NRL 2025: Warriors fans threaten to drown out Bulldogs at blockbuster home game
Startled and unprecedented.That is the surprise reaction from the Canterbury Bulldogs who face the unthinkable - being outnumbered at a 40,000 crowd home game by New Zealand Warriors fans.
Official data shows Warriors supporters have bought more tickets than the Bulldogs faithful for Saturday night’s top-four blockbuster at Accor Stadium.
Warriors fans appear to have strategically targeted this game for the past six weeks in a bid to surpass the amount of Canterbury supporters.
It is cheeky and bold and has prompted Bulldogs chief executive Aaron Warburton to issue a ‘call-to-arms’ for his fans to attend the big match and avoid being drowned out by noisy New Zealand supporters.
Canterbury haven’t been outstripped at home once this season.
Ticket sales indicate the Indigenous round crowd could reach 40,000 as Canterbury hunt a minor premiership and the Warriors seek to remain inside the top four.
While Warburton predicts his club’s massive fan base will engage in a late ticket surge, he did say: “I’m genuinely startled at the ticket take-up rate from Warriors fans.
“We’ve completely dominated attendance at every home game this year, but the Warriors supporters are proving why Mt Smart Stadium is consistently sold out - they’re organised, committed and they’re coming in numbers.
“Our ticket sales data before Tuesday’s team announcement showed Warriors fans were ahead of our numbers - something we haven’t seen all season. They’ve been snapping up tickets from day one.
“This is unprecedented for us at home this season, but I’m confident our large fan base will respond. When it comes to pure passion and loyalty, no fan base matches ours.”
Sydney’s robust New Zealand population appear zeroed in on the Bulldogs game with Warburton pointing why Warriors fans will be at Accor Stadium in large numbers.
“Warriors fans are renowned for their voice and cultural celebrations - they bring something special to every venue,” he said. “The Warriors don’t just have fans, they have a movement.“
“They carry the pride of an entire nation, while we represent the diversity of Greater Sydney. That’s what makes this clash so special. The Warriors bring something unique to our competition that we deeply respect.
“We’re looking at a crowd of up to 40,000 fans featuring two of the most passionate supporter bases in rugby league. The atmosphere will be electric, and that’s exactly what Indigenous round deserves.
“I’m confident there’ll be a strong late surge from our supporters. We’ve owned Accor Stadium all season, and I expect that blue and white dominance to continue on Saturday night.”
The Warriors are clinging to fourth spot on 30 competition points, just one clear of the rampant Penrith Panthers.
“Canterbury’s got such passionate fans that when they’re competitive, everyone benefits. They’re building something solid,” said Warriors CEO Cameron George.
“The beautiful thing about playing the Bulldogs is the respect between our supporter bases. Pacific Islanders in Western Sydney often support both teams - that’s the power of cultural connection.
“Indigenous round allows us to honour both Aboriginal culture and our own MÄori heritage. The parallels between First Nations peoples across the Tasman run deep - this match celebrates that connection.”
Canterbury is running equal second on 34 competition points, just one win behind Canberra, the competition leaders.
To facilitate the expected late surge, Canterbury has made $10 undercover seats available through the Ticketek website.
