1. Why is the club taking another game away?
The decision to take a home game away in 2016 was made with much consideration and diligence. These decisions are continued to be made with the best long-term interests of the Club.
It’s an opportunity for Storm to push into a new market and grow our brand. We have a strong connection to Queensland as a Club, with four current Origin stars, a host of Queensland born players, partnerships with two feeder teams and now our Storm Academy and NYC team based on the Sunshine Coast. This is a great opportunity for the Club and the type of partnership with Queensland Tourism we expect to be successful in a similar way to the relationship between AFL club Hawthorn and Tasmania – just with not as many games.
2. This is the second consecutive year a game has been taken away, will this happen every season?
This current arrangement with Suncorp Stadium expires at the end of 2016 but has an option to extend through to 2018. Knowing a game was going to be relocated this season is why we reflected this to members in October when our 2016 membership program was launched.
3. The Club seems to have had a strong focus on Queensland recently. Does this mean we are permanently relocating away from Melbourne in the future?
Melbourne Storm will remain in Melbourne. We have over 150,000 fans in Queensland and south east Queensland is a key market for us with the partnership with Sunshine Coast Falcons and Easts Tigers our two feeder teams as well as our Storm Academy and NYC team now based in the area.
4. What about home ground advantage and missing out on hosting Premiers Cowboys in a Melbourne blockbuster?
The discussions surrounding the Suncorp Stadium Double Header have been in the works for over 12 months, before the Cowboys won the 2015 NRL Premiership. Up until the Preliminary Final this season at AAMI Park, the Cowboys had been the lowest drawing opposition crowd in Melbourne. Historically, the Club hold a strong record at Suncorp Stadium, winning 10 out of 13 matches at the venue with a number of our Queensland representatives knowing the ground very well.
5. Why didn’t we go back to Napier after the success of this year?
We thoroughly enjoyed the experience and hospitality of the local council and community, however taking a game to Suncorp Stadium proved to be a stronger strategic option for the Club, particularly considering our ties to Queensland with our feeder teams and Storm Academy.
6. Why the double header and getting other clubs involved?
The double header presents an opportunity for the Club to be involved in a great spectacle of rugby league. It will be a marquee NRL event featuring last year’s two Grand Finalists and showcasing the competition’s finest talent in two high quality matches on the same night.
7. I am a 2016 QLD Plus member. Do I get access to this game?
All QLD Plus members will receive access to a single ticket to this game. This is in addition to a ticket to two away matches played in Queensland. QLD Plus members will also receive free entry to Storm’s trial match against the West Tigers on 13 February 2016 at Sunshine Coast Stadium. More details regarding ticketing and access for all included games will be provided to members closer to the match date.
8. I am a 2016 Storm member and want to attend this game.
Existing Melbourne Storm members (other than QLD Plus members) will have access to a ticket pre-sale and a 15% discount on the tickets to this game. The member pre-sale through Ticketek will commence at 1pm (Melbourne time) on Tuesday 8 December and run until 1pm (Melbourne time) on Thursday 10 December.
9. Where can I buy tickets for the Queensland Double Header?
The Club is the process of confirming these details with the parties involved and will announce this in early 2016.
