Penrith may have to wait until round four of the 2027 NRL season, at the earliest, to play at Helloworld Stadium.
The Panthers could move one of their opening home games to Bathurst, as the $309 million NSW Government-funded rebuild of their former ground may not be ready for round one.
The team has played at CommBank Stadium in Parramatta since its last game at the old Penrith venue in 2024.
According to The Daily Telegraph, club officials had hoped to hold a test event before the season, but that now appears very unlikely.
Construction is progressing well, with no significant delays so far, but almost all the schedule's weather allowance has been used.
The stadium might still be completed in time, though there is no guarantee and little room for further setbacks.
In an October statement, the club said it had been assured the stadium remained on track to open for the 2027 season and planned to play its first home game there that year.