1 December 2023
Tickets on sale for Darwin's NRL blockbuster clash
Rugby League fans can now grab tickets for the much-anticipated 2024 Top End NRL clash between the mighty Parramatta Eels and the League's newest club, the Dolphins. The Eels were Premiership finalists in 2022 and have been playing in the Territory since 2014. They will be looking to get some wins on the board early in the 2024 season. The Dolphins notched up some impressive wins in their debut season this year, beating five of the eight teams that finished top of the ladder, and will be hoping for more of the same in 2024.
Set to take place on Friday, 19 April 2024 at Darwin's TIO Stadium, the blockbuster event will bring some of the game's greats to the Territory. It will also encourage interstate fans of the two opposing teams to come to the Top End to cheer on their heroes and take the opportunity to explore the unique tourism experiences on offer.
In addition, a number of community engagement events will take place while the teams are in the Territory. Details will be revealed nearer the time.
The 2024 Premiership match follows a sold-out top-flight footy clash in 2023, with almost 12,500 fans descending on Darwin's TIO stadium to watch the Eels and Brisbane Broncos battle it out for the ANZAC Round match.
Next year's NRL game is part of a long-running partnership between the Northern Territory Government and Parramatta Eels, delivered through Northern Territory Major Events Company (NTMEC). The partnership delivers a range of benefits for the Territory, bringing world-class sport to Darwin, and promoting Territory tourism at interstate Eels games and through their digital channels.
Tickets start from $30 for adults and $10 for children. Hospitality options are also available. Visit here
Quotes from NTMEC CEO Suzana Bishop:
"The countdown is on for the 2024 NRL season, and this Premiership match will draw thousands of footy fans to the Top End to see their League heroes. Once here they can explore everything the Territory has to offer, and maybe even enjoy a road trip down to Alice Springs to catch Parrtjima - A Festival in Light, which takes place in April.
"Independent research shows more than 18 per cent of visitors to the 2023 ANZAC Round match in Darwin were from interstate. Along with intrastate fans and a few from overseas, they generated 9,145 visitor nights across the NT.
"This is wonderful news for our tourism and hospitality sectors, with next year's game set to attract an equally enthusiastic crowd. The game will also be on free-to-air TV, which sees Darwin and its surrounds beamed onto TV screens around the country."
Quotes from Parramatta Eels Captain Clint Gutherson:
"When the draw release comes out, we always mark the NT game in our calendar, it's one of our favourite trips of the year.
"The territory has always felt like another home for us. We love connecting with the fans, there are so many familiar faces who have showed up to support us over the years and we really appreciate them."
