A recent article on The Roar detailed the merit of a potential new stadium in Sydney. However, another one is not needed when you consider that current stadia in Sydney are under-attended by all football codes in NSW.
The demand is not there for another stadium when looking at the average attendances of all four football codes in NSW.
The average attendance of AFL is 17k, rugby union is 24k and the A-League/NRL is 15k.
One also needed to take into consideration the disparity of team numbers between the four codes when looking at the averages.
As rugby league has nine teams, A-League/AFL has two, and rugby union only has the Waratahs.
In regards to rugby league, the code doesn’t need new stadia when it can’t even sell out suburban grounds on a consistent basis.
For example Manly, despite being finals bound consistently and winning two premierships the past five years, can’t sell out Brookie consistently.
The Waratahs used to be a major draw at the SFS but has alienated fans due to constant underachieving. They already have a quality stadium, so no change is needed.
As for the A-League, Sydney FC is fine at SFS but it has being argued by the author that the Wanderers should get a new stadium on the basis of their surging popularity.
However, he forgot to mention the fickleness of the Sydney market it which one losing season can lead to derision of a bandwagon fan-base that comes form winning.
So it’s ideal that the Wanderers stay at Parramata for the sake of developing their identity. It’s cheaper to share with the Eels in regards to rental that going alone.
In the short time of WSW’s existence Parramata Stadium has been transformed into Wanderland and it should stay that way as it has a unique atmosphere unlike anything else from any other code in Australia.
Overall, government money should no longer be spent on stadiums.
There are far more important matters that need money such as general public services and defence.
Both the NRL/AFL has the money now to spent money on stadium upgrades if needed, as for the A-League, if they want to upgrade Parramatta or move to another stadium it has to be multipurpose for it be of any worth in the long-run.
A year-long stadium such as Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane provides greater benefit than a one-code stadium.
Also, considering the amount of money needed to be spent on a new stadium which would be in the millions, the return of investment would take decades and just become another white elephant.
Sydney has enough stadiums. It is up to the sports fans to begin showing up to them and stop the excuses.
Connor
Roar Rookie
There is no need for a new stadium in our city. How many are there? 10? 15? Plus the ones that are rarely used such as North Sydney Oval, with a capacity of 20,000. I don't think the Bears are going to attract that sort of crowd again. Just bring them up to date with new facilities and amenities and let them be. A new stadium would cost a terrible amount of money too.
SuperEel22
Roar Guru
Parramatta needs to be upgraded but for that to happen the infrastructure and train station also needs funding, not to mention the ground. You can't expect the A-League and NRL to both commit to upgrade the ground as the figure is around $40million and neither of the competitions own it. The State and Federal governments both need to contribute to the upgrade. The Parramatta Eels, despite their position on the ladder, has one of the fastest growing memberships in the competition. Last year they finished with around 12,000 members, this season they have over 16,000 and growing. The plan is to have 40,000 by 2017. The Wanderers, after last season's success will see an explosion in memberships although who's to say what happens if they flop on the field. But, rather than building a new stadium they should look at upgrading Parramatta. It has a lot of facilities and infrastructure nearby not to mention that Parramatta's CBD is the second biggest in NSW and one of the biggest in the country. It is already a multi-purpose facility, hosting rugby league, soccer as well as motor cross. Which other ground in the Western Sydney area, aside from ANZ, can host those events? Penrith is a shambles of a ground and it would cost more than double to upgrade it than to upgrade Parramatta. Parramatta CEO Ken Edwards has already begun talking with the Wanderers. I love how people say the Wanderers need their own ground. NO, they don't need their own ground. They had one good season, what happens when they take a dive and can't sell out a phone booth? A 50K stadium's going to look pretty good then? You can't demolish Parramatta Stadium and ask the Eels to move either. That's our home and the fans already hate the deal we have with ANZ due to the previous board's stupidity. We'd much rather play the Dogs at Parramatta than at ANZ for the simple fact that the entire stadium would be covered in blue and gold. Upgrade Parramatta, it has the infrastructure, it requires the upgrade and it will benefit the sports played there. 30-40K capacity is all that will be needed. Big enough to host finals but small enough to retain its suburban feel.
