Footy fans have savaged Penrith Stadium’s $309million redevelopment after images revealed the new seating replacing the famous paw-print design at the Panthers’ home ground.
The NSW Government-funded overhaul is due to deliver a 25,000-capacity venue for the 2027 season.
But a construction update shared by Austadiums has sparked a barrage of criticism, with fans questioning the price tag, roof coverage and whether the new-look ground has lost its character.
Others have compared the redevelopment unfavourably with modern rugby league venues in Parramatta and Townsville, built for similar amounts.
‘Seating installation has begun at the new Penrith Stadium, with the grandstands’ seating design revealed as the $309million redevelopment progresses towards a 2027 reopening,’ Austadiums posted.
The response was brutal.
Penrith Stadium’s $309million redevelopment has sparked a backlash after images revealed the new grandstand seating
The old stadium’s distinctive paw-print seating gave the Panthers’ home an unmistakable club identity
Penrith Park was the Panthers’ home from their first top-flight season in 1967 until its closure for redevelopment after 2024
‘Penrith Panthers’ new stadium is like a new McDonald’s. Same vibes,’ one commenter wrote.
‘Should be called a blandstand,’ another added.
The previous stadium’s western grandstand featured distinctive paw prints formed by contrasting seats, giving the ground an unmistakable connection to the Panthers even when the stands were empty.
The replacement seating takes its inspiration from the surrounding landscape instead.
The eastern grandstand reflects the Blue Mountains, while the western stand draws on the native grasslands of the Cumberland Plain.
The paw prints, packed hills and close connection between the team and its local supporters made it a recognisable suburban rugby league ground.
It was also the home of a club that rose from competition battlers to premiership winners in 1991 and 2003, before its extraordinary four-in-a-row from 2021 to 2024.
However, the latest images left some fans questioning whether the redevelopment offered enough improvement for its enormous cost.
The popular grass hills at both ends of the ground will remain following community consultation
‘They’ve made the second worst stadium in the country the exact same for $309million?’ one wrote.
‘When $300million gives you the exact same stadium.. just with new amenities,’ another posted.
‘It looks worse than the old one, less shade,’ a third claimed.
The roof attracted particularly sharp criticism.
‘Wally Lewis’s hairline provides more coverage than that roof,’ one fan joked.
‘First stadium in history where the back row is premium seating,’ another wrote.
One frustrated commenter dubbed the ground ‘Poncho Park’ and questioned how spectators would reach refreshments and amenities.
‘What an absolute fail. Imagine people walking up and down 35-40 rows to go to the toilets or kiosk?’
The Panthers won four consecutive NRL premierships from 2021 to 2024, cementing one of rugby league’s greatest dynasties
Others could not believe the final price tag.
‘I hope that’s 309m rupiah and not AUD,’ one posted.
‘That’s an absolute shocker, is that the best they can do?’ another asked.
One response questioned whether the stadium matched the needs of the region and the achievements of its team.
‘You have to be kidding me. A huge area with a population that is growing, a highly successful footy team that has won four premierships in the last six years and they build a stadium like this? How did this cost $300million?’
The Panthers’ temporary home at CommBank Stadium provided an obvious point of comparison.
‘Same cost as CommBank which is a beaut stadium. That’s inflation for you,’ one commenter wrote.
Opened in April 2019, the $300million Parramatta venue has 30,000 seats, a roof covering every seating area and steep grandstands designed to bring fans closer to the field.
The redevelopment will increase sporting capacity to 25,000 and deliver upgraded grandstands, amenities and player facilities
Its success has also earned industry recognition, including the Property Council of Australia’s award for Best Tourism and Leisure Development in 2021.
Townsville’s Queensland Country Bank Stadium offers another example of a major rugby league build delivered at a similar price.
The $293.5million venue opened in February 2020, giving the North Queensland Cowboys a new home close to the city centre.
Its approximately 25,000-seat layout features a distinctive horseshoe-shaped roof inspired by the tropical pandanus plant, shading about 75 per cent of the seating.
A broad concourse allows spectators to walk around the stadium without using stairs while maintaining views of the playing field. The project collected multiple construction and design awards.
The venue has hosted major sporting fixtures and concerts, with the Queensland Government reporting in 2025 that it had welcomed around 1.25million fans across 86 major events since opening.
The Penrith project also includes significant improvements beyond the seats visible in the latest update.
A new western grandstand and refurbished eastern stand will increase capacity, while steeper seating between the try lines is intended to improve views.
The northern and southern grass hills are being retained following consultation with more than 3,000 fans, families and community members.
Project information promises more than 450 toilets, additional food and beverage outlets, accessible seating and lift access to every level of the western grandstand.
Concourse areas will also provide views of the field, allowing spectators to remain connected to the game while accessing facilities.
The Panthers issued a statement on October 9 saying they had been assured the ground, now named Helloworld Stadium, remained on track to open for the 2027 season.
The club is planning its first home game there next year, although its statement did not confirm a Round 1 opening.
