The Round 1 clash between Western Sydney and Sydney FC at Homebush should easily set the record for the highest-ever attendance at a domestic football game.
Say what you will about the wisdom of scheduling the A-League’s highest-profile fixture on the opening weekend, but there’s no doubt the first Sydney derby of the 2016-17 A-League season could go down in history.
Not only is the game capable of drawing in excess of 80,000 fans to the cavernous ANZ Stadium – provided it’s marketed effectively – but it can also kick off the campaign with a bang and set the tone for the rest of the season.
The fixture is a decent start for the Wanderers, in a season in which their fans will have plenty of time to get used to sitting miles from the action.
The club’s decision to play regular season fixtures at Spotless Stadium while their usual home at Parramatta is rebuilt may be borne of necessity, but it means Western Sydney’s vociferous support will invariably be diluted.
The 24,000-capacity Spotless Stadium is similar in size to Western Sydney’s usual home, but its oval configuration will leave the club’s hardcore supporters standing a long way from the action.
Elsewhere, defending champions Adelaide United have chosen not to take a fixture to Adelaide Oval this season, instead concentrating on packing out their compact Coopers Stadium home.
It’s safe to say the Reds’ previous attempts to take big games to Adelaide Oval didn’t work, with less than 20,000 fans turning out for their Round 1 fixture against Melbourne Victory last season.
If there’s one thing Adelaide should be doing more consistently it’s filling Coopers Stadium, although Reds fans would be quick to point out the boutique stadium boasts little in the way of first-class amenities.
That could also be an issue when the Newcastle Jets take their Round 17 clash against Melbourne City to Coffs Harbour, although it’s doubtful any of the locals who get to enjoy the full-fledged competition fixture will complain.
Plenty of clubs in both the NRL and AFL take games to regional locations, and with the Jets looking to rebuild on and off the field, the high-profile Friday night showdown on January 27 is one to mark on the calendar.
If we apply that logic to the Jets, then perhaps we should take the same approach to the Central Coast Mariners’ decision to play two games in Canberra.
The Mariners will face Kiwi outfit Wellington Phoenix and defending champions Adelaide in the Australian capital, with Central Coast offering a two-game membership to Canberra-based fans.
Already Football Federation Australian chief executive David Gallop has declared he’d like to see 10,000 fans in attendance for the games at Canberra Stadium, although a sceptic might claim the whole enterprise sounds like a bit of a poisoned chalice.
Surely Canberra deserves an A-League team of its own, while the Mariners must do everything within their power to try and rebuild their shrinking supporter base in Gosford.
The same could arguably be said for Brisbane, where we’re still no closer to knowing the intentions of new managing director Daniel Cobb.
With the Bakrie Group set to sell Brisbane Roar to a Melbourne-based consortium led by Cobb, it remains to be seen what impact that has on the three-time A-League champions.
With a supposed press conference on Friday having failed to materialise, the instability is likely to see even more season-ticket holders boycott the club going into the new campaign.
Perth Glory were the big improvers last season and their fans will be happy with plenty of Saturday night fixtures, while for clubs like Melbourne Victory, Sydney FC and Melbourne City, it’s essentially business as usual.
In fact, with the draw largely bereft of any major drawbacks, about the biggest downside is the fact we have to wait another four months for the season to kick off.
Josh
Guest
60,000 if they advertise it, 80,000 if they advertise the hype from the first one.
Buddy
Guest
A derby in Sydney first up whilst teams are not usually at their best or fittest should be an interesting event and the attendance will be just as interesting as it may well provide a clue as to the henuine level of interest there is in a city that are not relly great watchers of sport.....plenty playing rather than watching although traditionally Sydneysiders turn out for a big event. We keep hearing hopeful comments of the possibility of an 80000 attendance but how realistic is that really? Fixtures at Allianz have been well attended but not broken any records although the empty seats in members area may be the cause of that. ANZ will need at least 60000 inside to get the place rocking. How many more than that is anyone's guess but many of us will be watching closely. It will be jist as interesting to see what sort of promption the games receives in the weeks leading up!
