Souths’ long-running feud with the Roosters has taken a fresh twist after the NSW government gave the green light for the Rabbitohs to make a gradual return to Allianz Stadium. The Bunnies have been lobbying for years to move away from Accor Stadium in Homebush, so they can play NRL home games at the state-of-the-art, $828 million venue at Moore Park, which the Roosters call home.
But their previous appeals to the NSW state government have fallen on deaf ears and the Roosters have insisted they’re the only NRL club that can call Allianz Stadium home. The contentious subject came to a head earlier this month when Roosters officials refused to acknowledge Souths during their Round 2 clash that saw Alex Johnston break the NRL’s all-time try-scoring record.
Instead of displaying the South Sydney name and club logo, the scoreboards inside the stadium simply referred to them as ‘visiting team’. The stunt sparked plenty of controversy and the Roosters ultimately apologised after admitting it was their call to make the change. Souths were adamant it was a deliberate jab over the Rabbitohs’ attempts to play home games at Allianz.
The ongoing saga took a fresh turn on Tuesday after the NSW government approved a deal that sees the Rabbitohs make a gradual return to the tax-payer funded Allianz Stadium. The new agreement will see the Bunnies play four home games at the Moore Park venue in 2027, and then five matches there a season from 2028 – 2030. The old Sydney Football Stadium at Moore Park used to be the Rabbitohs’ home ground before they moved to Accor Stadium in 2006.
Souths to play more games at Allianz Stadium in new deal
The four-year deal with Venues NSW was finally agreed upon after lengthy negotiations between Souths, the NRL and NSW Sports Minister, Steve Kamper. Souths will still play seven games at their current Accor Stadium home ground for the next four seasons, before their existing deal there ends in 2030. It paves the way for Souths to make a full-time return to Allianz from 2031.
“This is a landmark moment for our club,” Souths chairman Nick Pappas said. “This new deal ensures more matches at our spiritual home at Allianz Stadium while retaining our historical connection to Accor Stadium, where we have seen so much success.
“Both venues are an important part of our club’s history and future and this new deal is a win for our members and fans who will get to see more home matches in Sydney. We would like to thank the NSW Government and Venues NSW for working with us and we’re excited to continue to create history at these venues.”
Souths were able to reduce their home games from 10 to seven at Accor Stadium this season, with three other matches at neutral venues. The Bunnies have been keen to cut short their stay at Sydney Olympic Park after upgrades to the venue were scrapped during the pandemic. Allianz Stadium is also much closer to the Rabbitohs’ training headquarters at Heffron Park, and their traditional fan base in Redfern.
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