ANZ Stadium faces tough competition
Proposed plans to extend the capacity of Sydney Football Stadium to accommodate 60,000 spectators would draw games away from the ANZ Stadium at Homebush, according to a rugby union executive.
Sydney Morning Herald - 30th Jun 2010 - ROY MASTERS SHOW ME THE MONEY
Proposed plans to extend the capacity of Sydney Football Stadium to accommodate 60,000 spectators would draw games away from the ANZ Stadium at Homebush, according to a rugby union executive.
Rugby union, which has basically abandoned Moore Park for its big matches, has experienced a fall in all non-Bledisloe Cup matches at Homebush since 2000.
The recent Wallabies versus England match crowd of 48,392 was down 22 per cent on the 2006 clash (62,124), the fourth-lowest Test crowd recorded at Homebush.
The Australian Rugby Union's deputy chief executive, Matt Carroll, attributed some of the blame to England's recent pattern of sending sub-standard teams, plus coverage of soccer's World Cup, but admitted he had budgeted for a crowd of 50,000 for a game that should have pulled 60,000.
Mr Carroll said, "Used to full capacity, ANZ is a magnificent venue, but for crowds between 40,000 and 50,000, it's not so good.
"If the SFS went to 55,000 to 60,000 capacity, it would be hot competition for ANZ Stadium."
Sports bosses have been shown plans where the end zones of the SFS could be expanded to accommodate extra spectators, but they question whether areas behind the goalposts are where fans would want to be.
A spokesman for the trust that operates the SFS and Sydney Cricket Ground said, "The SFS master plan allows for expansion to a capacity of about 55,000 to 60,000.
"It is subject to funding and would involve continuing the level-one deck around to connect to the eastern and western stands, providing a continuous upper bowl. There would be a review of corporate hospitality facilities."
However, NSW government
legislation would need to change for the SFS to expand, according to a 1996 agreement which prevents any stadium in the Sydney basin from exceeding a capacity of 48,000.
When Stadium Australia - now ANZ Stadium - was built, investors were protected by a 35-year agreement prohibiting any stadium exceeding this capacity, while also preventing the SFS and SCG from substantially increasing their corporate-hospitality facilities.
Corporate facilities are a major factor in drawing the business dollar; on-site dining at the SFS is half the capacity of ANZ Stadium. ANZ Stadium's 800-person dining room on its eastern side is a big source of revenue for the ARU, given the code's attachment to the big end of town via its private-school ethos.
Even the NRL, with its working-class support, estimates corporate income at Homebush from State of Origin and grand finals to club games varies between eight and four times the yield from the spectator who merely buys a seat - not surprising given corporate tickets are priced between $600 and $1200, and seats vary from $50 to $130.
Mr Carroll admitted the ARU sold all its expensive seats for the England Test, but the configuration of the stadium, built for the Opening Ceremony of the 2000 Olympic Games, does not compare for viewing with the SFS's purpose-built rectangle.
One official said, "You wine and dine your corporate customer at ANZ and then show them their seat and the first thing they say is: 'We're a long way from the ground.' "
Falling crowds for Wallabies tests indicate the rugby union customer prefers a good view over a sated appetite, or does not like the westward journey from his traditional home in Sydney's north and east.
Attendance at matches involving South Africa are down 34 per cent; France is down 33 per cent and Wales is down 36 per cent.
Similarly, average attendance at Swans matches at ANZ Stadium spiked at 63,392 in 2007 but last year's four games averaged 36,872.
Of the past 11 games the Swans have played at Homebush, only one would not fit inside the SCG's 46,000 capacity.
Similarly, the NRL expect a crowd of 60,000 at next Wednesday's State of Origin dead rubber, the same number that could be accommodated if the SFS were expanded past its current 45,500 capacity. But ANZ Stadium could still hold off its competition, as a spokesperson explained: "When it comes to attendances, ANZ Stadium has the capacity to allow big events to grow bigger and that's a key factor in our relationship with event partners."
