IT’S a huge week of events in Western Sydney with CommBank Stadium gearing up to host two sporting blockbusters – the Ampol Women’s State of Origin 1 on Thursday night and the highly anticipated Isuzu UTE Men’s A-League Grand Final on Saturday night.
The City of Parramatta will come alive as large crowds turn out for both feature events, with restaurants and bars in Eat Street and throughout Parramatta welcoming fans pre-and-post games.
CommBank Stadium CEO Daryl Kerry has urged fans to take advantage of the fact return travel on Sydney Trains, Metro and Light Rail services is included in tickets to both big events. Fans only need to show their event ticket to Transport staff when boarding services.
“There is real excitement around these two events at CommBank Stadium and great family entertainment is planned at both the Women’s State of Origin game on Thursday and the A-League Men’s Grand Final on Saturday,” Mr Kerry said.
“The best advice is to take advantage of the train travel being included in tickets, arrive early, and soak up the big-game atmosphere.”
A crowd of more than 10,000 is expected on Thursday night as the NSW Sky Blues strive to defend their State of Origin crown won last year from the marauding Maroons who have won 18 of the past 24 series.
Tickets start from just $20 for adults with Family Tickets from $40, with kids under-15 free with a paying adult. Gates open at 5:15pm with a big night of entertainment planned ahead of the 7:45pm kick-off.
The Sky Blues team is stacked with star performers, including the electrifying Emma Tonegato at fullback, centres Isabelle Kelly and Jessica Sergis and power props Kezie Apps and Millie Boyle.
Kelly won the Nellie Doherty Medal as Player of the Series last year.
On Saturday, all eyes will be on the Isuzu UTE Men’s A-League Grand Final when Melbourne City, the best performed team of season 2022/23, line up against the surging Central Coast Mariners.
It will be the first Grand Final since 2012/13 for the Mariners who have defied the odds to win their way through the decider and they will bring scores of fans and a wave of Yellow and Navy to CommBank Stadium for their shot at title glory.
But the team with the smallest budget in the A-League will be up against arguably the A-League’s richest club Melbourne City, who are now in to their fourth Grand Final in as many years, triumphing in 2020/21 but suffering heart breaking losses to Sydney FC in 2019/20 and again to Western United last season.
The two sides faced off twice in the regular season, with City winning the first encounter 1-0 in sweltering conditions before a gripping 1-1 draw in Round 24 which was one of the games of the season, littered with chances down either end and played at a relentless tempo.
A near full house is anticipated at CommBank Stadium, with the stands expected to feature plenty of Yellow and Navy Blue as Mariners fans have snapped up a majority of tickets.
A convoy of buses will barrel down the M1 on Saturday from Gosford, bringing thousands of Mariners fans to the Grand Final.
However, there will still be a solid number of fans singing for the Sky Blue, Red and White of Melbourne City, along with a number of neutral football fans keen to witness the Grand Final after a fantastic season of football.
Gates open at 6:15pm on Saturday with a big night of off-field entertainment highlighted by a performance by popular electric band Mashd N Kutcher. There’s also street food, a pre-match show and fireworks, along with a trophy presentation to the winning team at fulltime.
Tickets to the Ampol Women’s State of Origin 1: https://bit.ly/WSOOGame1CBS
Tickets to the Isuzu UTE A-League Men’s Grand Final: https://bit.ly/ALMGFTickets
Want to watch these games in style with clients, family and friends? CommBank Stadium Premium Experience: https://bit.ly/CBSHospitality
Story by Staff Writers | Pictures by Ayush Kumar/CommBank Stadium.
