Crystelle Cordero and Julian Keith
THE NRL Grand Final is on track for a full house of 80,000-plus fans at Stadium Australia on Sunday 4 October, with festivities planned throughout the day at Sydney Olympic Park.
As many as 30,000 Queenslanders are flooding across the border to be part of the first-ever all-Queensland NRL decider between the Brisbane Broncos and North Queensland Cowboys, with a high percentage of NSW fans supporting Johnathan Thurston’s Cowboys as they attempt to win their first-ever title.
Proud NSW clubs will also play a crucial part of 2015 NRL Grand Final Day, with Penrith Panthers v Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles for the Holden Cup Under-20s Grand Final (kickoff 1.35pm) before the Newcastle Knights – captained by club legend Clint Newton – take on the Ipswich Jets for the NRL State Championship.
There are limited tickets still available across most categories for NRL Grand Final Day. Check here. All tickets to the NRL Grand Final include return travel on Sydney Trains and Major Event Buses.
The full 2015 NRL Grand Final Day schedule:
| 11:00AM | Grand Final Celebrations begin in Sydney Olympic Park |
| 1:15PM | Gates Open |
| 1:35PM | 2015 Holden Cup Grand Final: Penrith Panthers v Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles |
| 3:40PM | 2015 State Championship Grand Final: Ipswich v Newcastle |
| 6:30PM | NRL Grand Final Pre-Game Show featuring Cold Chisel |
| 7:15PM | 2015 NRL Telstra Premiership Grand Final, Sydney |
You can guarantee your premium seat to the NRL Grand Final , and every regular sporting event at the stadium in 2016, by becoming an Stadium Australia Member. See here.
Direct trains will run between Central and Olympic Park every 15 minutes from 1pm to 5pm then every 7-8 minutes from 5pm to 9pm, stopping at Redfern and Strathfield.
Sydney Olympic Park Major Event Buses will start running between 12noon and 12:40pm depending on the route. Buses will begin arriving at Olympic Park from 1:30pm with the last bus expected to arrive by 7pm.
Fans are encouraged to arrive early, bring the energy and soak up all the pre-game atmosphere, with festivities kicking off from 11am.
Activities and entertainment include:
- Family friendly live entertainment and music;
- Beer garden in Cathy Freeman Park
- Kids Activity Marquee (face painting, colouring in and more)
- Live Motorcross
- Mini Touch Football Field
- Rides (including Sling Shot and Ball Kick)
- Pop-up cafes serving internationally themed street food
- Stage and roving entertainment
- Merchandise stalls
- Restaurants, cafes and bars open extended hours pre and post-game
The party will continue inside Stadium Australia with designated supporter bars. The North Queensland Cowboys Bar will be located at the northern end of the Stadium directly behind their supporters group the Stampede in Bays 117-121. The Brisbane Broncos Bar will be at the southern end behind the Bronco Stable in Bays 140-144.
While fans are encouraged to enjoy the day, NSW Police have reminded Grand Final attendees that NSW Licensing laws prohibit intoxicated patrons from entering Stadium Australia and that they will be removed from the Stadium if deemed to be intoxicated.
Stadium Australia is the largest licensed premises in NSW. NSW Licensing Police will have a strong presence both at the Stadium and also on transport services coming into Sydney Olympic Park.
With the length of day and the anticipated hot weather conditions, fans should ensure they drink responsibly and watch-out for friends and family.
It’s the historic all-Queensland NRL Grand Final this Sunday. Only one team will be celebrating come Sunday night. Who will you be supporting?
