Tigers take four games to CommBank, less at Leichhardt
Wests Tigers will play four home games a year at CommBank Stadium and have more regular-season matches at Campbelltown than Leichhardt for the next two years.
The Tigers unveiled their long-awaited home-ground strategy for 2025 and 2026 on Monday, with a reduction of matches at both their traditional suburban homes.
Under the policy, the Tigers will drop the amount of regular-season games at Leichhardt Oval from five to three. One pre-season fixture will also be locked in there.
Four regular-season matches will be played at Campbelltown Stadium, with that number also down on the five scheduled there this season.
Campbelltown Stadium will get four Wests Tigers games in both of the seasons. (Brett Costello/AAP PHOTOS)
Four home games will be played at Parramatta's CommBank Stadium for the next three years, while the Tigers will continue to commit to taking a game to Magic Round until 2027.
The changes come at a critical juncture for the club.
The Tigers' previous management had declared in 2022 they needed to revert to suburban grounds, with a multi-venue approach not feasible for success.
That prompted the 2024 season to be the first in decades where the club committed to playing five games at both Leichhardt and Campbelltown.
New chief executive Shane Richardson has since taken over, and raised concerns over the status of Leichhardt Oval this year.
A $40 million upgrade of the old ground is now locked in, while Campbelltown is also due for works in coming years.
As such, the Tigers have opted to take a shorter-term approach on home-ground allocation before making their next move once capacities and facilities are locked in.
The move to CommBank Stadium will also allow for an increase in corporate dollars, compared with the suburban venues.
CommBack Stadium gets four Wests Tigers home games a year in 2025 and 2026. (Mark Evans/AAP PHOTOS)
"A joint venture will always face difficulties around venue selection," Richardson said.
"We are excited and proud to continue building our community in the south-west and Macarthur region, and playing games in Campbelltown is a big part of that.
"Equally, we look forward to the improvements at Leichhardt Oval, so that we can continue to call it our home as well."
"CommBank Stadium is an amazing place to watch footy which will give our members first-class facilities to enjoy the Wests Tigers' match-day experience.
"It will also provide significant commercial opportunities that are needed for Wests Tigers to grow and become a top-four club."
The decision to go from five games to four at Campbelltown each year comes after the Tigers conceded they needed to do better to connect with the area.
An office has been opened in the region this year, while several juniors from the Macarthur have debuted in the NRL.
But personnel have also made clear part of the key to keeping the area's significant junior pool of players is spending increased time and resources in the region, as well as regular matches.