The ARL Commission has decided to relocate the NSW and ACT-based teams to South-East Queensland for one month to minimise risk of the season being impacted by Sydney's COVID-19 outbreak.
The eight Sydney-based teams have joined the Dragons, Knights, Raiders, Storm and Central Coast-based Warriors in shifting to dedicated hubs.
While the other teams will be in Queensland for at least a month, Melbourne were also relocated when their city went into its latest lockdown which ended on Wednesday.
All Queensland-based clubs will continue to be based and play home games out of their current home cities.
Clubs will return to Sydney as soon as the Commission believes risk to the competition in NSW has subsided. It is possible the relocations could be longer than one month.
Tickets are on sale for all eight games for round 20 - reserve yours now
Important transport information
- Due to Major Track Works affecting the CBD, Buses will replace trains on all lines
- Check Translink for information on getting to the game, click here
- Make sure you allow extra time to get to the venue
- Normal event shuttle buses as well as regular bus routes will be in place
What is the draw for Round 20?
Roosters v Eels, Thursday 7.50pm at BB Print Stadium, Mackay
Match: Roosters v Eels
Round 20 -
home Team
Roosters
5th Position
away Team
Eels
4th Position
Venue: BB Print Stadium, Mackay
The Roosters have won four of their past five games against the Eels.
The Eels have not defeated the Roosters twice in the same season since 2007.
Round 20 - Munster, Wighton and Hiku among the ins
Wests Tigers v Warriors, Friday 6pm at Suncorp Stadium
Wests Tigers have been outscored 68-66 in their past two games.
The Warriors have won three of their past four games against Wests Tigers.
Every try from Round 19
Broncos v Cowboys, Friday 8.05pm at Suncorp Stadium
Match: Broncos v Cowboys
Round 20 -
home Team
Broncos
15th Position
away Team
Cowboys
14th Position
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
The Broncos have won seven of their past nine games against the Cowboys at Suncorp Stadium.
The Cowboys have conceded 214 points in their past six games.
Get Caught Up: Round 19 must-see moments
Dragons v Rabbitohs, Saturday 3pm at Browne Park, Rockhampton
Match: Dragons v Rabbitohs
Round 20 -
home Team
Dragons
10th Position
away Team
Rabbitohs
3rd Position
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
The Dragons have lost four of their past five games in Queensland.
The Rabbitohs have won their past five games against the Dragons.
Raiders bond turning fortunes around
Knights v Raiders, Saturday 5.30pm at Suncorp Stadium
Match: Knights v Raiders
Round 20 -
home Team
Knights
11th Position
away Team
Raiders
9th Position
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
The Knights have the chance to record three successive wins over the Raiders for the first time since 2001-02.
The Raiders have conceded only 44 points in their past three games.
Flexibility key for Bellamy staying on with Storm
Storm v Panthers, Saturday 7.35pm at Suncorp Stadium
Match: Storm v Panthers
Round 20 -
home Team
Storm
1st Position
away Team
Panthers
2nd Position
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
The Storm have won their past 11 games at Suncorp Stadium.
The Panthers have won three of their past five games against the Storm.
Try July funds pass the quarter-million mark in Round 19
Bulldogs v Titans, Sunday 2pm at Cbus Super Stadium
Match: Bulldogs v Titans
Round 20 -
home Team
Bulldogs
16th Position
away Team
Titans
7th Position
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
The Bulldogs have conceded 106 points in three games at Cbus Super Stadium this season.
The Titans have won three of their past four games against the Bulldogs.
Sharks v Sea Eagles, Sunday 4.05pm at Moreton Daily Stadium, Redcliffe
Match: Sharks v Sea Eagles
Round 20 -
home Team
Sharks
8th Position
away Team
Sea Eagles
6th Position
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
The Sharks have won six of their past eight games.
The Sea Eagles have won 11 of their past 13 games against the Sharks.
Head to NRL Pick'Em and get pickin’ to win a share of $100,000 cash every week!
Which clubs have moved?
The eight Sydney sides - Manly, Souths, the Roosters, Wests Tigers, Cronulla, Parramatta, Penrith and Canterbury - plus St George Illawarra from their Wollongong base, along with Melbourne, Canberra, Newcastle and the Warriors, who have been on the Central Coast since last year.
They will be housed at three hubs in the Sunshine Coast, Brisbane and the Gold Coast.
Every club will be permitted a maximum of 41 players and staff while in Queensland.
Will the draw change?
The order of games over the four weeks from rounds 18-21 will not change, nor will the dates and times of when matches are played.
What will change is the venues for some matches. Games that were to be hosted by Brisbane, North Queensland or Gold Coast will remain as is.
As changes are announced, the NRL draw page will show the updated information.
Where will the relocated matches be played?
The NSW-based teams will play their home games at Cbus Super Stadium Suncorp Stadium or Sunshine Coast Stadium.
Will fans be allowed into the venues?
At this stage, crowds are permitted at Queensland.
How many people will each of the relocated clubs send to Queensland?
Several clubs have already prepared players and staff to be ready for a move, with the NRL requiring Apollo bubble lists of 30 players and 11 staff members to be submitted to head office.
What about the families of players?
The NRL has agreed to pay for families of players to stay at the same hotels as players. They have been granted access and have begun arriving in South-East Queensland.
Is there an impact on the NRLW?
Pre-season training for each of the six NRLW teams in the expanded competition had also been due to start last week, but Project Apollo has now pushed that date back with contingencies for the competition to be worked out.
As more information comes to hand, be sure to visit NRL.com for all the information.