Wilson Flatley
Roar Rookie
hellllooooooo Ian MacDonald and Eddie Obeid ring any bells? There is waste without spending.
clipper
Guest
As usual, you have not taken in the effect of the pay tv deal on the FTA figures. Just a couple of years ago the NRL had 77 of the top 100 spots on pay tv - what's the figure now? Do you think that at least some people will be watching the Sydney games on pay TV considering that all the games are now live and there are more Pay TV customers in Sydney than Melbourne? There is also the fact that all the matches are on 7mate, which always rates lower than the main channel - you will never see a 7mate show in the top 20. Once people get used to the new station and everyone can get it (remembering some people still don't have HD) then the figures may rise.
oh diana
Guest
Yes, I'm puzzled by that statistic: Folau's much-trumpeted debut for the Waratahs attracted little more than 11000 and the highest attendance thus far was at the ANZ a couple of weeks ago for an attendance of around 21000 - the only time the Tahs have broken the 20000 barrier this season. The 24000 average figure is a nonsense.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
Slow indeed appears to be the operative word. FTA AFL into Sydney has not happened in the last couple of years .7 the last contract and prior to that from memory 9.This is now the 2nd year of the new contract.The Sydney audiences have barely moved.The addition over many years of large marketing amounts spent in Sydney. Probably have to wait til global warming takes full effect.before the benefits are reaped. They have taken less money,and continue pouring large sums into Sydney and the GC.Prudent expenditure? I would hope the ARLC doesn't do similar things in WA. We know about designs.The capture of Folau,was supposed to get a lot of Polynesian kids to switch,I say no more,but suggest look at the evidence or lack thereof.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
Renegade agree,I have read some,but that is up there with the pixies.
Australian Rules
Guest
The AFL's decision to take less money for guaranteed live games into Sydney and Brisbane, wasn't about getting good ratings in those markets, it was about slow, gradual FTA exposure of a sport in non-heartland areas. It's a decision that is designed to reap benefits in 10 years + time.
Haz
Guest
And it's not purpose-built for a square-oval game. Google some pictures of some of the European soccer ovals. Stadio San Siro, Milan, or Estadio Santiago Bernabeu. Because it's not trying to be oval, the stands are ridiculously close to the game. Some of the stands go straight up. Even if you're in the nose-bleeds, you feel close--you have this awesome top-down view of the game.
Haz
Guest
West Tigers playing at Parra? Puh-leaze. They should be ingraining themselves at Campbelltown.
Haz
Guest
I love Manly, but Brookie is one of the worst grounds in Sydney. And apart from the sh!te facilities, the biggest problem is, and will continue to be location, because of the lack of adequate public transport and parking. (Local council makes a mint off the parking fines from all the sad fans trying to get a park somewhere in the back streets behind Brookie. But imagine the cost of buying a couple of the surrounding properties to drop a parking lot on.)
Renegade
Guest
WTF?! These posts are getting more and more delusional...
Australian Rules
Guest
oh dear
Silvertail
Guest
What's a bump ??? Ha ha ha ,
peeeko
Roar Guru
rugby union 24k?
barneybuck
Guest
Typical Sydney swipe at Melbourne and Adelaide I can assure you that there are PLENTY of interesting things to do other than go to the footy. Melbourne is so far ahead of Sydney on every count be it arts or culture or dining out its not funny Oh and BTW there are plenty of great pubs in Melbourne as well.
marco
Guest
NF Jo mentioned the game was in "rude health".I don't know how you took this but I read it in a positive way. As far as commenting on Sydney RL ,and many media commentators say the same thing, people need to turn up. Earlier I was critical of the TV deal but the deal is done.In 5 years there maybe a better deal. The clubs and the NRL need to use the money from the deal in a pro active way and build up attendances.This may happen with the new management.I'm sure they are looking at all suggestions. South's are having a great year.Beats me why this of all clubs doesn't get support at the grounds everyweek.
NF
Roar Guru
marco Any suggestions to improve the Sydney side of things since you tend to comment alot on RL crowds constantly mentioning the game in 'rude health',etc.
Football United
Roar Pro
and because of that the stadium is too big for everything except internationals and origin. Broncos, Reds and Roar are all playing out of a stadium that is 10-20k to big for them.
Football United
Roar Pro
because it's awful to go to any game that has 30k in a 84k stadium.