The Panthers knew they’d have to move out – but not for this long

NRL powerhouse Penrith are facing the possibility of a second season playing away from home with the $309 million redevelopment of their stadium not due to be completed until later in 2026.

On the eve of their World Club Challenge trip to the United Kingdom, the Panthers are bracing for the prospect of using Parramatta’s CommBank Stadium as their home ground for a second year.

According to sources speaking on the condition of anonymity because they weren’t authorised to comment publicly about the matter, the Panthers have started planning to play away from their new stadium until midway through 2026.

While it was widely known they would use CommBank Stadium to host fixtures next year, the three-time defending premiers hoped they could be accommodated at their new venue for the start of the following season.

However, the Panthers have already been discussing contingencies for their home game schedule for 2026, including the possibility of playing several away matches in the first half of the season.

If the new Penrith Stadium is completed by the middle of the year, it would allow them to play several matches at home in the latter stages of the regular season.

But given the construction timeline is not definite, any delays in the building process could leave the Panthers without their home ground until the opening match of the 2027 season.

The Panthers and Infrastructure NSW were approached for comment.

Only last month, the NSW government pledged to fulfil an earlier promise for the stadium upgrade, but scrapped plans to build a new venue, or acquire the neighbouring Penrith Paceway to house the stadium.

The 25,000-seater will include a new western grandstand, while refurbishing the eastern side of the ground. The ground will have steeper grandstands, similar to CommBank Stadium. The hills at the northern and southern ends will be retained.

The new stadium will also have improved change-room facilities to accommodate female players, as the Panthers eye inclusion in the NRLW competition.

Meanwhile, premiership-winning hooker Mitch Kenny will be included in the Panthers’ travelling party and will play in the World Club Challenge against Wigan despite being handed a breach notice by the NRL for a social media post.

The durable No.9, who scored the first try in last year’s grand final triumph against the Broncos, was handed the sanction for a Boxing Day post.

In an Instagram story uploaded to his page, Kenny appeared in a photo with the caption: “[a] couple of Boxing Day lines have got me in trouble”.

The post was quickly deleted. Kenny later said on his account to “ignore trolls who grabbed my phone”.

While the NRL didn’t immediately announce what sanction Kenny has been offered under the terms of the new collective bargaining agreement, the 26-year-old has until Thursday to respond to the breach notice.

However, Kenny will get the green light to feature in the World Club Challenge, a huge boost for a Panthers side already missing Jarome Luai as he recovers from shoulder surgery.

Kangaroos, Queensland and Cowboys star Valentine Holmes was given a one-match ban and a $25,000 fine from the NRL after he was pictured in an Instagram post in September with a small white bag in his mouth.

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