By Michael DiFabrizio
December 17th 2008 @ 2:21am
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The myth of a World Cup venue shortage
Kevin Rudd has given the FFA the money it needs to make a play for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, but there are still those who doubt if we can even get close to hosting the world’s biggest sporting event.
There are the obvious drawbacks, most notably the notion that 2018 is destined for Europe. Or that China is lurking around the corner ready to dash our hopes.
However, as yet China isn’t pushing the envelope and whilst Europe is certainly of concern, it will take more than one continent to bring down the bid.
Another concern you hear raised a lot locally is that Australia does not have the stadiums to host the tournament.
FIFA reportedly requires between nine and twelve venues, although they’ve recently showed flexibility in this area by pressing the 2014 World Cup hosts, Brazil, to use between eight and ten. Another part of this requirement is that only one city may have two venues.
The other major sticking point is that a World Cup stadium must have a capacity of at least 40,000, with at least 60,000 needed for semi-final and final venues.
As it stands, the FFA can barely bring itself to letting the Socceroos play in a city that doesn’t reside along the east coast.
But it must be said, the status quo in Perth and Adelaide is unlikely to last until 2018, with or without a World Cup. A successful bid will ensure these changes won’t be AFL-centric and stadiums of World Cup quality will be ready.
So with that in mind, and a quick stroll around the other major cities, the stadium glass begins to look half-full, not half-empty.
Going by order of capacity, the MCG tops the list.
Although some may criticize the ground for its oval shape, it is worth remembering that at the 2006 Commonwealth Games, several rows of seating had to be removed to accommodate the running track.
At the final of the 2006 World Cup, Berlin’s stadium had a running track around it.
Next up is Sydney’s ANZ Stadium. It’s proven itself as a world-class venue and will fit in well at a World Cup.
Following closely behind is Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium. With a minor upgrade to nudge the capacity over 60,000, it would be perfect for a semi-final.
To complement the Melbourne and Sydney venues, either one of the Sydney Football Stadium and an upgraded Melbourne “bubble” stadium would work nicely. (As a preference, however, bending FIFA’s rules so both can be used would be ideal.)
So to get to FIFA’s Brazil target of eight, it would take just one or two regional centres to jump on board. If nine is the preferred number, at most it would be three.
That’s not to say work doesn’t still need to be done. But you only have to look as far as the next two host nations of the event – South Africa and Brazil – to realize just how good we’ve got it.
The 2010 World Cup in South Africa will feature five venues built completely from scratch, one with a major overhaul and four that have undergone renovation work.
No current venue in Brazil in its present state is ready for the 2014 edition of the tournament.
Alexandre Massura, a special project manager for the bid, told USA Today last year: “The last venue built was 50 years ago, and by 2014 we have to give the world 12 new facilities.”
Australia has four venues either ready to go or just in need of a minor face-lift. In that regard, we’re on par, if not slightly ahead, with South Africa.
Australia will in all likeliness only need two new venues, the rest will be upgrades of existing stadia. In that regard, we’re well ahead of both South Africa and Brazil.
And in terms of the number of stadiums over 40,000, we’re easily comparable to one of our biggest rivals for 2018, Spain.
Governments at both a state and federal level have shown their support, and will no doubt be aware of what they’re getting themselves in to.
We’re no England. We’re no USA.
But in the bigger scheme of things, we’re really not that far off.
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etat said | December 17th 2008 @ 7:50am | Report comment
Suncorp Stadium / Lang Park is in a bind. It is difficult to see how they will justify yet another upgrade to a rugby league ground on the back of funding for football. It is a great stadium, possible Australia’s best rectangular stadium, but this “completeness” means that it would be difficult to change. An alternative for Brisbane might be that QE2 is knocked down and replaced by an 80-90,000 seat stadium in line with a possible Brisbane Olympic bid around that time. A new QE2 would have great transport access to the Gold Coast and be close to the Ipswich motorway.
