Featured image credit: Penrith Stadium
Redevelopment work at Penrith Stadium is set to begin in early 2025 after New South Wales’ Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure granted planning consent for the A$300m (£153m/€184m/$194m) project.
Penrith Stadium Redevelopment has reached an agreement with the state government, paving the way for a contract to be awarded and work to start. A contractor is set to be awarded “soon” for a builder to start work early next year, with a view to the project being completed in 2026.
Penrith Stadium serves as the home of National Rugby League club Penrith Panthers. The stadium’s capacity is set to increase from 22,500 to 25,000, and in July it emerged that three companies – A W Edwards Pty Ltd, Hansen Yuncken and John Holland – had been shortlisted to deliver the rebuild.
The NSW government first unveiled draft plans for a redeveloped Penrith Stadium in January. The stadium is also known as BlueBet Stadium as part of a sponsorship deal with the betting company.
It is hoped the redevelopment project will transform the stadium into a “superior entertainment venue”. On top of the expanded 25,000 capacity, the stadium will have an additional 5,000 capacity when hosting up to 10 concerts a year.
The stadium design, led by Populous, will feature upgraded player amenities, including female-friendly facilities to support the growth of women’s sport. There will also be a 300% increase in wheelchair-accessible seating, an 85% increase in accessible toilets, and a significant increase in the number of women’s toilets.
The training field to the west of the stadium will also be remodelled to create new open spaces with multi-purpose courts and improved landscaping. More than 500 jobs will be created during construction, with a further 650 jobs to be supported once operational.
Populous is the project architect and is also leading the master planning, interior design and wayfinding.
Paul Scully, Minister for Planning and Public Spaces, said: “This is a much-needed upgrade to a stadium surrounded by a thriving and passionate community, and it will be amazing to see the seats filled as fans come roaring in to enjoy the gameday experience.
“The local community and fans have been integral in shaping the new stadium, and we are delivering what they want, including retaining the hills at either end of the stadium, and modernising amenities and seating. The stadium will be purpose-built to host women’s and men’s NRL games, and will also cater for rugby union, soccer, live music and other entertainment events.”
During the rebuild, the Panthers are set to play at CommBank Stadium, home of rival NRL team the Parramatta Eels.
Once completed, the new-look stadium will be operated by Venues NSW, which already runs several venues across the state, including Accor Stadium, the Sydney Cricket Ground, Allianz Stadium, McDonald Jones Stadium, WIN Stadium and CommBank Stadium.
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