RUGBY LEAGUE PARK LOCKED IN FOR GRAND FINAL DAY FAREWELL

Rugby League Park in Addington has been locked in as the venue for the Canterbury Rugby League men’s and women’s premiership grand finals, to be played on Sunday, August 26 from 1pm.

The confirmation came after negotiations between CRL and the Christchurch City Council and Christchurch Stadium Trust.

The double-header shapes as a fitting farewell to the spiritual home of rugby league in the region ahead of Canterbury Rugby League’s permanent move to its new base at Nga Puna Wai in 2019.

Canterbury Rugby League first leased the venue, then known as Addington Showgrounds, in 1951. It became known as Rugby League Park in 1997 when CRL took a 40-year lease.

Addington Showgrounds/Rugby League Park hosted every CRL premiership grand final from 1967 to 2010, and again in 2015-16 after playing three deciders at Denton Oval in the wake of the Christchurch earthquakes.

The ground was also the scene of some of the greatest days in Canterbury’s representative rugby league history, including a historic win over the Great Britain Lions in 1990 and the famous 36-12 triumph over Auckland in the 1993 national championship final.

Adverse weather throughout the 2017 winter necessitated a shift to Linfield Park for last year’s grand final, but Canterbury Rugby League is proud and excited to stage one last grand final day at Rugby League Park.

The women’s premiership grand final will kick off at 1pm, followed by the men’s premiership decider at 3pm. Admission is $10 for adults and free for children (16 and under).

Canterbury Rugby League welcomes supporters of all clubs to Rugby League Park on August 26 for the unique opportunity to celebrate 67 years of history.