Knights Grand Final: where to watch the big game

The Newcastle Knights have made it to the NRL Grand Final, and the city is turning itself into one big fan zone. The big game is on Sunday 4 October at 7:30 pm AEST, and while the match itself is being played at Accor Stadium in Sydney, the official live site for Newcastle fans is right here at McDonald Jones Stadium, the Newcastle International Sports Centre. Gates open at 3:30 pm, so there is plenty of time to settle in before the first whistle.

Entry to the live site is free, but there is a catch you cannot skip: everyone, including children of all ages, needs a ticket. You grab them through Ticketmaster, and there is a limit of six tickets per transaction. There are two general admission options to choose from, Field General Admission and Grandstand General Admission, along with accessible seating, so you can pick whether you would rather be down on the grass or up in the stands. Either way, it is free, so the only cost is the time it takes to book.

Getting there and back is worth planning a bit ahead. The nearest train station is Broadmeadow, about a 15-minute walk from the ground, which is the easiest way in and out. If you are driving, parking is set up at the Newcastle Harness Racing Club, with access via Jackson Street in Broadmeadow. It is A$15 per vehicle, cash or EFTPOS both fine, and it runs on a first-in basis with no pre-booking, so the earlier you arrive, the better your chances of a spot.

Before you pack the car, a quick look at what you can and cannot bring in. Chairs of any kind, including low chairs and camping chairs, are not allowed, but picnic rugs are fine, so bring one to sit on. Beach trolleys and wagons are a no, but small eskies are okay as long as what is inside fits the conditions of entry. Glass and alcohol cannot be brought into the stadium, and smoking is not permitted in the grandstand or any of the seated areas.

For a bit of context on what is at stake, the Knights have not been in a Grand Final since 2001, so this is a huge moment for the club. They take on the Sydney Roosters, and the team sheet has a few stories to it: captain Kalyn Ponga has played 18 matches this season with 14 try assists, hooker Harrison Graham is filling in for the suspended Phoenix Crossland, and 23-year-old Sandon Smith has stepped up to lead the side after Dylan Brown was sidelined with an injury. The club has sold $40,000 worth of merchandise on the way to the final, which says as much about the mood around town as anything else.

Founded in 1988, the Knights have won two premierships, in 1997 and 2001, and play their home games at McDonald Jones Stadium, which holds around 30,000 to 33,000 people with about 23,000 seats. The ground was officially opened by Queen Elizabeth II on 10 April 1970, long before the Knights ever wore the red and blue. With Justin Holbrook at the helm and Ponga captaining the side, the stage is set for a big night.