The Parramatta Eels take on the Wests Tigers at the first ever sporting event held at the brand new, state-of-the-art Bankwest Stadium on Easter Monday (22 April) in Round Six of the NRL Telstra Premiership.
In the history-making first NRL game at the Eels new home, the Blue & Gold will be looking to claim bragging rights on the field over their rivals in their annual Easter Monday clash!
With casual tickets selling out earlier this month, we are expecting 30,000 Members and fans to be at the game to welcome the Blue & Gold back home to Parradise.
Match Details
What: Eels v Wests Tigers, Round Six
When: Monday 22 April 2019-04-14
Where: Bankwest Stadium (O’Connell St, Parramatta)
When: 12:30pm Ticket Window Opens
12:45pm – Gates Open at Bankwest Stadium
1:30pm – Wentworthville Magpies v Western Suburbs, Canterbury Cup
4:00pm – Parramatta Eels v Wests Tigers
GETTING TO THE GAME
Event-goers will be able to catch the train, bus or other public transport services to and from the stadium for free using their event ticket or Club Memberships.
The best way to get to and from Bankwest Stadium is by public transport with only a very limited amount of parking available. Trains to Parramatta station run every 10 to 15 minutes and additional bus services will run throughout the day.
Bankwest Stadium is a short 10-minute walk from the Parramatta Transport Interchange in the Parramatta CBD with regular train and bus services running to and from the hub plus additional services will run on event days.
An accessible shuttle bus service for patrons with a disability or mobility impairments will run between Parramatta Interchange and the Stadium on event days. The shuttle will pick up and drop off customers on Argyle Street near the Interchange and on O’Connell Street outside of the Parramatta Leagues Club just north of the Stadium.
Roads approaching Parramatta are expected to be busy approaching the area so if you are planning on driving, allow additional travel time. See the Bankwest Stadium transport and walking map for more info on how to get to and from the stadium.
With huge crowds expected, public transport is encouraged however there are parking options available.
Very limited parking spots are available at the Parramatta Leagues Club and we recommend arriving as early as possible to secure a spot. Pricing for the car park is dependant on if you are a Leagues Club Member (not a Football Club Member). Leagues Club Members can spend $8 throughout the Leagues Club for your parking to be validated. Non-Leagues Club Members can spend $25 through the Leagues Club for your parking to be validated.
For information on Parking at the League’s Club, please visit: https://www.parraleagues.com.au/bankwest-stadium-event-day-information/
For information on Parking around Parramatta, please visit: https://transportnsw.info/events/2019/04/nrl-eels-v-wests-tigers
PRE GAME ACTIVITY AND ENTERTAINMENT
There will be plenty of pre-game activity and a buzz of excitement around the grounds of Bankwest Stadium ahead of the first official clash at the stadium! Check out some of the activity below.
Precinct
Parramatta Eels Commecial Partners ALAND will be roaming the precinct ahead of kick off handing out chocolates for Easter.
Visit EK Recruitment located near Gate B. They’ll have an inflatable kicking goal to test your skills and also be handing out footballs, so get in early!
Parramatta Eels Community Partners Featherdale Wildlife Park will be located in between Gate A and B. Head down early and you may be lucky to meet some baby animals and score yourself a Kids Go Free Voucher.
Careflight will have their community engagement trailer in the precinct promoting the great work they done along with a collection of donations and sales of merchandise. They’ll also have giveaways for the kids.
Life Education will have their Mobile Learning Centre on site with activities in the van, merchandise sales and promotional hand outs.
The Parramatta Light Rail (Transport for NSW) will have a mobile stand promoting the work they do and changes with the light rail. Located near Gate B, learn more about what changes are coming to Parramatta with the new Light Rail and make sure you pick up their new Restaurant Guide.
Our Blue & Gold Membership team will also be available for enquires and assistance with a presence at Gate B. Become a member and be Parra Proud in 2019. They will be also handing out Blue & Gold junior passports so young Blue & Gold Members should pop into the marquee ahead of entering Bankwest Stadium.
For queries or assistance with tickets, please visit our Ticketing window located at Gate B. The Eels Ticket Box office located at Gate B will be open between 12:30pm - 4:30pm and is available for any Eels Ticket Collections or Game Day enquiries.
Keep your eyes peeled for rides in the precinct along with a DJ, stilt walkers interacting with the crowd from 12:45pm, dartball, roving Parramatta Eels Cheerleaders and mascots from 12:45pm and much, much more!
Located right in front of Gate B, kids can expel some energy on the Turbo Tubs and Footy Challenge Inflatable.
Located in between Gate A and B, visit Bubble Girl for a fun kids activation creating giant bubbles
Inside Bankwest Stadium
Before entering the ground, Blue & Gold Members and fans should get their hands on an exclusive Bankwest Stadium Opening Flag giveaway, with 30k in total to be handed out (Flags will be split between all operating gates)! Note that there will be strictly one flag per person.
Plus keep your eyes peeled for some Bankwest giveaways for those early arrivals.
Membership will have a presence inside the stadium located near Gate D.
Head to the Eels Merchandise outlets internal of Gate A and B and in the precinct near Gate B to kit up for the season ahead. Show your 2019 Eels Membership card and save 10%.
Keep an eye for our Fan Expereince Team will be will greeting Members and fans at the gates, assisting at the internal Membership outlets, ushering Members to their seats and assisting Members and fans to their seats.
The 50-50 Charity Raffle will also have volunteers roaming the precinct raising money for Legacy. Be part of the 50-50 Charity Raffle, sponsored by Parramatta Leagues Club. Tickets can be purchased from the volunteers dressed in green 50-50 uniforms. To donate and purchase your ticket online, visit https://5050charityraffle.com.au/eels
Keep an eye out for a photobooth located adjacent to Aisle 216 where you can morph into your favourite Eels player.
We will have two roving photographer walking around the concourse. Take a photo to remember our first home game at Bankwest Stadium. The image will be emailed to you or head to Aisle 214 to get a print out.
Get the kids into the Blue and Gold spirit. Face Painters will be located at Aisles 105 and 218.
Adjacent to Aisle 213, participate in the Parramatta Eels Reaction Challenge to test your reaction skills and see how you measure up to our Eels players.
There will also be face painters for Blue & Gold Members and fans and show their support.
On Field
The Canterbury Cup will kick things off from 1:30pm with the Wentworthville Magpies v Western Suburbs taking the field before the NRL clash at 4pm.
Ahead of kick off, we will have a giant flag unveiling to welcome the Blue & Gold Army home, carried by Eels Members on the field.
An official ceremony will begin with a Welcome to Country, National Anthem, band entertainment, Eels Hall of Famers on the field, the raising of the Blue & Gold Army flag and a representation from each Parramatta Eels Junior League Club ahead of kick off.
Plus keep your eyes on the big screen and LEDs for our brand new pre-game show to play before kick off!
During half-time, the Parramatta Eels Cheerleaders will perform for the first time at the new stadium. Participate in dance cam at half time for your chance to win a signed 2019 Parramatta Eels Jersey.
Plus, we will be having a Members Kick competition for a Blue & Gold Member having the chance to win a 2020 Membership. Keep your eyes on the big screen pre-game to find out how you can win your chance to kick for your 2020 Membership.
After the game, kids will be allowed on field approximately 10-15 minutes after the full time siren so keep an eye out for the instructions and listen carefully to our ground announcers who will explain the process.
