The Daily Telegraph is running an article (paywalled, not sure if anyone can access?) about a big week of sport coming up in Sydney.
Part of the article on Google indicates a crowd of 40,000 is expected on the Kings Birthday public holiday for Bulldogs vs Eels.
More than 80,000 fans are expected at both the Matildas' match and the State of Origin with another 40,000 heading to Homebush next Monday to watch the King's Birthday...
Can anyone access the full article?
More than 300,000 fans to attend four sellout footy matches in Sydney this week
The Matildas will run onto the pitch at Accor Stadium on Monday night to face China in front of a sellout crowd to kick off a bumper week of sport in NSW.
The festival of footy continues with the State of Origin at Accor Stadium on Wednesday, the Women’s State of Origin in Newcastle and the Swans facing Geelong at The Sydney Cricket Ground on Sunday.
Venues NSW chief executive Kerrie Mather said the sporting fiesta would pump more than $30 million into the NSW economy as fans jet in for the big matches.
“We can’t wait for the biggest week in New South Wales since Taylor Swift mania gripped the state,” she said.
More than 80,000 fans are expected at both the Matildas’ match and the State of Origin with another 40,000 heading to Homebush next Monday to watch the King’s Birthday Bulldogs v Eels game.
"Records will be broken across four sold out events with up to 300,000 fans expected to attend our venues to watch the world’s best athletes,” Ms Mather said.
The Women’s State of Origin on Tuesday night at McDonald Jones stadium is expected to attract a record breaking 28,000 fans. On Sunday the Swans host Geelong at the SCG in a rematch of the 2022 Grand Final which is expected to attract a record breaking crowd of more than 45,000 people.
Topping off the goal kicking gala on Friday the Dragons meet the Wests Tigers at WIN stadium.
“There will be no better place to be this week than at a live sporting event,” Ms Mather said.
Matilda’s vice-captain Steph Catley said the players were still getting used to their popularity which has seen them play to sellout crowds at Accor Stadium three times in less than a year.
“We love playing in Sydney, we love playing at Accor (Stadium),” she said. “The stadium itself holds some incredible memories for us from the World Cup.”
While they’ll be full of people in green and gold on Monday, local pubs and clubs are painting the town blue ahead of Origin match one.
ClubsNSW CEO Rebecca Riant said hundreds of pubs and clubs across NSW had special things planned for Wednesday, including Bankstown Sports Club cooking up blue burgers and themed hot dogs at Dapto Leagues Club.
“Clubs across the state will be welcoming patrons through their doors next Wednesday night to proudly cheer on the NSW Blues players – many of whom they helped to get to where they are today,” Ms Riant said.
At St Marys Rugby League Club, staff have taken it to the next level by decking out their bar completely in blue.
“We have a mix of patrons that follow both NSW and Queensland and everyone gets right into the atmosphere – they’re in their gear, they are cheering on their favourite players and they’re also enjoying the facilities clubs have to offer,” Giulia Barron, St Marys Rugby League Club marketing manager said.
“This will be an absolute ripper of a week of sport for NSW” said NSW Night-Time Economy Minister John Graham.
“From the Matildas’ match to the highly anticipated Men’s State of Origin, and the sold-out Women’s State of Origin in Newcastle, sports fans will be packing our stadiums and witnessing history in the making. This bumper week of events will provide a huge economic boost for the state, with the Men’s and Women’s State of Origin alone generating $16.2m in visitor spending” Mr Graham said.
