South Sydney’s bid to play closer to home has stalled again, with NSW citing a $14.5-million cost linked to the club’s Accor Stadium contract as the key reason the Rabbitohs cannot return to Moore Park.
The issue unfolded across 2025 as South Sydney sought approval to move home games from Accor Stadium at Sydney Olympic Park back to Allianz Stadium at Moore Park, closer to Redfern. The request was formally rejected in June, with further details provided in December outlining why the move could not proceed for the 2026 season and beyond.
Why the Move Matters to Redfern
South Sydney has long been based in Redfern, before shifting its home games to Olympic Park about two decades ago. While the club now trains at Heffron Park in Maroubra, many supporters say playing home games so far from the inner south has weakened the connection between the team and its traditional supporter base.
Supporters argue that Accor Stadium, located more than 30 kilometres from Redfern, makes attending matches more difficult and has affected the match-day atmosphere. These concerns have been central to the club’s case to return to Moore Park, which it would share with the Sydney Roosters.
An online petition supporting the move attracted over 17,000 signatures. Supporters cited Redfern and Maroubra as key bases, arguing that a return to Moore Park would better serve fans than continuing at Accor Stadium.
Photo Credit: Cox Architecture
The Barrier
The state’s position centres on South Sydney’s existing agreement to play home games at Accor Stadium. Premier Chris Minns has said that breaking that deal early would incur an estimated $14.5 million in costs for taxpayers.
That figure is linked to commercial arrangements already in place at Sydney Olympic Park, including corporate suites and food and beverage contracts sold on the expectation that the Rabbitohs would remain a long-term tenant.
The cost would fall on taxpayers due to existing vendor and commercial agreements. The contract must be honoured.
Club Not Backing Down
Despite the rejection, South Sydney has made it clear that the issue is not closed. Club chief executive Blake Solly said the Rabbitohs would review the reasoning and continue discussions about possible options.
The club has claimed promised upgrades linked to the Accor Stadium deal have not been met, which it says has contributed to its desire to move home games away from Homebush.
For now, however, South Sydney remains contracted to play its home games at Accor Stadium while the club considers its next steps.
A Broader Challenge
Mr Minns has also pointed to limited funding available for stadium and suburban ground upgrades across Sydney. While Leichhardt Oval is set to receive improvements in coming years, he said there is not enough money to commit to major upgrades at multiple venues.
There are calls for funding at several grounds, including those used by the Sharks, Dragons and at Campbelltown, but large-scale spending is not currently possible.
Published 5-Jan-2025