Finally, a number of comments on the Road have suggested Melbourne host the final due to the size of the MCG and its history. I don’t think so. MCG should definitely be on the list for those reasons but is terrible for watching association football and should not host the final. Sydney is it.
Koala Bear said | December 17th 2008 @ 9:14am | Report comment
Michael D,
I believe we will find the necessary stadia with little trouble to stage the event, as you have rightly pointed out, with what is currently out there at present… Your points that we now as it stands, are presently in front of SA and Brazil are encouraging. I must confessed I had not thought about that in those terms… Very comforting to acknowledge that indeed..
great article and much better than your last…
I live on the Gold Coast and we have a Sate-of-the-art Robina Rectangle Stadium 27k with foundations to build a 45k plus refurbishment that has already a rail link to Brisbane Airport and CBD .. Eventually the proposed rail link will link up to the Gold Coast Airport.that is not far away now, its almost there.. Great Beaches and a fibrant tourist destination all add to a spectacular proposed WC location ..
I don’t expect it will be considered for the semis or final.. However, it will stand in good stead and capable for a quarter final supported with our amenities; hundreds of tourist hotels and resorts etc .. This Gold Coast Stadium will be a stand out in 2018 the home of the Gold Coast United FC that, will take the HAL by storm in 2009-10 .. I can’t wait for 2018…
~~~~~~~~~
KB
Millster said | December 17th 2008 @ 9:40am | Report comment
I am still of the view that we should also not discount using one or two centres in New Zealand. The combination of quality rectangular stadia, and the Oceania development angle (and vote) is to me very compelling.
Strangely enough being a Sydneysider myself I think there is some value in making sure that the whole nation shares in the World Cup. I would not like to see, for example, both ANZ and SFS used, plus Energy in Newcastle just up the road, at the expense of Perth, Adelaide or Canberra getting a piece of the action.
Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Canberra, Gold Coast, Auckland, Wellington, Newcastle – 10 venues in 10 major population centres yet with no duplicates, and Sydney’s large football audience is served through proximity to Newcastle and Canberra should the one resident stadium not be enough to satisfy the appetite there. Seems like a good footprint to me. Oh by the way if the final is in Sydney or Melbourne then I hope there is the foresight to give the semis to Brisbane and Auckland.
dasilva said | December 17th 2008 @ 12:05pm | Report comment
Using NZ as part of the World Cup bid
I don’t have a problem with that except one problem.
Bin Hammen may have a problem with that.
He’s seems pretty reluctant about the idea of Australia helping Oceania.
Sepp Blatter even once said about joint Australia – New Zealand bid – You can’t just join Asia and then have a world cup bid representing Oceania.
Sam said | December 17th 2008 @ 8:12pm | Report comment
Remember the Olympic Stadium in Sydney did host the greatest ever Olympics in 2000 and probably the greatest ever Rugby World Cup final in 2003 (the 2nd and 3rd largest events in the world). It could easily host the World Cup Final and would probably be extended to 110,000 for the World Cup as it was during the Olympics. It also did host the greatest ever moment in Australian football in 2005 when we qualified for the World Cup. It is seen as an international stadium. Sorry but for me the final at the MCG would be a victory for Aussie Rules over football. As good as an oval stadium it is, its history is in Aussie Rules and cricket and knowing the Melburnians they will be spreading the AFL gospel to the rest of the world.
Parochialism aside, at the end of the day Frank Lowy is a Sydney boy. Having the final at the ‘G’ is like Ron Walker handing over the Australian Tennis Open to Sydney.
Joe FC said | December 17th 2008 @ 8:31pm | Report comment
Michael
this is a quality article, informative, factual, credible & highly readable. Well done.
Michael DiFabrizio said | December 17th 2008 @ 8:56pm | Report comment
Now Sam, be careful there. You’re opening the Melbourne-Sydney can of worms. But rather than dissect the merits of each city, I have to pull you up on this:
“Sorry but for me the final at the MCG would be a victory for Aussie Rules over football.”
