Newcastle Knights fans snap up tickets for first preliminary final in decades
Newcastle Knights supporters rushed to buy an estimated 25,000 tickets after their team won and reached the NRL preliminary final.
Newcastle Knights supporters rushed to buy an estimated 25,000 tickets after the team's 12-10 win over the Warriors on Sunday at Eden Park. The victory sent the NRL club to Saturday's preliminary final against Penrith at Accor Stadium.
It's only the sixth time in almost four decades the Knights have reached this stage. Local travel company Sid Fogg's Australia already helps bus Knights players and families to and from games.
They were inundated with requests from fan spectators almost immediately. The company estimated at least a dozen coaches would run to Sydney for the September 27 match.
'Last night when the game finished we sold out four or five coaches straight away,' manager Michael Habgood said. Rival travel operator Diggers Shuttle Service reported over 200 bookings in a single day.
The Knights finished last season with the wooden spoon, making this finals run a stunning turnaround for the Hunter region.
- 25,000 estimated
- Tickets sold
- 12-10
- Victory margin
- September 27
- Match date
- 6th time in almost 4 decades
- Appearances in stage
Why it mattersReaching a preliminary final is huge for Newcastle after years of struggle; the city has not been this close to a grand final since 2001.
AustraliaThe Knights' preliminary final run has electrified Newcastle and regional NSW, driving unprecedented demand for travel and accommodation for the Sydney match.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 3 d ago
