Mark Speakman
Leader of the Opposition
NSW Liberals Leader
Eleni Petinos
Shadow Minister for Sport
The Minns Labor Government has once again been caught napping, allowing Victoria to swoop in and snatch the rights to host in-season NFL matches—an opportunity that should have been Sydney’s to claim.
This is a government with no vision, no strategy, and no idea.
Chris Minns, John Graham and Steve Kamper were handed a golden opportunity to bring one of the world’s most lucrative sports to Sydney. Instead, they sat on their hands while Victoria did the deal. Sydney didn’t lose this event—Labor lost it for us.
Sydney will now miss out on three in-season NFL matches from 2026, set to be played at the MCG. This comes despite Sydney’s superior stadium, local NFL talent like Jordan Mailata, and the clear economic benefits the event would have delivered to NSW.
Leader of the Opposition Mark Speakman said the Government couldn’t see the value in bringing tens of thousands of tourists, international media, and millions in economic activity to Sydney.
“This is a government that reacts instead of leads. A government that always turns up late and empty-handed. And a government that is fast becoming the worst advertisement for doing business in NSW,” Mr Speakman said.
Shadow Minister for Sport Eleni Petinos said the Minns Labor Government has completely dropped the ball on this one—while Victoria runs away with the win. NSW had every opportunity to secure these NFL games, but Labor let it slip through their fingers.
“NSW had the home-ground advantage, but Labor fumbled it away,” Ms Petinos said.
Victoria will now host one of the worlds’ biggest sporting codes while NSW is left to watch from the sidelines under a Labor government too weak to even get in the game.
