop the Premiership schedule in coming years, knowing ANZ Stadium as well as Allianz Stadium will not be available.

“Bankwest Stadium has been a wonderful addition to the sport this season and while we know there will be certain challenges over the next few years we also need to consider the fantastic result for the game when Allianz Stadium and ANZ Stadium are completed.

“We are not losing sight of the fact that over a four-year period we will have three purpose-built rectangular venues opening in Sydney. This remains a great result for the game.”

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