To stay competitive in the sporting landscape, Adelaide needs to step up its game, by building a state of the art rectangular stadium that can rival the best in the world.
Hindmarsh stadium, even back in the old Super League days was small. Now it hosts Adelaide United and is regularly sold out.
It’s simply not good enough to be propping up the “house full” sign on the back of 14,000 people.
South Australians deserve a world-class rectangular stadium that is purpose built for the modern era. A retractable roof is a must, as well as stadium Wi-fi, oversized replay screens, built-in cup holders to seats, and all the various modern corporate boxes that pay the bills.
For the die-hard fans, a mix of seating in the upper tier and standing in the lower tier behind the goals is necessary, so active supporters who don’t use seats anyway can stand and dance until their hearts are content. There are plenty of methods that can be employed to make sure only a set number of people are in the area without taking away the atmosphere that the people want.
It’s important that the stadium is built central to Adelaide. Without having a ‘local’s knowledge’ of the area, there would likely be some real estate near Adelaide Oval that could be used. The local council will say no, but it’s my stadium idea, so roll with it. Moving away from Hindmarsh to a central area means services that are used in winter for the AFL can be used in summer for A-League and cricket.
A bonus of building a major stadium is it can be used to attract events to a more intimate smaller stadium that still seats 48,000. It’s not outside the realm of possibility to have a WWE pay-per-view event based out of a rectangular stadium that has all the modern shiny things.
There is also the chance to take Wallabies and Kangaroos games to Adelaide and to try to build a support base for the respective codes. Or it could benefit tourism, as rugby seems to be a wasteland in South Australia. Taking the game to Adelaide would generate tourism cash from east coast fans that follow the respective teams.
The A-League would be the major anchor tenant for a new stadium and with 48,000 capacity, fans wouldn’t be turned away. A lot of that capacity would likely not get used every week, but if Adelaide can get on another run like last season and were to meet Melbourne Victory in the final in Adelaide, the place would sell out and would provide an amazing atmosphere.
Of course, my dream stadium does have a few problems.
No winter tenant is an issue, as the major inner city stadiums on the east coast all are sustained by rugby teams. The domestic union competition looks more likely to reduce teams than add them, and the NRL doesn’t even bother bringing the occasional game to Adelaide anymore. It’s something that probably knocks the dream on its head.
The other problem I alluded to earlier, is the Adelaide city council and state government. Locals and expats like me know, anything that changes the status-quo, is unlikely to be seen favourably.
The Adelaide parklands are beautiful. And for the couple of hundred people that walk their dogs and exercise there, it will be kept that way. It would mean the stadium might only get approval in Hindmarsh if the old one gets knocked down, or more likely, that it would be situated outside the CBD.
Somehow I don’t think the tourism dollars will extend to a multi-million dollar stadium based in Elizabeth.
But, the great thing about writing for The Roar, is the ability to start with an idea and promote discussion. Adelaide will keep chugging along with Hindmarsh until the place falls over and will then slap a coat of paint on it.
Yet for a second Adelaide A-League team and marquee events, South Australia needs a world-class rectangular stadium.
enonomus
Guest
you south Australians stuffed up you should have built a new multi purpose stadium with bump in seats and a minor upgrade to adelaide oval it would have retained more history the current upgrade is interesting but not anything to write home about the marg simpson hospital could have been built somewhere else perhaps or the old stadium could have been built where the old hospital was if there is room they had the money the government says they didnt have recently i read somewhere the sa government is building something i cant quite remember thats worth billions and they say they didnt have the money it would have paid itself anyway from the sale of the land at west lakes and they could have borrowed from the federal government and the other states decades of ticket sales could have paid it off maby a common whealth games in adelaide would help that event seems to be coming alot to australia only the eastern states ever host it or anything.
Ken
Guest
I went to the Wanderers vs CCM game on the weekend and this time brought the kids along. To purchase their tickets, I went to ticketmaster and searched through my bay. Only two tickets were available for the entire bay, the majority of the rest probably taken by members. On the night I was shocked to see that the bay was only half full. This gives you some idea as to how many members don't turn up. It's absolutely ridiculous to think how much money is being wasted. I mean, how much disposable income do these people have? For goodness sake, we're from Western Sydney, not East Sydney.
