The Parramatta Eels confirm that 2025 will mark the conclusion of our 12-year partnership with the Northern Territory Government. This collaboration has been integral to bringing rugby league to the heart of the Northern Territory, creating memorable experiences for our players, fans, and the people of the Territory.
Parramatta Eels CEO Jim Sarantinos expressed the Club’s gratitude for the Territory’s unwavering support.
“On behalf of everyone at the Parramatta Eels, I want to thank the Northern Territory Government and the people of the Territory for their incredible warmth and hospitality over the years. The NT truly has been our home away from home, and we will forever appreciate the connection we’ve built with the local communities.
“We’re proud to have brought programs to thousands of children across Darwin, Katherine, Northeast Arnhem Land, Alice Springs, and various remote areas throughout the NT helping grow the game and supporting the region’s youth through community and school visits, coaching clinics, and skill development initiatives.
“It’s been rewarding to see rugby league’s reach expand throughout these communities, and we’re grateful for every opportunity to make an impact,” Sarantinos added.
“While this partnership has been a defining chapter for our Club, it’s time to explore new avenues to serve our Members and fans starting in 2026. However, the Eels are excited to visit the NT once again for the 2025 season and to close out this partnership in a fitting way, celebrating the special bond we share with the Territory.
“To our friends, fans, and partners in the NT, thank you. Let’s make 2025 a season to remember, and may our ties with the Territory remain strong well into the future,” Sarantinos concluded.
Northern Territory Major Events Company Acting CEO Trevor Cox echoed these sentiments, emphasising the benefits the partnership has brought to the Territory, including boosting tourism and delivering world-class sporting events.
“The Parramatta Eels have brought Territorians more than a decade of NRL action. They’ve also worked with the community to build up the sport and fanbase right across the NT. I’d like to thank the Club and former and current players for making the NT their second home.
“Matches like these allow locals to see elite-level rugby league action in their own backyard, and for Darwin and its surrounds to be beamed onto TV screens around the country.
“Territorians love sport, especially live, opportunities for a new Territory NRL team with the right fit, in terms of values, is being explored beyond 2025,” added Cox.
Looking forward, the Club will be exploring options for its 12th home game for 2026 and beyond and will keep Members and fans informed on developments.
Parramatta Eels and NT Government partnership milestones:
Annual fan events and signing sessions
Annual player visits to the Don Dale Youth Detention Centre
Developed the Eels Academy Training Camp for young male and female NT rugby league players to help develop their rugby league skills.
Launched The Eels Cup - a 6-week Rugby League competition for Under 16s Secondary Schools in the NT
NRL players taking part in Darwin Primary School Touch Competition and coaching clinics
Facilitated Primary Schools Gala Days at Palmerston Raiders
Introduced League Tag Carnival event in Alice Springs
Facilitated Wheelchair Come and Try events
Collaboration with the Clontarf Academy
Introduced Parra Eels Play clinic with appx 50 students and educators at Yirrkala Community bilingual School, a small Aboriginal community in Northeast Arnhem Land.
Delivered one of the largest annual sporting events in the Territory across the last 11 years, including a number of sold-out fixtures
Replies
Cowboys should be looking to take up this deal. It benefits the game, it's just too hard for a Sydney team to take up as it's a constant loss with that weather
Everyone here says we are disadvantaged in Darwin and we never do well there, as you say constant loss etc.
We have played 10 games in Darwin, won 6. 3 of those 6 wins against QLD teams. No matter the result this year we leave Darwin with a winning record.
I mean i understand it is a terrible place to play and Parra should end the deal, but it is nowhere near as bad as what people make it out to be.
Weren't most of those wins against QLD teams against a very woeful Broncos side who were challenging for spoons?
Titans in 2016. Cowboys in 2018. Broncos 2021.
So what if they are poor teams, Dolphins had 5-6 starters out and annihilated us. We beat Cowboys in 2018 when we got spoon.
Most of the wins were when we played later in the year. In April the dry season hasn't fully kicked in yet and the humidity is still pretty bad.
The only game I remember us winning up there was against Canberra. Felt like we copped a few hidings in the last 4-5 years.
All home games at Commbank. End of story. We have a stadium which is the envy of the NRL and have negotiated extremely favourable terms there. Why dilute that?
On top of that, if the NRL are wanting to expand the game they are better off staying in outback NSW. Like Penrith do with Bathurst. Go to Orange or something. We noticed last year particularly, Darwin natives preferred the QLD clubs. They rooted for Redcliffe last year when it was our home game.
We could start by actually taking a regional area under our wing and nurture the talent there for future pathways players ...or we could take a game to Wagga to honour Sterlo.
See Badger, I think each NRL club must have an area they attend too. Penrith Bathurst, then give Dragons Orange, Sharks Dubbo, Manly Taree and so on for example.
Then likes of Melbourne do an area in Victoria, Queensland teams do a QLD area.
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