Newcastle has red and blue fever.
With up to 50,000 fans expected at Accor Stadium on Sunday, most of them Knights fans (if the ticket sales are any indication) leaving your car at home and taking the train or a bus (or car pooling with others) is advised.
Your game tickets include travel on all modes of public transport, and Sydney Trains will add two extra services from Newcastle Interchange before the game and two additional services home after full time.
The additional Sydney services will depart Newcastle Interchange at 12.01pm and 12.56pm, arriving at Strathfield at 2.38pm and 3.16pm.
Fans can change at Strathfield for direct trains to Sydney Olympic Park, which will run every 10 minutes before kick-off.
After the game, eight trains an hour will depart Sydney Olympic Park between 6pm and 8pm, connecting fans with Central and Strathfield for services back to the Hunter.
Sid Fogg's coaches will be taking fans to and from Accor Stadium in Sydney for the preliminary final on Sunday, with pick-ups at McDonald Jones Stadium, Smart Street in Charlestown, the Pacific Highway, Belmont (opposite The Reject Shop), and Swansea (outside Black Swan Motel). Book now or miss out.
Diggers Shuttle Service will also be out and about, with $60 return trips from Wallsend, Broadmeadow or Beresfield. Time is running out to book a ticket, though, so don't delay.
Check local social media groups or official supporter club pages for private bus seat availability to and from the stadium.
What to know about Accor Stadium
The Knights fan march
Damo the Flagman is encouraging supporters to join him near the Ibis Budget Hotel at Wallsend on Saturday at 8.30am to cheer on the Knights team bus before it heads south along the M1 to Sydney.
If you're heading to the game on Sunday, fellow Newcastle Knights supporters are meeting at The Brewery Bar + Kitchen, Novotel Olympic Park, from noon onwards. At 3pm they will march to Accor Stadium, and you're invited to join them. Bring your drums and Knights flags.
If you can't make it to the game, you might want to soak up the atmosphere at one of the following venues.
Cross Keys Hotel, Islington
"We are turning the pub completely red and blue," publican Corey Crooks said.
"We'll screen a replay of last week's epic win over the Warriors from 1pm, leading into the 3pm pre-game build-up, then you can catch all the action live and loud on all six screens.
"Our cocktail slushie special from last week, Joey Juice, will be back. Wear your red and blue to score $6 schooners of Grainfed 'Game Day' Lager all day."
Front bar tables will be kept free for walk-ins, all other areas of the hotel can be booked online.
On the other side of town, at his other pub The Grain Store, anyone wearing Knights colours can buy a Grainfed game day schooner for $6.
Newcastle Cruising Yacht Club
The club has set up a big screen on the water with one of the best views in town to watch the preliminary final.
The Happy Wombat, Newcastle West
Luke Tilse and the crew will be getting into the spirit, with all screens showing the game live and loud, free bar snacks, and a bar shout at half-time and full-time.
"If it's anything like the last game it's going to be epic," Tilse said.
"We're already pretty much booked out and pushing more seating and tables into every nook and cranny. It's gonna be big."
Young Street Hotel, Carrington
"We are opening our car park up again this weekend with the projector out there for extra capacity for the venue," publican Emily Box said.
"I don't know if you saw the video the Newcastle Knights posted last week, but the pub was absolutely packed.
"We will also have a vinyl DJ in the car park from 12.45pm until the start of the game and a can bar."
Tower Cinemas, Newcastle
You can watch the game live on the big screen at Tower Cinemas from 3.30pm. Tickets are $25 and include a soft drink or bottled water and a small popcorn. Book online at fivestarcinemas.com.au.
The Wests Group
There is plenty happening at Wests venues on Sunday. Buy any beverage from 2pm until kick-off at participating Wests, scan your Wests membership card, and you could win Knights merchandise. Grab a red and blue Knights burger or hot dog and take advantage of the drinks specials.
Surly's Newcastle
There are 20 screens at this Hunter Street venue. No doubt most of them will feature the preliminary final. Mountain Culture pints for schooner prices will be available from 3pm on Sunday plus Coors pints for $12 (with every pint purchased giving you a chance to win a Coors jersey). You can also order a kilogram of wings for $10.
Caves Coastal Bar and Bungalows, Caves Beach
Grab a seat and order a full rack of ribs and two VB schooners for $70, or, grab any two schooners, pints or a jug of VB to share and you'll get a game card for your chance to win a 2026 NRL grand final experience (two gold tickets, $500 spending money and a night's accommodation).
Cardiff RSL Club
Make a purchase at the bar between 3pm and 6pm for your chance to win Knights merchandise. Drinks special from 3pm to 6pm, too.
The Prince of Merewether
"Well be shouting a first beer (Tooheys) for those wearing a jersey into The Prince on Sunday, and well be taking bookings in the upstairs bar and main bar for prime viewing spots," co-owner Juliane Burford said.
"The kitchen will be open 12pm to 8pm for all-day dining."
Islington Barracks
Co-owner John Elsley said the pub would be "fully dressed up in red and blue".
The Beach Hotel, Merewether
"The vibes were high in the venue for the last game, not a spare seat in the house and the game live and loud on every screen - absolute scenes," said marketing manager Sally Muntz.
"With a lot of bookings already, patrons can expect the same this weekend. We will also have Sunday drink specials: $10 classic margaritas, $12 spritzes and $7 schooners of Young Henrys."
Modus Merewether
Half-price pints are on offer if the Knights are in front at half-time, there's a $25 burger and beer deal, and children eat free.
Too many venues to list
You can also expect a vibe at The Boat Shed Bar at Belmont 16s ("Newy beers on tap"), Kahibah Sports, Adamstown Bowling Club, The Exchange Hotel, The Gates Hotel, The Delany, George Darby Hotel, The Mark Hotel ($5 tinnies and free bar snacks), The Lass O'Gowrie, The Great Northern Hotel (Newcastle and Teralba), The Regal Inn, The Maryville Tavern, The Oriental Hotel, The Duke, Warners at the Bay, The General Roberts Hotel, The Bennett Hotel, The Hamilton Station Hotel, The Wicko, The Greenroof, Lowlands Bowling Club ... pretty much every pub and club in the Hunter Region will be turning it on for Sunday's game.
How we're celebrating
Merewether Fresh Bake and Euro Patisserie are making Knights-themed cupcakes, and Craig Cook - The Natural Butcher Kotara keeps selling out of blue sausages.
Many businesses are giving their shopfronts a red and blue revamp, and homes are being decorated.
Order from the SSAINT x NK clothing collection (saint.com.au/collections, code KNIGHTS30) and receive a 30 per cent discount and free express shipping.
Big Harry's Apparel is offering a 20 per cent discount on Joey Johns shirts.
Dave at Electric Pantera Tattoo Parlour on Hunter Street is offering a selection of Knights tattoos "up until we win the grand final".
Pelican Flat, Rutherford, Waratah and Floraville public school students are among many who will be wearing red and blue on Friday.
Last month, a signwriter, CK Signcoe, surprised his golf enthusiast father Chris McCarthy by "wrapping" his golf cart in Knights colours. He has been proudly driving it around the greens of Kurri Golf Club this week.
