NRL considering building a stadium in Liverpool or Rossmore
The NRL is considering building a new stadium in Sydney it would own, with the Bulldogs and Tigers sounded out to play home games at the venue.
The Sydney Morning Herald has reported ARLC chairman Peter V'landys and NRL CEO Andrew Abdo recently spoke to officials from both clubs surrounding the idea of owning a potential new stadium in Liverpool or Rossmore near Western Sydney airport.
The land at Liverpool, owned by the Canterbury Leagues Club, has been previously earmarked for a new stadium, going as far back as 1998 with the proposed Oasis project incorporating a 34,000-seat stadium complete with a retractable roof. More recently, a $600 million Liverpool Sports and Entertainment Centre was proposed at the Woodward Park site.
The other potential site is in Rossmore near the new Western Sydney Airport which is due to open in 2026.
The National Rugby League is believed to have approached the NSW Government regarding funding for the proposed stadium, however they’ve believed to be met with resistance due to the Government on the verge of committing millions in funding elsewhere.
After the Government abandoned the $810 million Stadium Australia redevelopment in 2020, there have been several pushes to redirect the funding to other stadium projects in the state, including from the NRL who want investment in Sydney stadiums to guarantee the NRL Grand Final remains in the city into the future.
Last week, it was reported the Panthers would benefit first, with the construction of a new 25,000-seat stadium at Penrith, while money would also be spent on Brookvale Oval and Jubilee Stadium, as well as Stadium Australia for a retractable roof.
If the NRL did own their own stadium, it would be similar a similar arrangement to the AFL, who purchased Marvel Stadium in 2016. The league could then generate revenue from the venue, including renting it out for other sports and entertainment events.
The Bulldogs currently call Stadium Australia home, while the Wests Tigers play home games at three venues – Leichhardt Oval, Campbelltown Stadium and CommBank Stadium.
Wests Tigers chairman Lee Hagipantelis has made it well known that he believes the greatest challenge facing the club is securing a permanent home in the short to medium term.
Speaking with 2GB, Peter V'landys said, “As you know there was $800 million set aside to upgrade ANZ (Stadium Australia), that's not going to happen, there will be some funds going to ANZ but the majority will be spent on suburban stadiums, we also want one out in Liverpool where we can have the Bulldogs and possibly the Tigers.”