A radical bid for the NRL grand final has been rejected after the Queensland government pledged $200m in an effort to move the spectacle from Sydney to Brisbane, reports The Sydney Morning Herald.
NRL powerbrokers reportedly turned down a four-year rotation proposal that would’ve seen Sydney host the grand final in 2023 before a move to Brisbane in 2024.
Sydney would’ve played host again in 2025 before the 2026 grand final was put to tender.
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Overall, the Queensland government’s pitch was for a 12-year plan from 2023 with $200 million on offer. Sydney would’ve held the majority share of hosting rights.
The bold plan was all part of the government’s preparation for the 2032 Olympic games, with Brisbane hosting three grand finals beforehand.
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In further detail, Brisbane would’ve hosted the 2031 grand final to allow the city to prepare its infrastructure one year before the Olympic Games.
The NRL would’ve stood to receive $15 million per grand final from the Queensland government with the opportunity for further funding during the fourth year of the bidding process.
News of the NRL rejecting this offer comes just over a week since chairman Peter V’landys stated moving the grand final to Melbourne in the future ‘could be an option for us’.
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