There are two new cities ready to launch a bid to host the NRL's Grand Final in 2028.
The Sydney Morning Herald is reporting Melbourne and Auckland have expressed interest in hosting the NRL's biggest fixture, with Sydney facing competition following the rising stature of the two areas within the game.
Melbourne have just come off a record-breaking State of Origin series, holding 91,671 fans in the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground at Game 2, the highest attendance ever in a State of Origin fixture.
It indicates a clear passage to hold the NRL's first weekend in October at the ground and is arguably the premier stadium in the country.
“When the world's biggest sporting events look for a home – they choose Melbourne,” Victorian Minister for Major Events Anthony Carbines told the Sydney Morning Herald.
“That's because everyone knows that Melbourne is the events capital of Australia – not Sydney or Brisbane.
“We'll continue conversations about a wide range of events that pump millions into our economy and create more jobs.”
Meanwhile, hype is growing across the Tasman, with Auckland also looking to launch a bid for the NRL's showpiece.
The city's Eden Park will create history in 2027 when State of Origin leaves Australian shores for the first time professionally, and will host Game 2 of the series in the Blues' title defence series.
If all goes well commercially, it will place greater strength in its argument to hold the two NRL teams for a Grand Final.
The NRL is looking likely to announce a 20th NRL team sooner rather than later for a 2029 entry following a record-breaking TV rights deal becoming finalised in July.
Reports suggest New Zealand is leading the race to hold a second team, with Christchurch firming as the location for the side following the opening of the flashy new ONE NZ Stadium in the city.
The Warriors franchise is also thriving more than ever, with constant sell-outs across the country and yielding results on the field.
“It would be fantastic if the NRL grand final was in Auckland in 2028 and we are all looking forward to next year's State of Origin game at Eden Park, which is sure to be a huge success,” Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown said to the publication.
“The Warriors' continued success has generated enormous excitement, and Auckland's appetite for rugby league right now is insatiable.”
The NRL has only experienced a Grand Final out of Sydney once, when the COVID-19 pandemic forced the 2021 decider to Suncorp Stadium to be moved due to attendance restrictions in Queensland.
