The Sydney Cricket and Sports Grounds and Sydney Roosters have signed a landmark partnership that will see the back-to-back NRL premiers play home games and finals at the new Sydney Football Stadium for at least the next 25 years, when it opens in 2022.
The Eastern Suburbs club has called the Moore Park precinct home since its foundation in 1908 and will continue to do so until at least 2047.
The extension consolidates the longest hiring agreement between a stadium and club in rugby league history.
“This has, and always will be, the Roosters’ home turf,” said Sydney Cricket and Sports Grounds Chairman, Tony Shepherd.
“The partnership is testament to the loyalty and business acumen of [Roosters’ Chairman] Nick Politis. He has the Roosters’ best interests in his heart and now we have a long-term contract that binds the SCGT and the club even more closely in a true partnership.
“Earlier this month, Minister Lee oversaw the pouring of the first concrete foundations at the new SFS – this 25-year partnership is very important to the new stadium’s future.
“I can’t wait to see the Sydney Roosters run out for their first home game in 2022 in front of a capacity crowd.”
Following the demolition of old SFS at the end of the 2018 NRL season, the Sydney Roosters signed a commitment to play home fixtures out of the adjacent Sydney Cricket Ground for the length of the redevelopment project.
During the 2019 premiership season, the Roosters won 10 of 11 home matches at the SCG, on their way to securing the Club’s first set of back-to-back Premierships since 1974-75.
“The Roosters are part of the fabric of our grounds, the stories and culture that make the club so great are written here and will continue to be for the next 25 years at least,” Kerrie Mather, Sydney Cricket and Sports Grounds CEO, said of the partnership.
“Roosters fans love watching their team play here and we look forward to the atmosphere and excitement they will create in the new SFS.
“We look forward to building on our history and are excited about what the future holds for rugby league fans in Sydney as part of this landmark partnership.
“This is the longest venue partnership in rugby league history and continues a Roosters tradition that began in 1908.”
The new Sydney Football Stadium will be a modern, world-class, 42,500-seat sporting and entertainment precinct to ensure NSW remains the number one choice for the best events.
“The history of the Sydney Roosters began up the hill from the SFS site and we are delighted that our long-term future is locked in where we belong, and where our supporters have been cheering us on since 1908,” Sydney Roosters CEO Joe Kelly said.
“The new contract provides the perfect platform to give our Members, corporate partners and supporters the best experience at the biggest matches in the new world-class Sydney Football Stadium.
“I look forward to seeing the Roosters create even more history at the new SFS in 2022, building on the success we’ve had at our home grounds in the precinct for more than 110 years.”
Sydney Football Stadium Fly Through
The new SFS will bring Roosters Members and supporters closer to the action than ever before, with a new and diverse range of food and beverage outlets to ensure the very best of game day experiences.
The stadium will also boast premium corporate areas and the very latest in Wi-Fi and IPTV technology, shoring up the Moore Park precinct as the premier destination for sports and entertainment events in NSW.
“This is a partnership with the SCG in the truest sense of the word and reflects the status of the Sydney Roosters as an anchor tenant for the new Sydney Football Stadium.
“The match day experience will be like no other enabling us to work together more closely on building crowds and support; along with creating new blockbuster events like we did with the Anzac Day Cup, which has grown from a good idea into the biggest match of the NRL season.”
