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The site of the current Parramatta Stadium is due for a massive upgrade, and the Sydney Football Stadium and ANZ Stadium are also due for touchups as a result of a significant announcement from the NSW government.
Parramatta will get a brand new stadium as part of the $1 billion investment, which Sydney A-League and NRL clubs stand to benefit from.
In particular, the Western Sydney Wanders and Parramatta Eels will no doubt be very happy to have a bigger stadium to call home.
It signals what is the largest investment in sporting infrastructure in Sydney since the city hosted the 2000 Olympics.
While the full details of the deal haven’t been released, it is understood Moore Park will have a new rectangular stadium built, which will seat 50,000 and 55,000 people.
There is also talk of a retractable roof and redevelopment of ANZ Stadium at the Olympic Park.
The SCG upgrade is also set to be completed.
“A global city like Sydney needs world-class sporting venues and this investment will ensure fans and sporting teams have the facilities they deserve,” NSW Premier Mike Baird said.
“Our first priority is building a new 30,000 seat stadium at Parramatta on the site of the existing facility, with work to begin as soon as possible and construction expected to be completed by 2019,” he said.
NRL CEO Dave Smith said it was a significant boost to the game.
“This is a fantastic result for Rugby League and especially the fans who deserve world class facilities,” Smith said.
“This is the biggest investment in Rugby League infrastructure in the game’s history.
“The NRL has worked closely with the NSW Government over many months to secure better facilities for fans – and this is just what we need.
“It means we will have a world class stadium at Parramatta – right in the heart of western Sydney.
“This is an ideal site, close to transport, restaurants, bars and other services.
“We will also have a modern stadium, purpose built for Rugby League, at Moore Park and an upgrade of Stadium Australia.
“Sydney has been crying out for quality sporting venues – and now we are going to get them.”
FFA CEO David Gallop also weighed in on the announcement.
“I commend the Premier Mike Baird and Sports Minister Stuart Ayres for giving priority to the Parramatta project in the government’s sports infrastructure program announced today,” Gallop said.
“This is a great outcome for football and the Western Sydney Wanderers. It demonstrates football’s strength and popularity in the west of Sydney.
“If not for the thousands of Wanderers fans who regularly fill the current Parramatta Stadium, there wouldn’t have been a compelling case for the funding.
“We also welcome the investments to be made in a new rectangular stadium at Moore Park and the redevelopment of ANZ Stadium. These investments will provide much-needed new facilities for football fans and will showcase football’s major events.
“I’m delighted that Sydney FC will get a brand new home for their growing fan base. It’s worth noting that the Sydney derby between Sydney FC and the Wanderers is the biggest annual event at Allianz Stadium.
“It’s important that ANZ Stadium becomes a world-class rectangular stadium with a 70,000-plus capacity to enable Sydney to compete with the likes of Melbourne’s MCG. I’ve been saying that from the outset of this debate. Sydney needs a world-class, major event venue for big Socceroos matches, A-League Grand Finals and big games with European clubs.
“All football fans will congratulate the Baird Government for the commitment to more than $1 billion in investment. Having the right mix of sports and entertainment venues will make a huge difference to Sydney’s stature as one of the world’s great cities.”
ANZ Stadium said the investment continued the progress toward the venue being a world-class rectangular stadium.
“We are looking forward to working with the NSW Government to finalise the scope and design for the redevelopment of ANZ Stadium to ensure it is again a truly world-class stadium – and one that provides a rectangular arena for football, rugby league and rugby union,” ANZ Stadium CEO Daryl Kerry said.
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