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NRL 2024: UFC’s plans to put roof over 4 Pines Park, Vegas 2025 ins and outs, Eels interested Zac Lomax | Sport Confidential
In a shock crossover, Manly Sea Eagles have held talks with the UFC over a potential 4 Pines Park major upgrade, in the full SPORT CONFIDENTIAL.Michael Carayannis and Brent Read
7 min read
March 8, 2024 - 2:21PM
News Corp Australia Sports Newsroom
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Manly have held talks with the UFC over an alliance that could culminate in 4 Pines Park being turned into a modern 20,000 seat stadium with a roof.
Sea Eagles chair and majority owner Scott Penn met UFC powerbrokers while in Las Vegas for the club’s season opener against South Sydney, where they discussed a potential partnership that would result in the UFC using 4 Pines Park as their training base in Australia.
The ambitious plan would crucially mean an overhaul of 4 Pines Park, resulting in the venue being turned into a boutique stadium capable of holding up to 20,000 people.
Penn revealed they were also keen to incorporate a roof as part of the renovation. It is understood the cost of the project could be as much as $300 million, but it would give Sydney’s northern beaches a stadium worthy of hosting an NRL team as well as other major events.
Manly Chairman Scott Penn met with UFC powerbrokers in Las Vegas to discuss a potential partnership. Picture: Getty Images
“We would like to see it as a 20,000 seat stadium with a roof,” Penn said.
“We talked to the UFC guys and they said they would be interested in a partnership with us on it.”
Manly haven’t given up on securing government funding to help with the project and it is understood that chief executive Tony Mestrov will hold talks with government officials in coming weeks over the plan.
The Sea Eagles have discussed incorporating first responder accommodation around the ground as part of their project to help justify government investment.
Manly trained at the impressive UFC headquarters in Las Vegas as part of the preparation for their win over the Rabbitohs.
The UFC Performance Institute is a one-stop shop for UFC fighters, housing a sprawling gym, medical and training facilities and a kitchen.
An alliance with the UFC an alliance could culminate in 4 Pines Park being turned into a modern 20,000 seat stadium with a roof. Picture: Getty Images
The UFC has a similar facility in China and Sydney’s northern beaches could become their base in Australia under a plan that has been put forward by the Sea Eagles.
Manly are keen to return to Las Vegas next year given Penn struck up a relationships with San Francisco 49ers president last week, prompting discussion over the NFL giants buying a stage in the Sea Eagles.