Penrith Stadium, also known by its commercial name Pepper Stadium, is a rugby league and association football (soccer) stadium located in Penrith, New South Wales, Australia.
The 22,500 seat venue is the home ground for the Penrith Panthers who play in the National Rugby League (NRL). The all-time attendance record for the venue is 22,582 in a match between Penrith v Parramatta on 17 July 2010.
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History
Penrith Stadium has been used by the Penrith Panthers since their entry into the National Rugby League competition in 1967. Initially, the Stadium only had one main grandstand, the Western grandstand. In the 1980s, the stadium saw the construction of the Eastern Grandstand. In 2006, a joint Federal and State Government funding project saw $30 million worth of investments come to the Stadium. In the subsequent developments, the Western Grandstand was extended and revamped. Following the completion of the project, the Stadium now holds 8,000 seats in the Grandstand.
Two of Samoa's 2008 Rugby League World Cup matches were played at CUA Stadium: their Group C game against Tonga and their 9th place play-off match against France.
At the end of 2010, the Federal and State Governments provided funding to redevelop the scoreboard end of the stadium. Initial plans were to build a double-sided grandstand between Penrith Stadium and Howell Oval. However, it was found that a main sewer line ran between the stadium and Howell Oval. Relocation of the line would have cost nearly double what the initial funding would cover. Subsequently, a stand is currently being constructed at Howell Oval, and the facilities at the Scoreboard end of the stadium were redeveloped.
Naming rights
Penrith Stadium was sponsored by Credit Union Australia, who previously held the naming rights, from early 2006 until 31 October 2010. The stadium's name was sometimes shortened to CUA Stadium.
On 22 January 2011, it was announced that sport betting agency Centrebet had acquired the rights to the sponsorship name of the stadium until 2016. Under their sponsorship rights the stadium was also known as the "Centrebet Stadium Penrith".
On 21 June 2011, it was announced that, for the Women in League round of the NRL, Centrebet had agreed to forego the naming rights for one week, during which time the stadium would officially be known as "McGrath Foundation Stadium".
On 28 January 2014, it was announced that sport betting agency Sportingbet acquired the rights to the sponsorship name of the stadium, changing the stadium's name to Sportingbet Stadium Penrith.
On 12 February 2015, Pepper Group had replaced Sportingbet as the naming rights sponsor, renaming the stadium to Pepper Stadium.
Tenants
In the National Rugby League competition, the Penrith Panthers club have played at this stadium, as their home ground, ever since making their first grade appearance in 1967.
In the National Soccer League, the Penrith City SC club played here in 1984-1985.
The stadium hosted a Western Sydney Wanderers pre-season friendly against Adelaide United on 22 September 2013, and was host to a competitive A-League Premiership match against the Wellington Phoenix on 8 February 2015.
Rugby League Test matches
List of rugby league Test and World Cup matches played at Penrith Stadium.
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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