NSW Waratahs latest major sporting team coming to Newcastle

City of Newcastle has secured the NSW Waratahs first ever official Super Rugby match at McDonald Jones Stadium in March next year.

The announcement breaks new ground for both the 2014 Super Rugby champions and City of Newcastle, with Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes confirming next year's fixture would be the first time the State team has taken a home game to a destination outside of Sydney.

NSW Waratahs Assistant Coach Chris Whitaker and CEO Andrew Hore with Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes at McDonald Jones Stadium

"This is a major coup for Newcastle so to be standing here at McDonald Jones Stadium today to welcome this foundation State team to our city is just incredible,” the Lord Mayor said after the City secured the NSW Waratahs' historic game as part of a joint bid with Venues NSW.

"We’re proud to be the inaugural beneficiaries of the NSW Waratahs' first foray outside of Sydney, particularly for a competition which has now achieved true international status with the addition of Japanese and Argentinean teams."

NSW Waratahs prop Harry Johnson-Holmes at McDonald Jones Stadium

The NSW Waratahs have played pre-season matches outside of Sydney, but the 29 March fixture against the Japan Sunwolves will be the first home game ever staged outside of the harbour city during the regular season.

"Securing the NSW Waratahs is just the latest major sporting team or event Newcastle has secured over the past year," the Lord Mayor said.

"We’ve just had the Australian netball team play a test against England. The Matildas game vs Chile is early next month, and of course final preparations are under way for November’s Supercars race. Next month we will learn if Newcastle will be the 2021 host city for the Women’s Rugby World Cup.

"Our ability to continually attract some of the country's best live sporting and entertainment events shows just how committed we are to making our city the best it can possibly be.

"We look forward to working with the NSW Waratahs, Venues NSW and McDonald Jones Stadium to host this event next year in the hope that it will become a permanent fixture from 2020 onwards."