There has been a lot of debate recently about the NRL Grand Final location and start time. Some people are suggesting that the game should go back to being held during the day with a 3pm kick-off, as it was for almost 100 years. Since 2013, the grand final has been starting at 7:30pm, a change from the 5pm start time from 2008-2012.
The issue has sparked discussions among fans and journalists, with some arguing for an afternoon grand final and others defending the current night time slot. Phil Rothfield from The Daily Telegraph conducted a poll on social media and found that only 1 in 10 fans prefer a night time grand final. He pointed out the difference in ratings between the recent NRL grand final and the AFL grand final, which was held during the day.
On the other hand, some, like Brent Read and Gorden Tallis, believe that there is nothing wrong with a night grand final. They argue that the atmosphere and quality of the game are not affected by the time of day it is held. However, Rothfield used the example of the recent Las Vegas double header, which had record-breaking viewership, to support his argument for a night grand final.
The debate continues among fans and experts, with opinions divided on whether the NRL Grand Final should be held during the day or at night. The decision will ultimately come down to what the majority of fans prefer and what will attract the most viewership. What do you think? Should the NRL Grand Final go back to being an afternoon game, or should it stay as a night time event?
