The last time Sydney netball fans could cheer a home team in a league grand final was in 2008, when the NSW Swifts defeated the Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic in the ANZ Championship. The Super Netball league, which began in 2017, has never held a grand final in Sydney, even though the Swifts appeared in three of those deciders. Next year, Sydney Sirens player Amy Sligar, who watched that 2008 final as a six-year-old, could play a grand final at home.
"My first reaction is that it makes me want to make the grand final even more to have a home grand final," Sligar said. "You almost couldn't write a better script to have a new Sydney team [the Sirens] and then Sydney hosting the grand final, Sydney hosting the World Cup this year."
NSW Premier Chris Minns said netball deserved more investment. "For too long, we haven't invested enough in netball and we're working to change that," he said. The state government expects the grand final to draw 8000 spectators to the 18,000-capacity arena, adding an estimated $4 million to the economy. The World Cup in August targets 200,000 attendees as Australia's Diamonds defend their 2023 title. The government has also established a $1.5 million legacy program for players, coaches and officials.
Netball Australia chief executive Mark Falvo described 2027 as a huge year for Sydney netball fans. Minister for Sport Steve Kamper said the events would make the city the centre of the netball world next year.