It won’t be like last year’s sold-out Grand Final, but 9,600 fans will be able to watch the Raiders in the first round of the 2020 finals series. Photo: Jennifer Andrew.
Around 9,600 Canberrans will be allowed into GIO Stadium to watch the Raiders take on the Sharks in the first round of the NRL finals this weekend.
Chief Health Officer Dr Kerryn Coleman gave the green light for the expanded crowd after last week’s successful pilot program at the Raiders-Warriors and Brumbies-Reds games, where crowd levels were expanded to 6,000.
The new capacity encompasses about half of the stadium’s available seating capacity, which takes into account parts of the stadium not accessible to fans because of COVID-19 restrictions.
“I am very pleased to be able to increase the capacity for this game, which has been made possible by excellent adherence to the COVID-Safe measures by fans and event staff at recent games at the stadium,” Dr Coleman said.
There will be an increased security presence at the game to ensure people are following restrictions and maintain physical distancing, seating compliance and avoiding overcrowding at chokepoints.
The Raiders will play the Sharks for the second consecutive week in an elimination final after narrowing missing out on fourth place on the NRL ladder.
The Green Machine dismantled the Sharks over the weekend, defeating Cronulla 38 to 28. The Raiders convincingly won their last three games heading into the finals.
The Raiders will host the Sharks this Saturday, 3 October. Kickoff is at 5:40 pm.
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