After defeat at the hands of the Penrith Panthers in the 2022 grand final, the Parramatta Eels will be looking to launch another assault on the National Rugby League (NRL) premiership in 2023. Eels fans will expect their team to reach the finals, and the club’s squad is well-equipped to potentially go all the way. Incoming players for the 2023 season include former New Zealand Warriors duo Daejarn Asi and Jack Murchie, who have joined after agreeing deals at the end of 2022, and young second-row Matt Doorey, who will feature after joining from the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs. J’maine Hopgood’s switch from the Penrith Panthers, moreover, will give the side further options in the forward positions, and veteran Josh Hodgson will provide experience that could be vital if Parramatta is to collect its fifth premiership this term.
2023 Squad
Head Coach
Brad Arthur (AUS)
Backs
Jake Arthur (AUS)
Daejarn Asi (NZ)
Waqa Blake (FIJ)
Dylan Brown (NZ)
Haze Dunster (NZ)
Clinton Gutherson (AUS) “C”
Samuel Loizou (AUS)
Isaac Lumelume (FIJ)
Mitchell Moses (AUS)
Will Penisini (TON)
Sean Russell (AUS)
Bailey Simonsson (NZ)
Maika Sivo (FIJ)
Forwards
Nathan Brown (ITA)
Reagan Campbell-Gillard (AUS)
Bryce Cartwright (AUS)
Matt Doorey (AUS)
Wiremu Greig (NZ)
Josh Hodgson (ENG)
J’maine Hopgood (AUS)
Shaun Lane (AUS)
Makahesi Makatoa (CK)
Ryan Matterson (AUS)
Jirah Momoisea (NZ)
Jack Murchie (AUS)
Ofahiki Ogden (NZ)
Junior Paulo (SAM) “C”
Mitch Rein (AUS)
Ky Rodwell (AUS)
“C” = Captains
2023 Schedule
Like all NRL teams, the Parramatta Eels will play 24 regular season fixtures in 2023. Of those 24, 12 of them will be played at home, and 12 away from home. The Eels will play against 8 of their fellow 16 teams twice (once at home, once away), and will play against the other 8 teams once only. The Parramatta Eels’ first match of the season was on Thursday 2 March against Melbourne Storm, at the team’s regular home venue, the CommBank Stadium. The final regular season match the Parramatta Eels will play will be on Thursday 24 August, against the Penrith Panthers.
You can find the Parramatta Eels’ full 2023 schedule here.
2023 Rivals
In 2023, the Parramatta Eels will play against the Brisbane Broncos, Canberra Raiders, Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks, Dolphins, Gold Coast Titans, Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles, Melbourne Storm, Newcastle Knights, New Zealand Warriors, North Queensland Cowboys, Penrith Panthers, South Sydney Rabbitohs, St. George Illawarra Dragons, Sydney Roosters, and the Wests Tigers.
The club has multiple rivals, including the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles, Melbourne Storm, and the Penrith Panthers, but the team’s primary rivalry is that it shares with the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs. Belmore, where Canterbury-Bankstown has traditionally been based, is only 15 km away from Parramatta, and the west Sydney rivals have also met on multiple occasions in high-profile finals matches. The Eels and the Bulldogs are scheduled to meet twice during the 2023 regular season:
2023 NRL Finals
The Parramatta Eels suffered a grand final defeat in 2022, losing to rivals the Penrith Panthers, 28-12. The Panthers had also ended the club’s season in 2021, defeating the Eels 8-6 during the second week of the NRL finals. Historically, Parramatta has a respectable record in terms of reaching the NRL finals, having done so on 29 occasions since 1962; on 4 of those occasions, in 1981, 1982, 1983, and 1986, the team would go on to win the grand final, making them 4-time NRL premiers.
The 2023 NRL finals will take place across 3 weeks, starting in early September following the conclusion of the regular season, and concluding with the NRL grand final, which is expected to be played on Sunday 1 October. A total of 8 teams qualifies for the finals, which involves a knock-out bracket; depending on where they finished in the regular season table, teams can be knocked-out after 1 or 2 losses. By the end of finals week 3, only 2 sides are left, and it is these teams which contest the grand final.
2023 Tickets & Prices
The CommBank Stadium in Sydney, where the Parramatta Eels play most home matches, has a capacity of 30,000. Average Eels attendances were around 20,000 during the 2022 season. Ticket prices for Eels matches can vary game by game, but the most affordable adult ticket prices generally start at AUD $30, including fees. The most expensive adult tickets generally cost around AUD $115, including fees. The average cost of an adult ticket at a Parramatta Eels home match during the 2023 regular season is between $53-70, including fees.
Standard Tickets
Standard match tickets for Parramatta Eels matches at the CommBank Stadium are available in several categories:
- General Admission – unreserved seating behind the posts at the north end; typically the joint most affordable tickets at the CommBank Stadium
- Eels Supporter Bay (General Admission) – unreserved seating in the north-east corner, ideal for the loudest and most passionate Eels fans; typically the joint most affordable tickets at the CommBank Stadium
- Upper Tryline Reserved – upper tier reserved seating behind the posts at the south end of the ground
- Alcohol Free Bay – a family-friendly reserved seating section at the south-west corner of the stadium
- Away Supporters Bay – reserved seating in the south-east corner, where fans of the visiting side can cheer their team on
- Bronze – reserved seating behind the posts and in the corners of the stadium
- Silver – reserved seating close to the try lines
- Gold – reserved sideline seating close to the middle of the pitch
- Platinum – reserved sideline seating by the halfway line; typically among the most expensive non-hospitality tickets at the CommBank Stadium
Premium, Hospitality, & VIP Tickets
Match day hospitality packages at the CommBank Stadium include:
- The Jim Beam Field Club – premium match seating, proximity to the players, and a wide range of food and drink
- The Directors Club – premium match seating by the halfway line, 3-course sit-down meal, and corporate networking opportunities
- Cumberland Lounge – premium seating, cocktail menu and drinks, and use of the hospitality lounge itself
- Legends Lounge – premium seating, Eels players and legends meet-and-greets, cocktail menu and drinks
- Stadium Box – private Level 1 hospitality box for 6, 8, or 10 people
How to get Cheap Tickets
Ticket prices for Parramatta Eels home matches largely depend upon which team is visiting. Matches against rival teams, more famous teams, or stronger teams will command more expensive ticket prices than matches against smaller or weaker sides. More important fixtures, such as those played just before the finals, may also command higher ticket prices. Koobit compares the prices offered by both primary and secondary sellers, to help you find the perfect ticket at the most affordable price possible.
Where to Buy Tickets
Tickets for Parramatta Eels home matches can be purchased conveniently online. Ticket holders can then download and present their tickets digitally, or print them off. Buying tickets online allows fans to easy access ticket sales as soon as they open, as well as providing the chance to quickly compare ticket prices.
How to Get to a Game
Parramatta Eels home fixtures are mostly played at the CommBank Stadium. The stadium is well connected to multiple public transport links, including bus, rail, and ferry, and there are also conveniently located car parks in the vicinity of the venue. Visit the CommBank Stadium travel and parking page for more information. For event-specific travel information, including for away matches, click through to the event and view the specific travel and parking section.
To stay up to date with the latest schedule and ticketing information for this season and beyond, visit the Parramatta Eels page.
