In a change from the usual practice, every player or official over the age of 16 years will have to pay at the gate to enter each of the finals venues.

“The usual practice of giving gate (free) entry passes will no longer exist,” Group Nine treasurer Brian Walker reported.

“Eligible players and team officials have no need to worry as they will be reimbursed at the end of the day.”

Walker said all players, coaches and officials listed on the “work sheet” would have their admission fee returned.

“(The) Reasons for this change to occur were discussed at the Group Nine meeting on June 29, 2017, with the main one being a quarter of players not producing their entitled player pass to gain entry,” Walker said.

Group Nine has pegged admission fees for all games in the finals series at the same level as last year.

It will cost $12 to attend each game leading up to the grand final, with the fee rising to $15 for the historic big event at Equex on September 9.

For the first time, the grand finals in every grade will be played on a Saturday.

Marking the change from the Sunday format, the first grade decider in Wagga will be scheduled to start at 5.30pm.

Other venues likely to host finals games are Harris Park, Anzac Park, Alfred Oval and Twickenham.