Rugby League fans in New South Wales will secure the world-class facilities they deserve under the new stadium program unveiled by the NSW Government today.
NRL CEO Todd Greenberg said the decision to build new stadia at Sydney Olympic Park and Moore Park – in addition to the new Western Sydney stadium at Parramatta - is the breakthrough the game needs to draw more people to matches.
“Our fans will now have access to three world-class stadia where they can watch anything from Telstra Premiership games through to State of Origin and Grand Finals,” he said.
“Those games will be held in rectangular venues, purpose built for Rugby League with fans able to sit closer to the action than ever before.
“It’s a great result for our clubs, for our fans and for the game.”
ANZ Stadium will be transformed in to one of the world’s great rectangular stadiums as part of a significant investment in sporting and entertainment facilities in this State, the NSW Premier announced today.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said that works will begin on a new 75,000-seat rectangular stadium in 2019, with the aim that Sydney will have a new major events rectangular Stadium at Sydney Olympic Park by 2022.
Ms Berejiklian said the investment in stadiums would ensure NSW remains the No.1 destination for major sporting and entertainment events well into the future.
The Premier announced today:
- A new 45,000-seat stadium to replace Allianz Stadium at Moore Park, with construction to start in 2018 and open in 2021 (estimated cost $705 million, subject to tendering process).
- A new 75,000-seat rectangular stadium to replace ANZ Stadium at Sydney Olympic Park, with construction to start in 2019 and open in 2022 (estimated cost $1.25 billion, subject to tendering process).
“Fans will be closer to the action than ever before, with steep seating creating a colosseum-inspired wall of sound and colour, enhanced with the world’s most advanced technology,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“This investment means we can compete on the world stage for events such as the FIFA Women’s World Cup, the Rugby World Cup, and keep Sydney as the number one sporting destination.
“This is an investment into our vital tourism industry, which is worth $33.2 billion per year to the NSW economy and supports 164,000 jobs.”
ANZ and Allianz currently attract a combined 3.5 million visitors per year and contribute more than $1 billion into the economy every year.
Over the period ANZ and Allianz are being rebuilt, the NSW Government will invest around $200 billion on health and education.
Sport Minister Stuart Ayres said: “We can also announce the NSW Government has secured NRL Grand Finals games for the next 25 years.
“The SCG will host one Grand Final in 2020 during the construction phase, and we have organised sequencing so that all other Grand Finals will be played at Allianz (2021 and 2022) and ANZ (2023 to 2044),” Mr Ayres said.
The NRL has signed a new Memorandum of Understanding with the NSW Government pledging to keep the Grand Final in Sydney as long as the timeline for construction of the new stadia is met.
The 2018 ANZ Stadium Calendar of Events will be headlined by the Rabbitohs in two double-header clashes before the season starts and in Round 3. This will lead into the traditional Good Friday clash involving the Rabbitohs and Bulldogs.
Today’s confirmation of the full redevelopment of ANZ Stadium supports the NSW Government’s commitment to other major infrastructure projects in Western Sydney.
It follows the announcement on 18 October by Premier Berejiklian and Transport & Infrastructure Minister Andrew Constance that a Stage 2 extension of the Western Sydney Light Rail project will connect Sydney Olympic Park with Parramatta.
The future ANZ Stadium event experience will be further improved by proposals in the Sydney Olympic Park Master Plan 2030, and strategic infrastructure projects including WestConnex, Sydney Metro West, Parramatta Light Rail Phase 2, and improvements to the existing heavy rail network.
Venues NSW Chairman Christine McLoughlin and ANZ Stadium CEO Daryl Kerry today congratulated the NSW Government on its commitment to deliver world-class sporting and entertainment infrastructure in NSW.
Mr Kerry, said: “The NSW Government must be congratulated on delivering an exceptional outcome on major event infrastructure in this State. The Government’s investment will deliver an outstanding network of major stadiums for NSW.
“Confirmation of a new 75,000-seat rectangular stadium to replace ANZ Stadium at Sydney Olympic Park is fantastic news for everyone who appreciates sport and entertainment, the sporting codes and clubs and entertainment promoters that use the Stadium, and our valued Stadium Members.
“The Government has committed to a world-class Stadium for the future in the geographical heart of the city, where Australians and visitors from across the globe can come together in celebration of excellence in sport and entertainment.
“We look forward to working with Government to bring the new Stadium to life and for this project to be an engine for future growth in the Sydney Olympic Park precinct and throughout Greater Sydney.”
