Wests Tigers secure $110m funding to save Leichhardt Oval and Campbelltown Stadium
Wests Tigers will play at their suburban grounds, Leichhardt Oval and Campbelltown Stadium, for the next 15 years after securing a landmark funding deals.
Wests Tigers will play at suburban grounds in the inner-west and southwest of Sydney for the next 15 years.
In a landmark decision, the club has locked in home games at Leichhardt Oval and Campbelltown Stadium until 2041.
Leichhardt Oval has already been promised a $50 million upgrade with a further $60 million committed for Campbelltown Stadium.
It means Wests Tigers’ two suburban grounds will receive government funding worth a whopping $110m.
An official announcement is expected to be made on Monday.
The allocation of games at both venues will be determined before each season.
Government officials were discussing the deal at Leichhardt Oval on Sunday, where North Queensland came from behind to topple Wests Tigers 34-28 before a sellout 16,000 crowd.
The realisation that Leichhardt will remain a top-tier rugby league venue well into the future will delight Tigers fans and rugby league historians.
“I’m super happy for the players and fans, both here (at Leichhardt) and Campbelltown” said Wests Tigers coach Benji Marshall.
“It’s important for us to know where our future lies, especially for our fans.
“It’s a credit to ‘Richo’ (Wests Tigers CEO Shane Richardson) and his team for what they have done to get that funding.
“That’s not my job to worry about but from the players and coaching perspective, we’re happy about it.”
Wests Tigers played four games at Campbelltown this season, three at Leichhardt, one game at Parramatta’s CommBank Stadium, another at Accor Stadium and a match at Magic Round in Brisbane.
The Leichhardt matches are historically well received at a ground locals call the Eighth Wonder of the World.
An upgrade at Campbelltown Stadium is expected to beef-up crowds at the venue.
Sunday’s loss to North Queensland ended any hopes Wests Tigers harboured of playing finals footy in 2025.
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The Leichhardt funding is a joint venture between the Federal Government, State of Government and Inner West Council.
There are plans for a new grandstand at the northern end of Leichhardt Oval.
The State Government hasn’t committed any funding for Campbelltown Stadium.
Originally published as Wests Tigers secure $110m funding to save Leichhardt Oval and Campbelltown Stadium
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