The introduction of AAMI Stadium to Australian sports grounds has got me thinking. Which code/club has the greatest home atmosphere? Some of you more familiar with other codes, teams and their home grounds will be able to put their own suggestions in.
AFL, League, Union, Football, Cricket all have their domestic seasons, and forgetting finals footy for the moment, or internationals, the Melbourne Victory fans at AAMI Stadium would be hard to beat, if not in numbers, certainly in atmosphere and passion.
Only 13,000 were in the ground for last weekend’s game against the North Queensland Fury. but the noise and passion pouring down from the stands had me wondering what would it be like when they get on a roll and fill the thing.
Of course, it helped that the game was a belter, which begs the question: does the atmosphere make the game or the game/stadium make the atmosphere?
The stands are close to the pitch – almost British perhaps – ensuring the pace of the game is lifted, possibly, by the energy of the fans.
Watch out for the Melbourne Derby in October. What will that be like?
TheStinger
Roar Rookie
I might be a bit biased but the atmosphere at Hindmarsh Stadium when it is packed and rocking is hard to beat. The night we beat Bunyodkor in the ACL, with 17,000 fans going boonta, I'll never forget that night.
Redb
Roar Guru
Packed MCG - impossible to beat. 98,000 at the 2007 prelim Collingwood v Geelong - the noise was deafening.
Jay
Guest
Suncorp for Origin and a Carlton v Collingwood at the G would be hard to top
Tadpohle
Roar Rookie
New name for Gold Coast Uniteds stadium ....... THE VACUUM. Change the name of the youth League team to "Space Cadets".
jimmy_01
Guest
are you joking, anyone in brisbane who attended anyone of the reds games this season apart from the tahs match would have been blown away. I've attended 40,000+ broncos games, but the reds vs bulls, followed by the stormers were the two greatest matches I've ever watched live in any code. Passion comes from teams who've been in the wilderness for years, but suddenly emerge. Fans who've stuck with that club become passionate and atmosphere at the grounds they play at becomes increadible
Stormin Red
Guest
It already has a few votes but Lang Park on Origin night cannot be beaten, the atmosphere in the stadium during this years game was electric. Having been to all the codes in Brissie I would say that on a regular basis the Roar's fans create the best atmosphere. The other codes can easily beat the Roar for one off games just because of the numbers but over the duration of the season they just don't seem to keep up the enthusiasm.
Axel V
Guest
The atmosphere at Amsterdam Arena yesterday for the Champions League qualifier! o_o http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jpW39zHKELM Note how the stadium is not full of fluro yellow staff wanting to kick anyone that sings or stands out of the stadium
Axel V
Guest
AAMI Park is unbelievable, it being small is actually an advantage in my opinion, even the small crowds make it feel large. One thing that bothers me howevers is the seperation of bays due to entrances in the North and South ends, it's alot harder for 3 bays to unite as they are apart. While I havn't been to the SFS, the Cove tend to make alot of noise and the place seemed to be rocking on Valentines Day and the Semi Final. Dockland's Stadium despite fans being away from the action and the poor acoustics etc still was unbelievable in the 2007 Grand Final in that 6-0 win :D Also the Ashes Boxing Day Cricket at the MCG is incredible, the MCG amplifies the noise from tier 1. It's just a pity that most patrons never sing, which is why the Barmy Army make it special, on top of the bursts of amazing noises you get from a full MCG. It really makes your hair stand. I think a mixture of warmth, beer, stadium, play of the game, and passion make the best atmospheres :) , for Melbourne Victory, that is on a regular basis.
M1tch
Roar Guru
Leichardt oval on a sunday afternoon with a full house followed by Suncorp and the SFS
Axel V
Guest
unless AAMI Stadium was to get a new sponsor and AAMI Park becomes AAMI Stadium :)
General Ashnak
Guest
Not even ARF, brilliant stadium 20 years ago. Now?
Ben of Phnom Penh
Guest
true, you don't want to be playing football at AAMI Stadium...... ever.
bilbo
Guest
Even at half full - 26K people - the stadium still sounds like it is full.
Art Sapphire
Guest
Eamonn - AAMI Stadium (Football Park) is in Adelaide. AAMI Park (Bubbledome) is Melbourne.
Ben of Phnom Penh
Guest
Out of the football stadiums certainly the boutique stadiums deliver a more consistent atmosphere. Perhaps much of Adelaide's crowd retention has to to with Hindmarsh stadium and the atmosphere that can be generated.
Willy
Guest
Tigers v TBA in a Finals Game at Leichhardt could be brilliant in a couple of weeks as well! I remember sitting on the hill in the late 80s when they played Penrith a week out from the finals. Un-f*cking-believable. Just a wall of energy.
Willy
Guest
Rugby Union games generate incredible atmosphere... just not so much in Australia! I've been to Twickenham, Murrayfield, Landsdowne Rd, Croke Park, Cardiff Arms, Millenium Stadium... and I can tell you each and every one dwarfs anything we can create down here, in any code. Worst atmosphere - Tahs v any South African side at a rainy SFS... Honestly, it's a good place to get some sleep if you're tired...
Michael Turner
Roar Pro
despite being a blues fan, Lang Park during State of Orgin. Amazing.
CizzyRascal
Roar Guru
Any game in Lang Park brings a very good atmosphere from what I've seen. One of the best stadiums I've seen on TV for atmosphere, would love to visit it at some stage.