By 1pm it’s on to game three of five for the weekend as I make my way from North Sydney Oval to ANZ Stadium via a one hour train journey across town. 

Today the Bulldogs offered a brilliant ticketing initiative for families which saw two adults and two children be able to get into the game on a special family ticket membership for only $5 which is one of the best NRL ticketing bargains I’ve seen this year. 

The Bulldogs Family Fan Zone which is located at the back of ANZ Stadium was a spectacular affair of kids activities like jumping castles and skills drills as well as digital and tech focused sponsor activations.  Member’s benefits include access to the special blue carpeted fan entry point while once inside bland concrete walls have been decorated with large Bulldogs banners featuring the club emblem and 2018 team photo which added something colourful to the event presentation in the concourses. It’s interesting in my travels to see the effectiveness of these inside venues, especially those with multiple hirers as it provides fans with a feeling that this is their fortress but more than anything these street art to colourful displays just look good and provide photo and social posting opportunities too. Further fan entertainment includes face painting for kids, cheerleader dances, t-shirt gun, the KIA virtual reality experience. rides and giveaways.

Bulldogs fans are part of the pre-game show with fans encouraged to present the match ball and at every game one member is presented with the 18th jersey. A major incentive in 2018 from ANZ Stadium in 2018 has seen fan first pricing come into effect with fans able to get cheap food and beverages on NRL game days.

The Bulldogs in my experience travelling around the NRL grounds have traditionally always been very strong on the match day fan experience front by going the extra lengths for kids and families.