I struggle to see how this has any relevance. Was the 2006 final in Berlin a victory for athletics because of the running track around it? Was the 1994 final at the Rose Bowl (in LA) a victory for college football?
This is a football tournament. Nothing to do with AFL or cricket. I very much doubt FIFA would let any other sport overshadow their showpiece event anyway.
Pippinu said | December 17th 2008 @ 9:06pm | Report comment
Good article Michael.
Playing the final at the MCG a victory for aussie rules? AFL people will use it to spread the “gospel to the rest of the world”?
Please, give me a break!
(will the AFL encourage overseas visitors to sample some local culture at the Dome – probably!!)
Let’s give the final to whoever is most likely to get the biggest crowd – if it’s Sydney – fine.
I tell you what folks – what are the chances of Brazil as a host nation falling over a la Colombia circa 1984?
Sam said | December 17th 2008 @ 9:09pm | Report comment
Michael
Wherever the final is I hope that the world game is the only thing that is advertised. Yes I know Melbourne is the sporting capital, but Sydney is also a world famous city. Maybe I don’t like the ‘cricket ground’ bit in the name. Like I said though I think Sydney has the inside running with Frank Lowy and the fact the FFA has all its set up in Sydney (including the Asian and FIFA conferences which were both held there). We will wait and see..
Michael DiFabrizio said | December 17th 2008 @ 9:23pm | Report comment
Sam, may the best city win.
Others, thanks for the positive feedback.
Guy Smiley said | December 17th 2008 @ 10:15pm | Report comment
Perth’s proposed new stadium, due for completion in 2014, is now dead in the water thanks to the new State Govt. There is no sign that it will be resuscitated. Adelaide has no suitable venue so would also need a new stadium. The MCG and the Dome are both oval so FIFA would be extremely reluctant to consider them – the argument that the Olympic Stadium in Berlin had an athletics track is disingenuous as although it was curved behind each goal the wings were still close to pitchside and parallel. The closest fans at an oval ground for a rectangular field are at the corner flags. Empty swathes of grass around the pitch look terrible. Telstra Stadium, the SFS, Suncorp are all suitable venues plus the fantastic smaller ground in Robina, QLD.
As a sobering thought, in Durban, South Africa for the 2010 World Cup they are currently constructing a brand new purpose built stadium – right next door to Kings Park (ABSA Stadium), one of the best rugby grounds in the world with it’s big capacity and vertiginous stands. Australia would be lucky to have such a ground but it’s still not good enough. And the thought of sharing the tournament with NZ simply results in the same problems – crap stadia, except maybe the revamped Eden Park.
Maybe all of this is irrelevant as FIFA are up there with the IOC for appalling corruption and politicking – it will got to whoever funnels the most money to Sepp Blatter and Jack Warner
Michael DiFabrizio said | December 18th 2008 @ 8:23am | Report comment
Guy, the Maracana in Brazil, one of the more famous World Cup final venues of all time and set to host the final again in 2014. It’s essentially an oval ground, albeit a smaller one than the MCG. That rules out the parallel factor.
Not saying the MCG is perfect, just that — should it remain our largest venue — there’s no reason for the final not to be there.
Redb said | December 18th 2008 @ 8:33am | Report comment
Sam’s mentality is typical of the all for soccer attitude that will threaten the support the World Cup gets from other codes and their fans. As will any agenda that suggests Perth and Adelaide should not be mindful of AFL when they build or re-build stadiums for hosting the World Cup. Like it or not AFL has the crowd numbers in those cities and deserves access to the biggest stadiums. Any new stadium must be multi-purpose.
I also remember a few posters here suggesting sometime ago that the World Cup should be seen as an opportunity for Aussie Rules to showcase itself whilst the “world’s eyes are upon us”, a form of compensation for moving AFL games away from it’s premier venue for two months.
Redb
Dave said | December 18th 2008 @ 8:55am | Report comment
Redb
Absolutely believe that a WC here would be a great opportunity for AFL to showcase itself to the world. Why not?
Happy for new stadiums in Adelaide and Perth to be multi purpose but if that means building with moveable seats then make sure they are used unlike the farce at TD.
Sam’s attitude is not typical of all both in the all for football stance nor the Sydney final over MCG final. The WC here would be great for tourism (interesting to note the Feds gave $40m to Big Bad Baz to promote the “Oztralia” the movie believing it will promote tourism here). Unless they are planning to expand Telstra Stadium then the final has to be at the MCG…but lets get the tournament first.
Forgetmenot said | December 18th 2008 @ 9:30am | Report comment
For the AFL to fully support soccers bid, they will have to be guaranteed some sort of exposure to the rest of the world. The AFL is not going to hand over the keys for the MCG to be used however they like.
Is anyone here forgetting that the MCG is not just a ground. It also contains the Melbourne Cricket Club, as well as the National Sports Mueseum.
The National Sports Mueseum in my mind should be a major attraction, and a major part of the advertising for any games held at the G’.
I also fully expect the President of FIFA to acknowledge that the AFL and NRL have given up their stadiums to help the soccer WC. Thats IF Australia gets it ever.
Michael C said | December 18th 2008 @ 9:36am | Report comment
Sam, Sam, Sam………….what a silly thing to say. (about the MCG),
it’s owned by the MCC,
managed by the MCG trust (govt appointed)
and over charges the AFL.
how does that provide a victory for Aussie Rules should it host the FIFA WC final????
Why do you see it that way? Are you blind to the MCG as Australias FIRST Olympic stadium??
are you blind to the huge soccer and rugby crowds that have attended there?
re the ’showcase AFL’ aspect – - – whether playing a game or two as a ‘warm up’ (perhaps even a TAC cup under 18 game – - – with the Tas19 vs NT20 ‘expansion’ sides!?!?!)…..
or
simply that the AFL ensures that overseas tourists with FIFA WC tickets had a chance to purchase special deal tickets to AFL matches…..
……if tourism works, many people come for the soccer, and many more just for the party atmosphere.
hazza said | December 18th 2008 @ 11:32am | Report comment
As a melbournite I think that Melbourne gets the opening game while Sydney gets the final providing sydney increases capacity to 110000. However I like Jeff Kennetts idea of a few years ago: Increase capacity of MCG to 120,000 by placing more seating on the ground and having a stadium that looks like a English football ground.
etat said | December 18th 2008 @ 9:57pm | Report comment
While I am enormously proud of the MCG and its role in world sporting history it is a bad stadium for watching live association footy and provides awkward viewing on TV. There are much better football stadiums in Australia and these include Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney Olympic Stadium and Lang Park in Brisbane. The MCG has to play a role in any world cup bid but it would be a less competitive bid that proposes the MCG as the host of the final. Starting game yes, semi-final sure, final no.
dasilva said | December 18th 2008 @ 10:35pm | Report comment
“interesting to note the Feds gave $40m to Big Bad Baz to promote the “Oztralia” the movie believing it will promote tourism here”
Why on earth are people saying that the World Cup bid is the waste of money then?
That movie made me embarrassed to be Australian.
Westy said | December 18th 2008 @ 10:56pm | Report comment
I would have to say that Suncorp stadium is the best restangular stadium to watch football or the rugby codes. Only been there once but it was made for these codes. Obviously not for the final but it certainly deserves a birth for a semi. i would nominate the other semi in Sydney at ANZ and the final in Melbourne at the MCG irrespective of its drawbacks. Tradition is important and Melbourne’s genuine historical support for quality sport gives it the nod.
Dasilva sympathise with your sentiments but please you must develop a thicker skin. I personally thought Alvin Purple was pretty good so to the Cars that ate paris and best represented our country.