We in Sydney are in the midst of a stadium crisis.
At the beginning of this year we had the SFS (or Allianz Stadium) with a capacity of 46,000. We had no stadium in Parramatta.
We now have no SFS – only a space that looks like ancient ruins in Greece – but we do have the BankWest Stadium, which is new and has a capacity of 30,000 spectators. On all reports, everyone loves this new stadium, which has great sight lines and is totally rectangular. That keeps everyone happy, except the AFL people.
The Sydney Swans have the iconic SCG and the Giants have a nearby oval stadium at Homebush, but their crowds are so small that they would pack out any suburban cricket ground.
The whole question of whether Sydney needs another SFS where the original Sydney Sports Ground originally stood was hot news before the last state election and some commentators say that the disastrous show by Labor at that election was partly caused their leader’s clumsy politicking and his vehement opposition to the rebuilding.
It is clear that we do need another rectangular stadium in Sydney and the site at Moore Park will eventually be well serviced by light rail, which should be ready to rumble before the messiah arrives.
(Image: Facebook/Allianz Stadium)
My question is why the 46,000 capacity? This figure would be reached no more than three or four times per year and a smaller leaner facility would to some extent keep the locals happier.
With the average NRL, football and Super Rugby crowds well under 30,000, nobody would suffer.
But the best reason is that it would be cheaper to build and we can spend the balance on schools, hospitals and even more importantly Vivid lights or New Year’s Eve fireworks.
The redevelopment of ANZ Stadium into rectangular mode should have a capacity of 60,000, which would make it more economic. This would be cheaper, more useful and hopefully not take an age to build.
I hope that common sense will prevail but I am fearful that the ‘bigger is better’ policy will be forced upon us.
Muzz
Guest
47000 liters of water were used last week to keep the dust under control. So much for water restrictions.
Footy Fan
Guest
"This figure would be reached no more than three or four times per year" Counting some sell-outs isn't too hard: 1.Anzac day, 2.Easts v Souths, 3.Week 1 of NRL finals, 4&5.Week 2 of finals 6.Week 3 of finals, 7.An end of year RL test match, 8.A Super Rugby final, 9&10.Two (lesser) rugby tests, 11.The NSL derby, 12&13.Two NSL finals, 14-16.Three (lesser) soccer internationals. 17.A women's State of origin match. 18&19.A couple of 'one-offs' such as international teams, or world 7s, or world club challenge, or Tonga v Samoa, 20-23.Four rock concerts. Also, if there's any sense, South's should make it their home ground - in which case, add another 4 games. Definitely much more than 3 or 4. I've been conservative, there. When the SFS was in full-swing a decade back, there were 2 or 3 games a week, 30-35 sellouts and concerts like U2, Pearl Jam, Foo Fighters, Taylor Swift, Ed Sheeran, George Michael, Michael Buble and Barbra Streissand. An example of the regular non-sellout games would be 20 NRL games, 10 rugby games, 10 soccer games, 5-10 internationals across codes. So maybe ask the opposite question to yours: why wouldn't it sell 2 million tickets per year?
Tom G
Roar Rookie
All I said was why doze the 80k stadium we already have? Nowhere have I suggested lessening it’s capacity.
Nick
Roar Guru
Yeah, you're missing something. We are confused. Some are wanting it replaced with a smaller 60k stadium.
Tom G
Roar Rookie
Yes and there is an 80,000 seat stadium in Sydney already.. it’s called ANZ you know the one they’re going to knock down because it’s 20 years old.. or am I missing something here? Did someone steal it?
Nick
Roar Guru
You've got it all wrong. There is a place for an 80k stadium. It would be silly to get rid of it. What is going on at Moore Park however is absolutely insane.
Timmypig
Roar Rookie
Ad-O yep I agree - almost zero chance of Australia ever hosting the WC. Just wondering whether there was ever any official consideration of that requirement.
Nick Symonds
Guest
Robina Stadium on the Gold Coast cost just $160 million when it was built in 2008 which works out to just under $200 million in today's money. Then there's AAMI Park in Melbourne which would cost about the same amount as the new Western Sydney Stadium. Any of these would be suitable for Moore Park.
Nick Symonds
Guest
There was a proposal to build a stadium over the railyards not long ago: - https://www.realcommercial.com.au/news/bold-plan-for-sport-stadium-above-sydneys-central-station https://www.abc.net.au/radio/sydney/programs/breakfast/phillip-vivian-central-stadium/10236034
Tom G
Roar Rookie
Our mates at the NRL ignore overseas trends entirely
Tom G
Roar Rookie
Totally agree that the suburban grounds deserve investment to modernise but I don’t think it needs to be silly money that the total demolition of SCG and ANZ are seeing. Brookvale needs 2 stands added and a refurb to existing assets. It’s a long time since I was at Leichhardt but can’t imagine a kings ransom is required there either
Tom G
Roar Rookie
So let me get this right... for the one or two events you cite neither of which are NRL events, we have to commit the game to a bizarre stadia policy that doesn’t work week in week out? By the way the only stadium capable of handling 95k in Melbourne is the MCG and it’s an oval
GoGWS
Roar Guru
Agree. Giants stadium is a great little stadium - easy access, half decent food (especially for a sports stadium), nice close-up view.. safe to take the kids etc. I much prefer games at Homebush than the bigger SCG. I think smaller can be better. And for the Giants, they’ll be just fine in that stadium for a while with good atmosphere at crowds levels of 10-20K... for the Giants a smaller stadium works better.
Nick
Roar Guru
Football exhibition matches for one. Liverpool v Melbourne Victory in front of 95,000 is going to be a bigger money spinner than Liverpool v Sydney FC in front of 60k.
farkurnell
Roar Rookie
“Your Dreaming “ that’s what my wife keeps saying.Just like the Sharks making the GF.
Bondi Hawk
Roar Rookie
I wonder if they thought of building 40K stadium at Prince Alfred Park right next to Central. Would solve all the train bus issues etc from the rest of Sydney. Encourage everyone to come there, revitalise the area and stop the SCG Trust from running everything.
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
Well, that's the stuff of dreams. But surely a stadium could be a bit more spacious in movement and seating without losing too much. If you consider you're unlikely to absoluetely fill it anyway you could afford to tweak the space.
farkurnell
Roar Rookie
DP ..it would be nice to have lounge chairs like they do at the cinema,and somewhere to put your $10 beer (that you lost $3 worth trying to get it back to your seat)
Big Daddy
Guest
If we are going to have smaller stadiums let them be modern day quality with seating for every fan. Outside the major 2 the suburban grounds haven't moved with the required amenities and facilities of a fan for the 21st century. If you look at the current crop Gosford is ideal. The trouble with the bigger facilities is they meet the requirements but if we go by the NRL stats of 16k most of the time they look empty. If we get 10k these days we think we are having a good day. The NRL average compared to the Sydney average is different because the figures are propped up by Brisbane and Newcastle. The NRL want the ANZ/Allianz/ Bankwest model because the have got into bed with state government who are loathe to spend money on grounds like Brookvale and Leichhardt.
At work
Roar Rookie
:thumbup: