Tigers Bet on Campbelltown to Strengthen Pathways

Campbelltown Stadium.

Next season, Wests Tigers will play their highest number of home games at Campbelltown in 25 years, with club officials confident it will aid in developing the NRL's top pathways system.

In 2027, the Tigers are set to hold at least six matches at Campbelltown Stadium, the most at this venue since the joint venture began in 2002.

Due to renovations at Leichhardt Oval, CommBank Stadium will host four matches, while the Tigers will also be designated as the home team during the Magic Round in Brisbane.

The date for the club's final home game remains unconfirmed.

In 2028, Campbelltown will be closed for redevelopment, but from 2029, it will host a minimum of seven games each year, with Leichhardt hosting four.

The Tigers had the option to play most of their games at Parramatta's home ground next season, which would potentially bring an additional $400,000 per game when full.

However, they believe that establishing Campbelltown as their long-term main home ground will yield benefits on and off the field.

The Macarthur region boasts nearly as many registered junior players as Penrith, with the Panthers' success partially attributed to this advantage.

"If we get this right, we will have the best rugby league pathway in the world. I have no doubt about that," said Tigers chief executive Shaun Mielekamp to AAP.

"I was out at Penrith as they were really building it. It is about genuine engagement. The advantage we have is the region and the area is the fastest growing in NSW."

"When we have the own local talent playing in the stadium winning football games, that is better than any marquee player you can sign from any other club or region."

"This is a key part of the mission because everybody sees that journey coming through from under-sixes all the way through."

The Tigers' focus on Campbelltown includes increasing their presence with clubs and schools, leading to over 1,000 player hours spent there this year.

Transforming Campbelltown Stadium into a true home-ground advantage will also be essential, as the team has won only three of their last 20 games at the venue, playing as few as three home games per year there from 2018 to 2023.

Having more matches will allow the NRL side to train there more frequently, while the change rooms at the stadium are now on par with those at Concord.

"It's important that we're not a yo-yo club," Mielekamp stated.

"It's about it becoming consistent, so it's part of the natural habit for players and feels like home.

"They know where to park, they know where to walk, they know the fans in the stands, they see the same faces, they've got the same community.

"The same energy, they start to know the patches of grass, the camber of the field, the way the wind blows, all those things keep coming through consistency."

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