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Penrith get stadium upgrade, opening 2025

3 minute read

The NSW government has confirmed that Penrith will have a new stadium for 2025, with the Panthers to move homes in 2023 and 2024.

NRL premiers Penrith will get the home ground they have long desired with a new stadium providing seating for up to 30,000 fans to be completed by 2025.

The NSW government confirmed the upgrade on Thursday, with an estimated cost of around $300 million for the two-year project.

The Panthers will move out of the ground after the 2022 season, with Commbank Stadium their likely alternative home before returning in 2025.

The news comes as the first major stadium announcement since ARL Commission chair Peter V'landys made a push for suburban facelifts last season.

"We have a great stadium in Parramatta and it has brought that city to life," NSW premier Dominic Perrottet.

"And now we're going to see that in western Sydney. It's going to be great for rugby league.

"But it's also going to be great for the community. We'll open up more events and more culture."

It comes with the Panthers having sold out every home match from the time the competition restarted last year until it was moved to Queensland this year.

While capacities were limited for the majority of those matches, the Panthers were the only club to regularly sell out in that time with their on-field dominance.

"It's telling you if you're going to build a stadium somewhere it's got to be here," CEO Brian Fletcher told AAP in April.

"We're stopping the people from coming here because we haven't got enough room.

"Every game has been sold out before the game. We could have a suburban ground with 25,000 people here rather than locking people out every week.

"It just makes sense."

Kogarah and Brookvale Oval remain the other two leading candidates to be upgraded to boutique stadiums.

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