The Sydney Swans will reportedly end their regular season commitments to ANZ Stadium from the start of the 2017 AFL season, an agreement that currently sees them host three home games per year at Homebush.
The announcement comes in the wake of news the stadium will receive a $350 million upgrade, adding a roof and stadiums that can be adjusted depending on specific code requirements.
The Stadium has been a point of contention amongst fans for many years, many often flagging frustrations associated with the grounds location, as well as the quality of the surface.
Following the announcement, Swans chairman, Andrew Pridham stated: “The SCG was our home when we first arrived in Sydney, we train every day at the ground and there is no doubt it remains the spiritual home for our club in Sydney.”
The club’s Chief executive, Andrew Ireland, also reinforced the significance of the venue to the club: “Having a single home ground for our Club is important to us and gives us the opportunity to better work with the SCG on delivering the best possible fan experience.”
In support of the club’s decision, initial reaction to the announcement has been largely positive from Sydney fans:
The arrangement will also extend to any home finals hosted by the Swans, where seating capacity has previously forced a move to the 80,000+ seat stadium.
The 46,000 seat capacity of the SCG would have been more than enough for the Swans’ Qualifying Final win against Fremantle (35,998), but did fall just short for their Preliminary Final win against North Melbourne (48,029).
Sydney will be able to schedule these high interest fixtures as the SCG, however the final decision on scheduling finals will fall on the AFL.
The Swans will continue to play three home games at the Homebush stadium throughout the 2015 and 2016 AFL seasons, before making the permanent move to the SCG.
Dogs Of War
Roar Guru
Plenty of money has been poured into that stadium in the last 10 years, that it's unlikely that any more will be thrown at it in the forseeable future.
Scott Davern
Guest
Your living in a bubble mate Swans will never get like that , work it out there the biggest brand in Australia !
alicesprings
Guest
Is a drop in pitch part of the SCG deal???
Shouts Chen
Guest
Sydney Swans play home games mostly at Sydney Cricket Ground. ANZ Stadium is used for finals footy. I hope that Sydney Cricket Ground would be used for Finals footy in 2017 onwards (previous was back in 2005 Semi Final when the Swans beat Geelong Cats by 3 points).
Mister Football
Roar Guru
Interesting point, although AO has two AFL teams with big supporter bases to help fund the upgrade and the SCG only has the one.
Tony
Guest
50,000 capacity at the SCG - that's less than Adelaide Oval. Surely the capacity will be increased with this new Swans agreement? Perhaps we will see one of the stands on the wings be rebuilt with members facilities for the Swans.
Maxilimiiian
Guest
Is post game kick to kick part of the SCG deal???
Ben of Phnom Penh
Roar Guru
A good move for the Swans, the SCG is perfect for their needs and makes for a much happier supporter base.
Brian
Guest
Surely the Socceroos & Wallabies can be prized out for signing agreements to help fund ANZ going rectangular. When Melbourne Park was built TA agreed that if Australia ever host the davis cup final it has to be played there.
Brian
Guest
Will be easier to get tickets when Buddy's 36 and the Swans are battling for the spoon. Then the talk will be about why GWS have to play their home preliminary Final at the SCG.
Margaret
Guest
Win for the SCG a it gives more likelihood to ANZ becoming rectangular and hence no cricket compeitition but win for Shepherds Giants as western cricket at Spotless,,,
Margaret
Guest
The AFL paid $5m to get it oval in 1997? but got all the revenue back from the first big final they held there..so the investment has been repaid. The ANZ redevelopment is written as if its a fait accompli - hardly with the NSW Govt - the NSW Govt gave the RL $45m to hold the GF in Sydney when there are no other bidder.so that money should go into grounds. Masters got a free kick on Offsiders to lambast the AFL for getting grounds money with Masters half truths but they didnt take him to task...
Ahmed
Guest
I would go as far to say that this decision will grow football at a faster rate than any grand final win ever did. People will get back the unique atmosphere that football provides at games. There are several ramifications that I can think of: - does the AFL payment to make ANZ oval still hold, or does this contract get torn up now that the Swans have left (im guessing the AFL signed the contract with ANZ). - If ANZ becomes rectangular there may be possible future need for a bigger oval stadium in Syneys West. This is considering that the Swans/Giants derby may grow, and also that national level cricket needs to be played in Sydneys West. - a clear distinction has now been made between the Swans and the Giants.
AR
Guest
"Everyone’s forgetting their favourite monster, GWS" Lucky for everyone, *you're* not forgetting your favourite monster josh. Is GWS still hiding under your bed and lurking inside your closet?
Josh
Guest
Everyone's forgetting their favourite monster, GWS, they'll pop up and drag themselves out to that stadium. And let's not forget the line 'the AFL have final day in finals fixturing......' If they expect a big game, it'll be at ANZ
Andy_Roo
Roar Guru
Sounds like a win for the Swans and their fans. ANZ stadium is not a favourite among NRL fans with one of the criticisms being that the top tier of seating is miles away from the play. I don't see how $350 milliom dollars will ever fix this fundamental problem.
Mark
Guest
This is a dream come true. I'm hoping the Bombers game I attend there next year is the very last.
alicesprings
Guest
Anyone know how many general admission seats there are for swans games?? - I think there are about 12000 SCG members(happy to be corrected). - According to an AFL article today only 5000 reserved seat memberships remain at the SCG. Either way a waiting list on memberships for the swans isn't too far away.
Terry
Guest
This is a win for all codes in Sydney but especially for AFL. The vast majority of Swans' fans will be pleased and the Giants will be pleased to be the only AFL team playing in Western Sydney. Even NRL and football will benefit as they will now be able to use the stadium only for sports played on a rectangle shaped field and move the seating closer. Sydney Thunder BIg Bash cricket team should sign a lease with the Giants to use Spotless Stadium.
Whiskers
Guest
The more I think about it, the more this is a master stroke by the AFL. Saddle the rectangle people with ANZ and make them pay for it, consolidate Australian football in Central Sydney. GWS's boutique thing is fine for the moment.