Moments after the last ACT Brumby leaves the field, grounds staff will wash away the rugby lines and start transforming Canberra Stadium into an NRL fortress.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
The Bruce venue will go from hosting the Super Rugby AU final to the Canberra Raiders' clash with the New Zealand Warriors this weekend - all within less than a day.
Only 17 hours will separate the matches, not including Super Rugby AU presentations and pre-game warm ups.
Signage, sponsorship, and field dimensions will need to be changed, with club and stadium staff working around the clock to become the masters of flip.
Even the beer has to be restocked, with Super Rugby AU and the NRL using different beverage providers.
Canberra Stadium operations manager Matt Elkins says staff will work into the early hours of Sunday morning, before returning to complete the transformation for the Raiders' 2pm kick-off.
MORE CANBERRA SPORT
"It is challenging and something we've been doing for years. The operations team not only do it unbelievably well but also take a lot of pride in doing it for the Canberra community," Elkins said.
"We'll have the stadium dressed and ready to go for the Brumbies, then turn around and present it as a home and fortress for the Raiders."
Not to mention the deep cleaning that needs to be done across the venue amid a global pandemic.
Every handrail and door handle will be disinfected when gates shut on Saturday night. Changing rooms will also be scrubbed clean and then locked until the Green Machine arrives.
A dozen Raiders staff and volunteers will be on site from 8 o'clock, ready to redress the tunnel and locker room in lime green.
Canberra's cross-code teams copied an NFL life hack - having double-branded signage in the tunnel like the New York Giants and Jets.
But they'll only have two hours to complete their handiwork, because the field needs to be NRL ready four hours before kick-off.
The Raiders will welcome 6000 fans for the first time this season on Sunday, with ticket sales opening in three stages across the week. They'll be available to the general public from Wednesday.
"We're looking forward to having everyone come out this weekend," Elkins said.
"We're asking everyone when they do come to understand the rules are a little bit different. No bags and physical distancing is a really important part of our responsibility but also a shared community responsibility to make a great event."
NRL ROUND 19
Sunday: Canberra Raiders v New Zealand Warriors at Canberra Stadium, 2pm.
Lucie Bertoldo
Lucie Bertoldo is a sports reporter for the Canberra Times.
Lucie Bertoldo is a sports reporter for the Canberra Times.
