Australian NRL’s South Sydney Rabbitohs have locked in a long-term venue strategy that sees them returning to Allianz Stadium while maintaining a presence at Accor Stadium through to the end of the 2030 NRL season.
The Rabbitohs, Venues NSW and the NSW Government have reached agreement on a split of home games for the club over the next four seasons.
This new deal has been reached following extensive negotiations between the NSW Government and the South Sydney Rabbitohs and will come at no cost to taxpayers.
It will see the Rabbitohs return to their heartland in South Sydney in a graduated manner whilst maintaining a foothold at Accor Stadium in western Sydney up until the end of the 2030 season.
The 42,500-capacity Sydney Football Stadium, currently known as the Allianz Stadium for sponsorship reasons, is a multipurpose stadium in Moore Park, a suburb of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
Built as a replacement for the original now-demolished 45,500-capacity Sydney Football Stadium it officially opened on August 28th, 2022, and serves as the residence of the Sydney FC.
Since opening, Allianz Stadium has been home to the Sydney Roosters, as well as hosting home matches for the Dragons, Bulldogs and Rabbitohs in the NRL. It is also home to Super Rugby’s NSW Waratahs and the A-Leagues’ Sydney FC.
The 80,000 capacity Stadium Australia, currently known as Accor Stadium for sponsorship reasons, is a multi-purpose stadium located in the suburb of Sydney Olympic Park, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
For the upcoming 2026 season, the team will play 16 games in Sydney, splitting their home matches between the two major venues with seven at Accor Stadium and two home games at Allianz Stadium (including the season closer against the Roosters in Round 27).
In future years, their commitment increases under a new deal signed with Venues NSW. The new four-year deal secures the following:
- 2027 NRL season – seven Rabbitohs home matches at Accor Stadium and four at Allianz Stadium
- 2028 NRL season – seven Rabbitohs home matches at Accor Stadium and five at Allianz Stadium
- 2029 NRL season – seven Rabbitohs home matches at Accor Stadium and five at Allianz Stadium
- 2030 NRL season – seven Rabbitohs home matches at Accor Stadium and five at Allianz Stadium
Under the new deal, all Rabbitohs interstate home matches will return to Sydney to be hosted across Accor and Allianz Stadiums.
The Rabbitohs-Bulldogs Good Friday blockbuster will remain at Accor Stadium, with the Roosters match and Gadhu Gathering indigenous round matches at Allianz Stadium.
In addition, the Rabbitohs will play at least one away game at each of these stadiums each year.
Rabbitohs Chairman, Nicholas Pappas AM, is delighted with the outcome of the negotiations with both Venues NSW and the NSW Government on behalf of the Rabbitohs Members and supporters.
He said, “This is a landmark moment for our club. This new deal ensures more matches at our spiritual home at Allianz Stadium while retaining our historical connection to Accor Stadium, where we have seen so much success.
“Both venues are an important part of our club’s history and future, and this new deal is a win for our Members and fans who will get to see more home matches in Sydney.
“We would like to thank the NSW Government and Venues NSW for working with us and we’re excited to continue to create history at these venues.”
NSW Premier, Chris Minns, added, “This is a great outcome for NSW and Rabbitohs fans – more Rabbitohs matches at their two spiritual homes, Accor where they broke their Grand Final drought in 2014 and Allianz at Moore Park, where the club established itself as the Pride of the League.”
Minister for Sport, Steve Kamper, said: “By working closely with the NSW Government and Venues NSW, the Rabbitohs have helped settle a long-running debate and, most importantly, ensured more NRL matches are played in Sydney at our major venues.
“This is a win for Sydney’s footy fans, with more Rabbitohs games in our city and at our major stadiums.”
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