The Roosters are Sydney's most-supported club, according to Roy Morgan Research, attracting more than 478,000 attendees with about 24,000 members. If members were able to buy up to four tickets each, the Roosters could fill Accor Stadium without leaving any tickets for Knights fans, who have not seen their team reach the grand final in 25 years.
Michelle, a long-time Roosters fan and member, said her partner was "devastated" when he tried to buy grand final tickets on Monday. Her children, Kai, 9, and Lucy, 7, have attended every home game this year. "I've never seen him as crushed," Michelle said. "We're trying to tell our kids we'll just have a barbecue at home and watch the game, but they're not having it."
Michelle described her children searching for tickets online without understanding the market. "They've been online looking but they obviously don't understand. You know, $1000 for a ticket is wild." In a handwritten statement, Lucy described how her father had bought her a Roosters membership when she was born, as he had done for her older brother.
The ticket shortage affects both clubs' supporters, with many members on both sides unable to secure seats for the season's biggest match. The NRL has not commented on the allocation process.