Calls to shrink Allianz Stadium
A push to have the capacity of Sydney’s Allianz Stadium reduced below 40,000 as part of major rebuild appears doomed.
It is understood the National Rugby League is among the codes which would not oppose a reduction in the ground’s capacity given the success the sport has enjoyed with AAMI Park in Melbourne, where the Storm have found a home.
But the plan appears likely to fall short on several fronts, the most notable that rival sports aren’t as convinced by the concept.
Sydney FC soccer club is the only tenant at the ground whose crowds are growing and it is unlikely to back a reduction in capacity given it hosts at least one game against bitter rival Western Sydney Wanderers each year. It is understood the Australian Rugby Union would also prefer the capacity of the ground to remain at least 40,000.
The ground’s major tenants had a meeting last week where it was agreed that they should form a united front on the future of Allianz Stadium.
The NRL has been pushing the NSW government to devote the lion’s share of their $1.6 billion commitment for stadium redevelopment to ANZ Stadium at Homebush Bay. They would also like to see Allianz Stadium upgraded, although not if it means the redevelopment of ANZ Stadium suffers. NRL chief executive Todd Greenberg communicated his code’s view during a recent meeting with NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian.
The state government is weighing up its options with regard to its stadiums strategy but crowds on the opening weekend of the finals highlighted why the NRL’s preference is to have Allianz Stadium modelled on the likes of AAMI Park.
Fewer than 20,000 people attended each of Saturday night’s and Sunday’s elimination finals between Manly and Penrith, and Cronulla and North Queensland. “I was a little disappointed in some of the crowds but I am very enthusiastic about the crowds to come in weeks two and three,” Mr Greenberg said yesterday.
“I would expect Parramatta fans this weekend at ANZ Stadium to come out in force to see their team play in a home final for the first time since, I think, 2009.
“I also expect a significant number in Brisbane to watch the Broncos and Panthers.”
Mr Greenberg also indicated he was reluctant to change the code’s stadium strategy, which dictates teams must play home finals at major venues.
“The policy gets set on an annual basis,” he said.
“We have spoken about this for a number of years.
“My simple view is that we should be talking the sport up, we should be finding ways to get more people to the games rather than finding excuses for them not to come.
“I have said this for a number of months, I will say it again. Sydney average crowds have not changed for the best part of two decades.
“That won’t change until we make a different decision on Stadium. We won’t change the difficulties we face on crowds in Sydney until we have a different stadium strategy.”
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/spo...m/news-story/1b602699a95f60b5da7812e4999c240e
