Every Sydney home owner understands that renovations rarely come cheaply and the Penrith Panthers are no exception after officially announcing a $309 million upgrade to their BlueBet Stadium on Wednesday.
The stadium’s capacity will increase from 22,500 to 25,000, which in crude mathematics represents a cost of $123,600 for each of the 2500 new seats.
NSW Deputy Premier and Minister for Western Sydney Prue Car was confident the new seats would be filled when the upgraded stadium opened in 2026.
“This design will mean that this stadium will accommodate 25,000 fans and, the way the Panthers play, we certainly do not struggle to get those bums on seats at this stadium,” she said on Wednesday.
Slightly more bums on seats excepted, what else can Panthers fans expect from their spruced-up stadium?
In 2019, CommBank Stadium opened in Parramatta for a total cost of $360 million, operated by Venues NSW, which will also run the Panthers’ upgraded home once completed.
Panthers fans can look forward to an upgraded stadium from 2026Credit: Getty
A previous proposal for a new stadium at the neighbouring Penrith Paceway site was scrapped by the Minns government after concerns that it could cost over $900 million to build a new home for the Panthers.
More than 3000 fans and community members were consulted on the redesigned plans for the taxpayer funded stadium and a strong piece of feedback was to retain the hills at the northern and southern ends of the ground.
The iconic hills will be kept alongside a new western grandstand and refurbished eastern grandstand, including improved views from premium seating.
There will be more food and beverage outlets, scoreboards, sound systems, upgraded lighting and improved player facilities, including four new changing rooms, that will enhance the club’s ability to enter a team in NRLW as now there are no separate facilities for female athletes.
Panthers chief executive Brian Fletcher is hopeful that the upgraded stadium will help the club enter a team into the 2027 NRLW season, alongside improving the fan experience in the NRL.
“It’s good for the club and good for all our fans because we sell out every game with around 20,000 people and now we can take it up to 25,000,” Fletcher said.
“We’re hoping in 2027 to have a ladies side. According to the NRL, that’s when we’ll be allowed to enter a ladies side and we will have the facilities to cater for that in the new western stand.”
Nathan Cleary on home turf.Credit: Getty
Asked whether the upgrade would also include improved access for disabled fans, Fletcher said that this was a key part of the planning for the upgraded facility.
“For sure, that was one thing that really needed attending to [at the stadium] and it’s something that Infrastructure NSW has put a lot of thought into,” Fletcher said.
The stadium’s upgrade will also increase the ability to host other sporting codes, live music and entertainment.
Panthers coach Ivan Cleary said the stadium was a special part of the club and he was looking forward to the upgrade.
“There’s something mystical and magical about Panthers stadium,” Cleary said. “Today, I guess it’s a milestone, a big milestone for the growth of this hallowed turf.”
The Panthers will finish the current season in the existing stadium and next year will plan to play their home games in a variety of venues, including nine games at Commbank Stadium, one in Mudgee one in Bathurst and one in Las Vegas, Fletcher said.
The reigning premiers will hope to move into their upgraded home ahead of the 2026 season.
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