Your Ultimate Guide To The 2020 NRL Telstra Premiership Grand Final

Crystelle Cordero

THE stage is set for a blockbuster NRL Telstra Premiership Grand Final on Sunday, with Minor Premiers the Penrith Panthers taking on the Melbourne Storm at Stadium Australia. 

Sunday marks 22 NRL Grand Finals at the Stadium, with the Panthers and Storm facing off for the first time in a premiership decider.

Stadium Australia will be operating at 50% capacity with around 40,000 fans expected at the Grand Final, in line with NSW Public Health Orders.

With showers forecast, fans should bring a poncho or protective jacket. The game is a sellout with all 80,000 seats being used in a checkerboard pattern to maintain social distancing between groups. As a result, patrons must stay in their allocated seat. Umbrellas are not permitted in the seating bowl (as the people behind you won’t be able to see the game). Be prepared for some wet weather, and enjoy the game.

The Sydney Olympic Park precinct will come alive from 2pm with extensions to The Brewery, The Locker Room, and The Lounge, and a host of food truck options for everyone to enjoy before gates open at 3.15pm.

Grand Final Day will start inside the Stadium with the NRL Women’s Telstra Premiership Grand Final between the Brisbane Broncos and Sydney Roosters kicking off at 4.05pm, before Australian indie pop star Amy Shark takes to the stage to headline the pre-match entertainment kicking off from 6.30pm.

Pre-match entertainment will also feature the 2020 Retiring Players Tribute, a special tribute to Arthur Summons, as well as the Ken Stephen and Veronica White Medal presentation which honour the male and female player who have made the biggest contribution to their local communities this season.

Then all eyes will then turn to the NRL decider: Penrith Panthers v Melbourne Storm, kicking off at 7.30pm.

With a huge day and cracking atmosphere on the way, here is everything you need to know to make sure you have an unforgettable night.

WHAT TIME DOES IT START?       

• 2pm: Precinct celebrations begin in Sydney Olympic Park;
• 3.15pm: Gates Open;
• 4.05pm: Kick Off: NRL Women’s Telstra Premiership Grand Final;
• 6:30pm: Entertainment featuring Amy Shark, commences inside Stadium Australia;
• 7:30pm: 2020 NRL Telstra Premiership Grand Final Sydney: Penrith Panthers v Melbourne Storm.

PRE-GRAND FINAL CELEBRATIONS

From 2pm on Sunday fans are invited to Sydney Olympic Park for a celebration of food, drink and all things rugby league. 

Fans can hit the entertainment area in Cathy Freeman Park with the brand new Locker Room Hotel and ever-popular Brewery both boasting extensions, as well as an abundance of food trucks operating outside Stadium Australia.

More than 20 cafes, bars and restaurants will be open both before AND after the game in Sydney Olympic Park which will have you covered for a feed any time of day. 

HOW CAN I GET TO THE GAME?

With stadium capacities increasing and up to 40,000 people expected to attend the Grand Final at Stadium Australia, fans are encouraged to consider all the available travel options ahead of time as public transport continues to operate at a reduced capacity to maintain physical distancing across the network.

Fans are urged to drive with their group and take advantage of the discounted pre-book parking flat rate of $20 at Sydney Olympic Park car parks. There is plenty of parking available but it will be in high demand on the day so pre-book parking online, available until 11:59pm Saturday 24 October, to guarantee yourself a space in advance. Casual parking will be very limited and subject to availability.

For those catching public transport, plan ahead, aim to arrive early and allow plenty of extra travel time getting to and from Olympic Park. Remember to use your Opal card or a contactless payment method.

Express trains to Olympic Park will leave Central and Penrith regularly from around 2pm, with return services running from full-time until late.

Sydney Olympic Park Major Event buses will also be running on all routes with services starting from 2pm, depending on the route, and return services running from full-time.

Transport services will be busy, especially after the game, so be patient and allow extra time getting home. For more details and to plan your trip, visit info.

Wearing a face mask while travelling on public transport is strongly recommended and fans are encouraged to keep their face masks on until they reach their seats inside the stadium.

After the game, avoid the queues for transport services and wait times leaving car parks by enjoying the post-match presentation from your seats. You can also continue to purchase food and beverage from outlets.

Additional measures and staff will be in place around transport hubs and Stadium Australia to safely manage crowds arriving and leaving the game so be patient, practise physical distancing while in queues and follow the directions of staff on site.

STAYING COVID SAFE

Please stay home if you have been feeling unwell, have been in contact with anyone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19, or is awaiting the results of a COVID-19 test (including yourself).

If you are a resident or recent visitor in a COVID-19 hotspot (such as Victoria) over the last 14 days, or have visited any of the venues listed on the NSW Health website here in the designated time period, do not attend the event.

Fans are strongly encouraged to wear face masks when entering the stadium and moving around the venue, including whilst buying food and beverages and using the bathroom facilities and are reminded to maintain physical distancing of 1.5m at all times, other than when with your immediate group.

With Stadium capacity increasing to 50 per cent – in line with NSW Government Health Orders – fans should be aware there will be more people attending Saturday’s event than there has been in recent months. Whether in the Members’ areas, general supporter areas or in Corporate Suites, boxes or function spaces, all guests are encouraged to be aware of their personal space while staying tolerant of those in close proximity.

Seating will be allocated using a checkerboard system, ensuring seats directly in front and behind each group remain empty in order to maintain physical distancing.

While in the venue please remain seated at all times unless buying food and beverage or using the bathrooms. As per NSW Health Orders, fans must be seated when consuming alcohol.

There will be no cash facilities at the Stadium. All transactions will be by contactless card.

The NSW Government has introduced COVID Safe QR Code check-in using the Service NSW App. QR Codes will be place in all private suites and lounges, and in areas of the general seating bowl, with fans encouraged to participate and help keep everyone COVID Safe. 

Stadium Australia continues to work closely with NSW Health, the NRL, Transport for NSW and Venues NSW to ensure the venue is COVIDSafe, and to facilitate a smooth transition to and from the event

SAFETY AND SECURITY AT ANZ STADIUM

Public safety is our No.1 priority at Stadium Australia.

The Stadium works closely with NSW Police and other authorities to ensure everyone’s safety at all events.

A high NSW Police and Security presence will be in place for the NRL Grand Final, both inside Stadium Australia and throughout the Sydney Olympic Park precinct before, during and after the event.

Fans are encouraged to arrive early and leave additional time for the security screening process when entering the Stadium. This process will include mandatory bag searches and personal checks.

Only small bags (no larger than 30cm x 40cm) are permitted into Stadium Australia for events, and all bags will be checked by security. Fans should arrive without bags if possible.

See something/Say something: Please report any unusual or suspicious behaviour or unattended items to Customer Service staff, Police or Security.

Thank you for helping us provide a safe environment for this great event.

Enjoy the game!