The Word
Guest
They got 33 odd thousand to Victory game at AO so perhaps 48,000 is pushing it! I suspect there is a good chance this guy was trolling but there does seem to be a significant component of the soccer community that thinks that 50,000 seat rectangular stadiums should be built for them in every city across the country
Hammerhead
Guest
The Southern Stand at NIB Stadium also needs to be made bigger and a roof placed over it.
Martyn
Guest
Why a roof? To keep out the rain? No rain to speak of in Adelaide in the summer.
asanchez
Roar Guru
Wayne, A decent read and a through the provoking article. For me, an outsider who has a basic idea of the geography of the Adelaide CBD and its surrounds, there are 2 clear choices. The first would be to update Coopers Stadium, which is a cracking venue for football, probably the best in the country, but it's not in a great location and transport links are ok, but could be better. I'm thinking with about $100m they could upgrade the stadium to 20-25k capacity, upgrade and increase all the amenities, and put a roof to cover over 50-75% of the ground. The other possibility would be to build a brand new football (rectangular stadium) ground closer to the Adelaide CBD. I'm not an expert, but have read in an article that there is a vacant block of land, either next to or close to Adelaide Oval. A new build would cost approx $300m, for a capacity of 30,000. I think this is enough for Adelaide at least for the next 20-30 years. A second club from Adelaide would also benefit from this, also the Socceroos as well as the 2 rugby codes, concerts, and other events. For me they're the 2 best options. Now the club and the SA football community and sponsors need to get behind it, and lobby the government hard for it to at least be given a chance to get off the ground.
Perry Bridge
Guest
#Beny Absolutely agree. If it wasn't put forward as satire then it shows a desperate lacking of real world wisdom.
Bananaman
Guest
wow way to miss my point Marc! I honestly don't care what sport it is or when or where it was built my point is if you want a playing surface that only suits your own code then build it yourself which I have made very obvious in every post. The only reason I mentioned Suncorp was because it was mentioned above and wether it was built for the broncos or not it now has three codes playing on it!!! What you're asking for is ludicrous with four football codes in Aus unless the code is willing to reach into their own pockets to pay for it!
Mister Football
Roar Guru
This man speaks truth.
Mister Football
Roar Guru
An astute observation, it goes from the sublime to the ridiculous.
Marc
Guest
Bananaman The Suncorp re-development started in 2001, long before the Roar even existed. It was re-developed purely for rugby league. Comprende? Your argument is BS.
Bananaman
Guest
Suncorp is a multi sport stadium! If the broncos wanted its very own playing surface I'd be saying exactly the same thing build and pay for it yourself.
Waz
Guest
This is a site for people's opinions. That's all.
Waz
Guest
Beny, Roar pay to rent Suncorp every game. There's no subsidy so what you're "pretty sure" on is BS lol.
Freddie
Guest
Stadium capacity is 16,500
Beny Iniesta
Guest
Pretty sure Suncorp is where the Roar play, and they are in fact subsidised to play there to some extent as they so rarely turn a profit from their games there.
Beny Iniesta
Guest
This isn't a serious article is it? A 48,000 seat rectangular stadium in Adelaide? Who is going to pay for this? Increase taxation on stellar South Australian companies like Arrium? Holden? What teams are going to play there regularly? I presume Adelaide United - and that's it. They could fill it precisely once a year I'd suggest. Against the Victory. South Australian economy's going great guns though - so go right ahead. This article is some kind of joke/troll or something though isn't it?
MJ
Guest
Also didn't help that the Crows went back to back, or the establishment were looking for easy kills to help rationalize the comp.
Marc
Guest
Exactly!! Just like the redevelopment of Suncorp Stadium and all those $'s stumped up by the Broncos, the QRL and BRL ...
Waz
Guest
Stadium capacity = 20k Average attendance = 14k The suggestion there are 6k members who don't turn up every game is ludicrous