Fans can celebrate Easter early this weekend with the NRL securing a special transport deal to blockbuster matches at ANZ Stadium for Rounds 4 and 5.
The deal, in partnership with Transport for NSW and transport operators, applies to club members and fans who pre-purchase tickets. It will provide frequent and direct public transport services to Sydney Olympic Park from all parts of Sydney – with public transport included in the price of the ticket.
The arrangement will apply for three matches over the next two rounds at ANZ Stadium; Friday night's clash between Wests Tigers and the Bulldogs, the 2014 Grand Final rematch between Canterbury Bankstown and South Sydney on Good Friday, and Parramatta versus Wests Tigers on Easter Monday.
It means fans will be able to catch trains, buses and ferries and light rail to get to the Easter weekend games at ANZ Stadium.
NRL Head of Marketing Lewis Pullen said the special deal comes on top of the recent announcement that train travel will be included with pre-purchased tickets to all regular season games scheduled at ANZ Stadium during the 2015 NRL Telstra Premiership.
Mr Pullen said this was another reason to go to Rugby League matches over Easter.
"The Easter break is a perfect time to enjoy the best that Rugby League has to offer and I encourage those who are heading out to the Sydney Royal Easter Show to also get to ANZ Stadium for a complete day out," he said.
"These additional transport arrangements will ensure that fans will be able to get to and from the precinct easily during the busy Easter Show period.
"I'd like to thank the NSW Government for continuing to work with us to ensure the best interests of our fans are met."
ANZ Stadium Managing Director Daryl Kerry said Sydney Olympic Park is the place to be this Easter and encouraged Members and fans to make use of the additional direct trains and Major Event Buses.
"There will be big crowds right across the Easter weekend, with the Sydney Royal Easter Show and NRL blockbusters. The best advice is to give yourself plenty of time so that you can relax with family and friends and make the most of a special day," Mr Kerry said.
With the Sydney Royal Easter Show and the NRL Round 4 and 5 games running at the same time, fans are strongly encouraged to take advantage of the extra public transport options included in their NRL match ticket. As parking will be limited, fans are advised to leave their car at home unless they have pre-booked parking.
The additional transport deal for Rounds 4 and 5 will see:
• Frequent and direct train services to Sydney Olympic Park from the City and West
• Access to the entire Sydney Trains and NSW Trainlink Intercity network
• Travel on the Sydney Olympic Park Major Event Buses, all regular bus routes, Sydney Ferries and light rail.
Tickets to Round 5 fixtures over Easter at ANZ Stadium offer great value, starting from $50 for a family of four to the Canterbury Bulldogs vs. South Sydney Rabbitohs clash and $40 for the Parramatta Eels vs. Wests Tigers match, also for a family of four.
Other NRL Clubs also have integrated transport included for their members and pre-purchased ticket holders across the regular season:
Cronulla Sharks — For all home games for all ticketholders, free shuttles are available from local train stations (Sutherland, Miranda, Caringbah, Woolooware and Cronulla)
Gold Coast Titans — All tickets issued to games include free public transport on all Queensland Rail, Surfside Bus lines and dedicated event services.
Brisbane Broncos — Transport is included for all patrons with tickets to fixtures at Suncorp Stadium. This includes Trains and Buses across Brisbane City Council Network.
This article first appeared on NRL.com and is used by permission.