The Hunter faithful are turning up the heat with the Newcastle Knights dominating ticket sales for their blockbuster prelim final against the Penrith Panthers.
The Knights have confirmed two-thirds of the tickets purchased for the clash in Sydney are Newcastle representation, which is set to see the Novocastrians flock into Accor Stadium in red and blue.
Seven supporter buses have already committed to the trip down the motorway, with the Knights closing in on a Grand Final appearance in 2026.
“Having 65 per cent of the crowd attributed to Knights supporters is a powerful reflection of just how passionate and loyal our supporter base is,” Knights Chief Commercial Officer Jodie Cross said.
“We have some of the most avid and committed fans in the game, and we're incredibly grateful for the belief and support they have shown our team throughout the season.”
The Knights have always held a reputation for outstanding local turnouts at home games over the years, even in the club's weaker years on the paddock.
In Newcastle's three seasons in a row finishing in last place, from 2015 to 2017, the club still averaged over 15,000 people in attendance during those regular seasons.
It is well over some NRL clubs in the Sydney cluster, even during their dominant periods.
The support provided by the Newcastle faithful will give the club an extra boost when they come up against the Penrith juggernaut.
“To see so many Novocastrians getting behind the Knights and travelling to support the team is something we're incredibly proud of,” Cross said.
“Our fans and members are a huge part of what makes this club special, and we know they'll make their voices heard.”
The Knights have come off two strong wins in the finals series so far, bowling over South Sydney in the elimination rounds before facing the Warriors in the do-or-die semi-finals, before progressing into Week 3.
The Knights came away with a two-point victory over the Warriors following an outstanding effort from some Newcastle senior players in Kalyn Ponga, Phoenix Crossland and Bradman Best.
They will take a world of confidence out of the hostile Eden Park fixture, which reached historic levels of attendance for NRL matches in New Zealand.
Meanwhile, the Panthers are currently nursing a foot injury to Nathan Cleary, with the jury still out on his fitness levels heading into the game.
If the Penrith maestro has a limited kicking game from his foot issue, the Knights will be well in the mix for a massive upset and booking the last spot in the Grand Final on Sunday week.
Up north in Brisbane, the Dolphins will also raise the sold-out sign ahead of their preliminary final against the Roosters at Suncorp Stadium.
It shapes up as the most important fixture in the Dolphins' brief history, and the Redcliffe locals have moved to make sure it's a hostile environment for the visiting tri-colours.
The Dolphins will host the Roosters on Friday at Queensland's iconic stadium at 7:50 pm.
The Knights' preliminary final showdown will kick off at Accor Stadium at 4:05 pm on Sunday afternoon.
