Sharks CEO Richard Munro says Cronulla want to make Jubilee Stadium their own "fortress" after announcing the club will use the historic Kogarah venue as its home ground for the 2020 NRL season.
The Sharks confirmed in July the club would proceed with the major redevelopment of their leagues club with plans to build a "world class entertainment venue" on the existing leagues club site which will require extensive building works.
The club have elected to close the leagues club for 18 months from January. The redevelopment will see the Sharks forced to move their home games from PointsBet Stadium, Woolooware to alternate venues for the 2020 and 2021 seasons.
The Sharks had considered playing eight of their home games at Kogarah or Wollongong's WIN Stadium and a derby game against bitter local rivals St George Illawarra at Parramatta's Bankwest Stadium.
Instead, the Dragons will be forced to use the away dressing sheds at Jubilee Stadium when they play the Sharks there next season, with Cronulla announcing they will play 11 of their 12 home games at Kogarah in 2020.
The Sharks will take their final home game to Queensland's Sunshine Coast in an attempt to broaden their supporter base.
The Dragons are expected to again split their home game allocation between Kogarah and Wollongong, meaning St George Illawarra are likely to again play five home games at Jubilee Stadium in 2020.
Sydney FC are also about to make Kogarah their major temporary home, with the Sky Blues to play 10 of their 13 home A-League games at Jubilee Stadium for the 2019-20 A-League season.
Munro said Cronulla had negotiated with Georges River Council to host 11 games at Kogarah next season following an "exhaustive" consultation process with members, sponsors and fans.
"While there were many ideas put forward, Netstrata Jubilee Stadium emerged as the clear preference of our stakeholders," Munro said.
"Jubilee Stadium is only about 10-kilometres up the road from PointsBet Stadium and it is accessible by both road and rail.
"So it is a convenient option for all Sharks supporters and commercial partners.
"We will play more games at Kogarah than any other sporting team next year and we intend making it our own fortress.
"The players are supportive of the move and now we are focused on delivering a great season for our fans."
Georges River Council mayor Kevin Greene said the council was pleased to deliver more elite level games to Kogarah and provide a temporary home to the Sharks.
"We look forward to hosting both the Cronulla Sutherland Sharks and their dedicated fans," Greene said.
An information session for club members will be held next month to provide more details and give fans a chance to ask questions.
"We apologise for the inconvenience to our loyal fans for the next two years but these works will set up the Sharks for long term success both on and off the field," Munro said.
The club said they would develop a range of packages for members to encourage fans to follow the club to their temporary home grounds next year, including incentives to ensure members can return to their current seats at Shark Park when Cronulla return to the shire in 2022.
