The China Mail - Panthers expected to begin 2027 NRL season away from new stadium

The new Penrith Stadium is expected to be ready in time for the opening round of the 2027 NRL season, but it’s still likely the Panthers is expected to be on the road for their early matches. There is no delay to the build of the new $309 million venue but there’s a lack of appetite for risk around weather delays through the summer.

Despite reports, the Panthers have not formally requested their first handful of games to be away matches. But that’s still how it’s likely to land.

The NRL draw for 2027 is set to be released next week and head office itself along with the State Government, Infrastructure NSW, Venues NSW and the Panthers all have a say in what the opening rounds look like for Penrith. The State Government is understood to be wary of a potentially embarrassing situation if a Panthers home game scheduled for Round 1 or 2 had to be moved.

Complicating matters further is the State Election – which is expected to be held on March 13. In an ideal world, Premier Chris Minns would be cutting a ribbon on the stadium just days out from the election in what could have been a huge boost to the party’s efforts to retain Penrith, which is a marginal seat.

But the risk of a delay and a moved match is not worth the PR nightmare that would be generated. It’s still possible a token opening is expected to be held prior to the election, if the stadium is ready. Regardless, more milestone moments are expected to be celebrated in front of the cameras over the next few months.

The Weekender understands the club is comfortable with playing away over the first few weeks of the season. There would still be 10 games at Helloworld Stadium next year – and playing long stretches away from home is nothing unusual.

Penrith’s home game in Bathurst has remained mentioned as a possible way to manipulate the early rounds to delay the club’s homecoming. But the club states they have not requested this specifically, though the Bathurst game is expected to be played within the first eight weeks. Officially, Infrastructure NSW is remaining tight-lipped on the stadium construction timeline.

“The project is on track for the 2027 NRL season,” a spokesperson stated. Despite the vagueness, the Weekender understands the stadium is at present on track to be handed over to Venues NSW, who will operate the venue, well before the start of the season.

One possibility that is believed to have been floated is the potential of opening the stadium at Easter with a family-themed celebration. Easter this year falls on the last weekend of March – Round 4 of the NRL. Penrith have played the last two seasons away from Penrith, with home games primarily played at CommBank Stadium in Parramatta.

G.Fung--ThChM