The NRL and its clubs are seeking to stage double-headers in Sydney from next season as part of the solution to the game's crowds crisis.
The average NRL crowd has fallen to 14,827 this season, the first time the average figure has dropped below 15,000 since 2004. The introduction of family unfriendly fixtures, such as the Thursday night and 6pm Friday games, has had an effect, although a range of other factors have also contributed.
It is hoped an injection of at least $1.6 billion into stadium infrastructure will help reverse the trend, although the NRL and clubs acknowledge they need to be more proactive to lure television viewers through the turnstiles.
One initiative being discussed is the staging of double-headers in Sydney. The concept has been used sparingly in the harbour city, most notably at the opening of the Olympic stadium and when Allianz Stadium hosted back-to-back finals matches in 2015. It has proven a success when staged annually in Brisbane, when the Broncos are one of the sides participating in a double-header at Suncorp Stadium.
Double trouble: Cronulla's John Morris celebrates victory in a controversial finals clash in 2013, the last time there was a double-header in Sydney.Credit: Brendan Esposito
The NRL has floated the idea to Sydney club bosses, who believe it warrants further investigation.
"We're in discussions with clubs around the prospect of a double-header in Sydney as part of the planning for the 2018 schedule," an NRL spokesperson said.
"Those discussions are still in the preliminary stages, but there are certainly benefits in the concept."
ANZ Stadium has been mooted as the venue most likely to host the double-headers. It has five major NRL tenants – South Sydney, Canterbury, Wests Tigers, St George Illawarra and Parramatta – who have been meeting to explore initiatives to boost crowd numbers. The conversation will expand to include the other Sydney clubs as all attempt to boost their ticketed membership numbers and gate takings.
The Eels, who will call ANZ home while their new Western Sydney Stadium is being built, are open to the concept.
"On a selective basis, double-headers do have some merit," Parramatta chief executive Bernie Gurr said.
"ANZ is the logical place and we are going through a feasibility study. There are logistical issues around corporates and members, but there isn't anything that's insurmountable.
"The key is that sometimes less is more, you don't want to overplay it. The one in Brisbane – and I'm not aware of the financials – seems to me to work very well from a visual and promotional perspective.
"You wouldn't want to overdo it, but there is some merit in it.
"We're looking at it at the moment; we've had some preliminary discussions around it.
"Whether it works or not, we'll know after we go through the feasibility study."
Gurr said the Saturday evening matches, broadcast at 5.30pm and 7.30pm, appeared the obvious timeslots.
"You could plan it around an event in Sydney at the time, like the Royal Easter Show, to maximise crowd attendance," Gurr said.
"The two home clubs would get two games for the price of one. It's good to see the NRL are engaging in discussions to create ways to raise crowds and offer a good entertainment option for the fans.
"If there are some legs to it, we should think about doing it."
Other than the 2013 finals clashes between Cronulla and North Queensland and Manly and the Roosters, there hasn't been a double-header in Sydney since 2008. The Tigers – who split their home matches between ANZ, Leichhardt and Campbelltown – are open to being involved.
"It's all about doing different things to create different results," Tigers boss Justin Pascoe said. "If it's commercially sensible and fits in from a Sydney perspective, we'd happily consider it.
"The game has to be an event. You want them getting there as early as possible, you want them to be engaged in activations and activities outside of just football.
"People are giving up a lot of time – we're all time poor and consume the game differently. In order to remain competitive and give value to people turning up to games, you need to add value."
NSW premier Gladys Berejiklian has indicated the government may be prepared to spend more than the $1.6 billion originally set aside for stadium upgrade to ensure the Sydney's sporting facilities are brought up to world standard.
"You can only attract the best events with the best facilities," NSW Minister for Sport Stuart Ayres said.
"From the bush to the city, NSW deserves the best sport stadiums in Australia.
"We are already building Western Sydney Stadium at Parramatta and when we are finished our stadium network will be the envy of the world.
"We will do our homework when it comes to sequencing construction to get the best outcome for sports and fans."