NRL CEO Peter V'Landys has confirmed Sydney is not a guarantee to host the grand final in 2027.
The NRL are currently working on a tender process with short-term contracts the goal, and Sydney's, through the NSW state government, expires at the end of 2026.
It has been theorised that the harbour city will not be able to host the decider in 2028 with a looming visit from the Pope on the same day that would stretch the city's policing and transport system to its limit, with up to 400,000 people likely to attend that.
It could mean the NRL either sign a one-year deal with Sydney before looking elsewhere, although discussions between the game's authorities and the government remain ongoing, with the NSW government keen to do everything possible to keep the decider.
The NSW government already loses Magic Round to Queensland each year, with another long-term contract locked in to keep the NRL's regular season showpiece north, while one of the State of Origin games will continue to be played outside of Sydney and Brisbane, starting in Auckland in 2027.
V'Landys, speaking to News Corp, revealed it's actually a better commercial deal for the game to have the grand final in Brisbane.
“It's commercially more viable here (Brisbane) than it is in New South Wales,” he told the publication.
“Even with 20,000 fewer seats, we make more money here than we do in Sydney.
“It's not about the commercial side because commercially it makes sense to have it here [in Queensland].
“We've got a sense of loyalty to (NSW) Premier (Chris) Minns – he has been fantastic for the game, as has the sports minister Steve Kamper.
“A lot of it is loyalty, but we are very loyal to David Crisafulli as well.
“It's going to be a hard decision.”
A timeline for a decision on the future of the NRL grand final is yet to be set, however, it's understood the Queensland government, as well as the Victorian and Western Australian state governments, are keen.
The only time the NRL grand final - or associated competitions dating back more than 100 years - has been played outside of Sydney was in the COVID-impacted 2021 campaign and the Super League season of 1997.
