Sports · Other Sports · 1 hr ago
Penrith Stadium redevelopment draws criticism over design and cost
Penrith Stadium in New South Wales is being redeveloped with $309 million in government funding.
The home ground of the Penrith Panthers closed after the 2024 season and is due to reopen for the 2027 season.
The project is expected to provide a 25,000-seat venue with upgraded stands, amenities and player facilities.
Images showing the new seating have drawn criticism from some fans, who say the design looks plain and question the cost and roof coverage.
The old stadium had paw-print patterns in its seats, linking the ground visibly to the Panthers.
The new stands take design cues from the Blue Mountains and the Cumberland Plain, while the popular grass hills at both ends are to remain.
The backlash comes as fans compare the redevelopment with other modern rugby league grounds, including Parramatta’s CommBank Stadium.
The redevelopment is progressing towards its planned 2027 reopening.
Penrith Stadium’s $309 million redevelopment has drawn criticism from fans over its seating design, roof coverage and cost.
Images of the new seating show a design inspired by the surrounding landscape, replacing the stadium’s distinctive paw-print pattern.
The NSW Government-funded project is intended to provide a 25,000-capacity venue for the 2027 season.
The redevelopment will include upgraded grandstands, amenities and player facilities, while the popular grass hills at both ends will remain.
Some fans have compared the project unfavourably with CommBank Stadium in Parramatta, which the article says was built for a similar amount.
- Who
- Fans have criticised the redevelopment of Penrith Stadium, the home ground of the Penrith Panthers.
- What
- The $309 million redevelopment has drawn criticism over its seating design, roof coverage and cost.
- When
- The project is progressing towards a reopening for the 2027 season.
- Where
- Penrith Stadium, in Penrith, New South Wales, Australia.
- Why
- Fans have questioned whether the design and improvements justify the cost.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
How did this cost $300million?
They’ve made the second worst stadium in the country the exact same for $309million?
Wally Lewis’s hairline provides more coverage than that roof
What an absolute fail. Imagine people walking up and down 35-40 rows to go to the toilets or kiosk?
Penrith Park became the Panthers’ home in their first top-flight season.
The stadium closed for redevelopment.
An update reported that seating installation had begun and revealed the grandstand seating design.
The redeveloped venue is due to reopen.
- Redevelopment cost
- $309 million
- Planned capacity
- 25,000
- Expected reopening
- 2027 season
- Previous home ground
- Penrith Park was the Panthers’ home from 1967 until its closure after 2024.
- Seating design
- The eastern grandstand reflects the Blue Mountains; the western stand draws on the Cumberland Plain.
Sources
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