Sunshine Coast Stadium has been locked in as Melbourne Storm’s “home away from home” for its remaining three allocated home fixtures in the 2020 NRL season.
Storm is unbeaten since relocating to the Sunshine Coast in June, with wins against Gold Coast, Newcastle and Canterbury at Sunshine Coast Stadium helping the club to second on the ladder with six rounds remaining.
In the lead-up to the finals series, Storm’s home games on the Coast will be against Manly (round 16), North Queensland (round 18) and Wests Tigers (round 19).
Melbourne Storm members will have an early window to redeem their ticket prior to tickets going on sale to public, subject to capacity due to Covid restrictions. Members will receive communication directly from the club
Those fans who were issued automatic refunds to the Storm v Bulldogs match will also get priority access via Ticketek to the Manly game which will go on public sale from 9am, Monday, August 24.
Tickets for the Round 18 and 19 fixtures will be released on the Monday before each home game.
The Sunshine Coast Stadium site specific COVID Safe plan has been reviewed and approved by the Queensland Government. The venue layout will be similar to the Storm v Bulldogs match with an overall approved capacity of approximately 4100, while the individual seating on the eastern and southern mounds will again be included as part of the approval.
Storm CEO Dave Donaghy said the Sunshine Coast had proven to be a great home away from home in difficult times.
This has been a very challenging period for Storm, but the wonderful assistance of Sunshine Coast Council and the great support we’ve had from the wider Coast community and our sister club at the Sunshine Coast Lightning has helped us through.
CEO Dave Donaghy
“It has really consolidated the close ties we already had with the Sunshine Coast.
“While our home will always be Melbourne, and we deeply miss our members and fans there, our players love running out onto Sunshine Coast Stadium, seeing all the purple in the crowd and hearing the cheers which are getting louder every week.
“This is an exciting time as we build towards the finals and we’re delighted to be able to share what is an unique experience with our members and fans here.”
Sunshine Coast Council Mayor Mark Jamieson said council was excited to secure three more home games and continue to be Storm’s home away from home.
“It’s been very difficult circumstances for the NRL this year to continue during COVID-19, but to every storm there is a silver lining and it’s been a terrific boost for the Sunshine Coast region to host six games for the 2020 regular season,” Mayor Jamieson said.
“We thank Melbourne Storm for choosing our premier destination to base themselves here and will be cheering them on as they prepare for the finals.”
Sunshine Coast Economic Portfolio Councillor Jason O’Pray said: “Having Melbourne Storm temporarily live, train and play on the Sunshine Coast has generated millions to our local region and is just one part of council’s economic stimulus response during COVID-19.
“This partnership also includes the Storm promoting the Sunshine Coast destination throughout the 2021 season, which means we will see even more tourism benefits start to flow once borders open up again.
“It has also provided our local community with the opportunity to witness elite NRL in person, with the majority of spectators having been Sunshine Coast locals.”
