The NRL Grand Final returned to Sydney on Sunday night for the first time since 2019, showcasing fantastic feats on the field and delivering significant economic benefits off it.
Minister for Sport Alister Henskens said the 2022 NRLW-NRL Grand Final lived up to the hype and will be remembered for generations to come.
"The atmosphere in the lead up to the game was absolutely electric right across this great State and the traditional rivals didn't disappoint, putting on a show of strength and tenacity for footy fans," Mr Henskens said.
Minister for Western Sydney David Elliott said Sunday's NRL Grand Final between the Parramatta Eels and the Penrith Panthers was one of the biggest celebrations for the people of western Sydney in decades.
"Sunday was a super-charged emotional day for all western Sydney NRL fans. The blockbuster Grand Final was worth the wait and produced an injection of cash into local western Sydney businesses and hospitality venues." Mr Elliott said.
Minister for Tourism Ben Franklin said Sydney was the perfect host for the game's showpiece event with more than 83,000 fans packing out Accor Stadium in a sell-out.
"An estimated 31,000 visitors made the trip to NSW to watch the NRL Grand Final, injecting $18 million into our economy, with the majority spent in the western Sydney region including on accommodation, hospitality and entertainment," Mr Franklin said.
"The NRL Grand Final makes a vital social and economic contribution to the State, creating and supporting thousands of jobs and providing a significant boost to the NSW visitor economy."
Penrith Panthers fan Jan Archibald from Glenmore Park said she took her entire family to the NRL Grand Final to watch their beloved Panthers.
"I took our entire family of eight people to watch the game and because Sydney is hosting the Grand Final we could afford to go and have a special moment with the family," Jan said.
Parramatta fan and Camden resident Mahlon Webber said having the NRL Grand Final in Sydney was a huge cost-saver for his family.
"It was so exciting to watch the NRL Grand Final live in Sydney on Sunday. This meant as a family we didn't have to spend thousands of dollars on flights and accommodation going to QLD or anywhere else to watch the game," Mahlon said.
The NRL Grand Final is part of an incredible line-up of sporting events hosted exclusively in and around Sydney throughout spring and summer, including Wallabies vs South Africa 2022 eToro Rugby Championship match, Matildas vs Canada, the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup, the UCI Road World Championships, The Everest, Bathurst 1000, Sydney Super Cup, Sydney 7's, ATP Cup and SailGP.
