The South Sydney Rabbitohs and Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs will play the 2014 NRL Telstra Premiership Grand Final Sydney in front of a sell-out crowd, the NRL announced today.
Head of Commercial, Paul Kind said all available tickets to the match, at ANZ Stadium on Sunday, have been sold.
This means more than 80,000 fans will be part of Rugby League history as South Sydney attempt to secure their first Premiership in 43 years and the Bulldogs their first in a decade.
The last time these two sides met in a Grand Final was 1967 when South Sydney defeated Canterbury 12-10 at the Sydney Cricket Ground in front of more than 55,000 fans.
"Nothing quite beats the thrill of having your team in the Premiership decider but for all Rugby League fans there is a special feeling about Grand Final day," Mr Kind said.
"The excitement has been building throughout the week and with a full house at ANZ Stadium on Sunday the atmosphere will be electric."
Fans are encouraged to catch the train to ANZ Stadium early on Grand Final day with the precinct to be transformed into a carnival from 11am. It will feature rides, team bars, food stalls, family-friendly activities and a merchandise marquee.
"The Grand Final precinct will be free to everyone visiting Sydney Olympic Park on Grand Final day so arrive early and spend the day with your friends and other supporters," Mr Kind said.
The lead up to the Grand Final will see the stadium lit up with a spectacular lighting show and pre-game entertainment from international artists, Train and legendary guitarist, Slash.
The day will also feature the 2014 Holden Cup Grand Final and the inaugural NRL State Championship Grand Final. This will feature the winners of the VB NSW Cup (the Penrith Panthers) and the Intrust Super Cup winners (Northern Pride) before the 2014 NRL Telstra Premiership Grand Final Sydney kicks off at 7.22pm.
"The NSW Government is proud to support the NRL Grand Final, one of the largest annual sporting events in Australia, through our tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW," NSW Deputy Premier and Minister for Tourism and Major Events Andrew Stoner said.
"In 2010 the NSW Government secured the NRL Grand Final for our State until 2019, and with a fantastic week of events and activities leading into Grand Final weekend, along with a game-day crowd consistently above 80,000, there is no doubt that the NRL Grand Final belongs in Sydney, the home of Rugby League."
The NRL has warned fans not to purchase tickets from unlicensed sellers. It said the tickets may not be valid and patrons may not gain entry to the venue with such tickets.
The 2014 NRL Telstra Premiership Grand Final will be broadcast live on Channel 9 across Australia and internationally through broadcasters in Africa and Asia (excluding Japan), The Middle East, Pacific Islands and the following countries: USA, Brazil, Canada, Cook Islands, Fiji, Soloman Islands, Samoa, Tonga, United Kingdom, France, Portugal and Romania. It will also be broadcast on some Australian-based cruise ships.