Cameron
Roar Guru
Wanderers have a perfect opportunity to capitalise!
Josh
Guest
Round 1 will be insane, Sydney will get to see a record crowd, the Sydney derby name belongs to the A League and we will claim it.
Realfootball
Guest
This would be a very good year for someone to bring in a real marquee.
Realfootball
Guest
Was this meant to be funny? Acerbic?
pauly
Guest
Both parties have committed $100m for a new stadium, will be closer to Townsville CBD (1300FROWNS is on the edge of the city limits in Kirwan).
Cameron
Roar Guru
Those funds not required to fund Jets would be freed up and should rightly be put towards marketing. Here's hoping the next four months give renewed hope to Roar and Jets fans and a few marquees drives tv viewing audiences up.
Cameron
Roar Guru
Ben, you're spot on. And what this shows is FoxSports remain committed as ever to the broadcasting of the A-League. They've always done their best to accommodate this competition.
Ben of Phnom Penh
Roar Guru
The primary issue as I understand it (and my grip this issue is admittedly tentative) was the scheduling for Fox. With the EPL coverage now no longer an option there is more space in the late evening AEST for domestic football which has provided greater flexibility regarding the schedule. Wellington, Central Coast & Newcastle's willingness to have some games at other venues has also provided scheduling flexibility when it comes to stadium management (though I imagine this is much less an issue at Gosford). The result appears to be a reasonably well balance schedule. I'd still like to see Adelaide having a game in Darwin and City hosting a game in Tasmania to spread the love, and the A-League brand, however neither club is under any particular pressure to do so.
At work
Roar Rookie
I agree, if a town/city/region is in a questionable economic state then it's not the time to be introducing any new professional team.
Matthew
Guest
And is only happening because Foxtel lost the EPL. Dont applaud the FFA too much here guys. If the Optus bid had never been made and Foxtel still had the rights, it would be business as usual for Perth.
At work
Roar Rookie
Haha very true Waz, but you know it'll mean more comments! :) But really, there's not much to say about the draw, every team is impacted in some way both positively and negatively. I can only really go off Syd FC, so In saying that I'm; - Happy we aren't playing at home on Boxing Day this year - Question why once again we're playing Wellington on a Thursday night, limiting the already small cited you'd expect - Question a 7pm Sunday game against MVFC, this time limiting a traditionally large drawing team Happy we play the Jets in the last round, as I'm expecting much needed 3 points from that game for us to wrap up the Premiership ;)
Kingcowboy
Guest
Mate no need for a roof if it is just going to be for league but if they bring the fury back, yer might need a roof for the wet seaon. I personally don't mind the old stadium but she is good way out of the city. No real pubs or anything to do out there, so it would be a boom for the CBD businesses when it does get up and running. Also the corporate boxes will be a big money spinner as the western grand stand is rather small. I am a Mackay boy but the Nickle smelter being shut down has cost a lot of jobs up there I hear. The whole region is struggling, so i just don't think it is a good time to bring them back but I am by no means an expert, just my opinion.
Waz
Guest
For crying out loud, any story on the HAL is getting turned in to a pointless and repetitive discussion on expansion. Can't we just talk about the article itself for once !?!
At work
Roar Rookie
King Cowboy, really are they demolishing 1300 Smiles stadium? What's wrong with what they have, too far out of town? Any new stadium up there needs a decent roof too.
jamesb
Guest
The reason I pick Nth Qld is to rectify the mistakes of the past with Fury. A new stadium in the CBD is one major positive. Personally, I want Wollongong back!
Waz
Guest
If the Jets ownership saga is over as reported and Roar's transfer of ownership goes smoothly the FFA have no excuses and a rock solid launch of the new season should be achieved. Here's hoping.
Kingcowboy
Guest
Hi James, not a soccer fan myself but I see one postitive for a team in T'ville being the new stadium being built in the CBD. However on the other side, the city is really struggling at moment. Tough time to bring any team into the region.
jamesb
Guest
Two new teams: Nth Qld and Canberra. Wollongong to follow after that.