The Newcastle Knights' stunning victory against the Panthers has City of Newcastle scrambling to put together a live viewing site for what is sure to be an epic grand final.
Newcastle lord mayor Gavin Morris confirmed the council is "working on it," with revelry in the wake of the win expected to have the city on a high all week.
"It was absolutely extroardinary," Cr Morris told the Newcastle Herald.
"This is incredible, it's been 25 years of frustration for Knights fans, we've had so much bad luck land our way. We had to capture lightning in a bottle eventually, didn't we? This team is capable of doing that.
"For me, Newcastle is the greatest city in the universe, and right now, Newcastle feels like it's the centre of the universe, and deservedly so."
Cr Morris said the council has been in talks with the University of Newcastle, which has offered help and support to put on a live site for fans.
"We are working on it, we're shuffling backwards and forwards to try to get a live site up and running," Cr Morris said.
City Hall's clocktower will light up in red and blue from Tuesday, with another organisation having booked it until then.
The lord mayor is hopeful he will get to live up to his promise to give the keys to the city to players and coaching staff and host a civic reception at City Hall if they bring home the grand final win on Sunday.
"That would be the greatest honour for me as lord mayor," Cr Morris said.
"This is a grand final, and we're going up against the Roosters which are a formidable opponent ... but you know, that unpredictable football is what makes the Newcastle Knights so dangerous to their opponents."
Cr Morris said Knights fans are "the greatest fans in the NRL".
"They've been there though thick and thin, when they were wooden spooners, just as many fans were there for them to try and hold them up," Cr Morris said.
"For every single fan to then be rewarded with this in the following season, this is an extraordinary moment for Newcastle."
On Monday morning, fans were clamouring to get their hands on more Knights gear, with a high volume of orders seeing the club shop closed until midday. Grand final T-shirts will be available online on Tuesday.
A City of Newcastle spokesperson said late on Monday they were still exploring possibilities for a live site.
"There is a huge amount of pride being felt right across our city for the Newcastle Knights on the back of their tremendous season and unbelievable effort in the match on Sunday," they said.
"We are currently exploring possibilities with key local partners for a live site to be set up in Newcastle, which would allow our community to come together in a family-friendly setting to cheer on the Knights in the NRL grand final on Sunday.
"We will also be acknowledging the significance of the moment by lighting a number of civic buildings red and blue from Monday night including the Civic Theatre, City Hall and its clock tower and some of the Newcastle Art Gallery's windows.
"Additional details will be announced as plans are confirmed."
Maitland City Council has announced it will host a free NRL grand final live site at Maitland Regional Sportsground on Sunday.
Fans will have the chance to watch the decider together on a 10-metre big screen, with gates opening from 3.30pm for a screening of the 1997 NRL grand final where the Knights beat the Sea Eagles and family-friendly activities before the game kicks off at 7.30pm.
Maitland mayor Philip Penfold said there was a "real buzz" around Maitland and he was looking forward to seeing the community come together to support the Knights.
"We're also bringing a bit of Knights history to the big screen. For anyone who remembers the Knights' 1997 NRL grand final win, it'll be a great trip down memory lane before we see whether the boys can add another chapter to the club's history," Cr Penfold said.
"It's especially exciting to see local talent with strong Maitland connections on rugby league's biggest stage, with Thomas Cant, Lachlan Crouch, Cody Hopwood, Fletcher Sharpe and Pasami Saulo all part of the Knights' 2026 squad."
Cr Penfold urged the community to grab their jerseys, scarves, fold-out chairs and rugs for the event.
"Whether you've followed the Knights since 1988 or you're cheering them on for the first time, come and be part of the grand final atmosphere. It's the next best thing to being at Accor Stadium," Cr Penfold said.
"And as Matty Johns would say, it's better than Lego."
Entry to the live site is free, and food will be available for purchase. Fans are encouraged to bring their own fold-out chair and picnic rug. Alcohol for responsible personal consumption is permitted at the venue; however, glass bottles are prohibited.
