NRL opens door for Raiders to host preliminary final in Canberra …
It’s not official yet, but the NRL is now open to allowing the Canberra Raiders to host a preliminary final in Canberra — provided the stadium meets certain criteria.
Canberra Stadium (GIO Stadium) is a smaller NRL venue at around 25,000 capacity and lacks covered seating and some modern amenities . According to the current NRL finals structure, if the top-four team that earns a home preliminary final is not a Sydney-based side, they can host at their usual home ground. But if it’s a Sydney team, the match is relocated to a major city stadium .
During the 2020 finals, Canberra did host a preliminary final at GIO Stadium, with special arrangements allowing one match there . That historical precedent shows it can be done — but the NRL will want Canberra Stadium to balance modern requirements with sufficient seating and coverage.
Canberra Stadium must undergo upgrades (e.g. more covered areas, improved fan facilities) to meet NRL standards.
The Raiders need to finish in the top 2 to secure their home preliminary final slot, ideally versus a non-Sydney opponent.
If both align, the NRL has signalled they’d be open to hosting it in Canberra, giving Raiders fans the home-ground advantage at GIO Stadium.
