If you all remember the 2000 Olympics, than hopefully you'll remember this stadium
* This post is practically a praise post for my Favourite stadium, ever.
Before it's reconstruction in 2002 it could fit 110,000 Seating and another 5,000 Standing. Now its only a measle 82,500. Dam AFL sucks, it ruined it.
Now dont get me wrong, I love all stadiums whether small or tall.

It Holds several records-
Largest attendance for a Rugby Union match in the world- 115,000(Bledisloe Cup-Australia vs New Zealand)
Largest attendance for a Rugby league match in the world- 112,363(NRL Grand Final 1999)
( i think Largest Attendance for an Olympic event-115,000)

I dont know if it's true, but it also possibly holds the record for largest Attendance outside the USA for an NFL match.

Heres some pics:

Before the reconstruction (Olympics):

http://img150.imageshack.us/img150/768/mouseover11ef5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img150.imageshack.us/img150/5449/telstrauz9.png (http://imageshack.us)

After Construction( NRL Grand Finals):


http://img83.imageshack.us/img83/3523/rwc20telstra20stadiumvk7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)


http://img83.imageshack.us/img83/4994/pict1342ih7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img83.imageshack.us/img83/7980/telstrastadium2004cu1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

I think this thread has been done a few times over.
Atleast post us new pics.

Im only new to the forum, so i wouldnt reall know, im going to get some more.

If you all remember the 2000 Olympics, than hopefully you'll remember this stadium
* This post is practically a praise post for my Favourite stadium, ever.
Before it's reconstruction in 2002 it could fit 110,000 Seating and another 5,000 Standing. Now its only a measle 82,500. Dam AFL sucks, it ruined it.
Now dont get me wrong, I love all stadiums whether small or tall.


Yeah AFL does suck, it ruined the ends. Although I really dont like how the ends only have one tier anyway, I sat back row at the end for last years wallabies-boks test and the seats were worse than in the same spot at the Dome.
But as for taking the capacity down, it was the only sensible thing to do, Sydney has no need for a 115,000 seater, considering that NRL avg attendence is less than 20k, and the State of Origin match didnt even sell out 83k this year.


It Holds several records-
...
...
( i think Largest Attendance for an Olympic event-115,000)



Nope. Not even the largest for an Australian Olympics. For the Melbourne 1956 games The MCG had crowds of just under 130,000. Now whether that was a world record or not I do not know, but it was certainly more than Sydney.

Im only new to the forum, so i wouldnt reall know, im going to get some more.
Thats fine mate. ;)

@victory:
Sydney holds the record because it was 110k all seater.

If they were getting the crowds to fill it regularly, it does beg the question why it was felt necessary to implement the reductions planned to take place after the Olympics.

Sure, I can see it makes sense to have the plan to reduce it to avoid under-use - but not if it can be proved that the original 115k capacity could be sustained.

I can see they've done more than just remove the end tiers, though. The pitch area appears to be smaller, implying that 'digging down' has taken place. I'm sure there's an issue there of proximity of the front rows behind that - although that would have added seating capacity.

Ultimately, it could be an issue of spectator quantity v viewing quality. Being British, I'd also suspect planning regulations may have played a part, although I'm sure Aussie planning constraints would be nowehere near as obsessive as ours.

Unfortunately, I've never been. Has anyone else who has been there (in both guises) got a preference for the place, before or after reduction?

']Thats fine mate. ;)

@victory:
Sydney holds the record because it was 110k all seater.

I don't see how that makes a difference.

A person standing is just as much a spectator as a person sitting, and they are still paying attendees. Especially when the figures are 44 years apart so in '56 large masses of the standing were the norm.

Sydney has no need for a 115,000 seater, considering that NRL avg attendence is less than 20k, and the State of Origin match didnt even sell out 83k this year.

Actually the stadium can only hold 82,500. The state of origin sold out, and not only that i coulndnt get a seat to it, so i had to watch it from home. They apparentely squeezed the other 1,000 people some how.

There's too much competition in Sydney, when Sydney Swans won the AFL final last year, AFL boosted up. Also soccer has gone big in Sydney.

2005 Grand final Just came short to selling out because it wasnt an all Sydney Grand final, but what it looks like this year, it wont sell out either as Melbourne will almost definetely make the grand final.

Rumors are going around that WWE's Wrestlemania 25 might be held at Telstra Stadium, it might be a load of bullshit, but who know's i think it's possible.

Anyway back to topic, i have some more pics.

http://img217.imageshack.us/img217/2783/footie20at20telstra20stadiumua7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img217.imageshack.us/img217/9872/964d504a5f2c7ecee2fe8892f76c2f179df59703df8dc5f3e7db0bq1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img146.imageshack.us/img146/6797/telstraalg2.png (http://imageshack.us)

I don't see how that makes a difference.

A person standing is just as much a spectator as a person sitting, and they are still paying attendees. Especially when the figures are 44 years apart so in '56 large masses of the standing were the norm.
Mate, It wasnt opinion. ;)
Thats the way they record it I guess...

I dont work for the IOC, so I guess I cant say much but logically thats what I thought.

Afl ruined the stadium is my point, i think all they needed to do was keep the large ends, but still bring them in for the smaller rugby league fields, instead of those crappy Afl ones.

EDIT: ive been to the stadium over 30 times, before the reconstruction and after, i had no real problem with the viewing quality, i was at the Olympics sitting on the top Tier in the middle, it was an almost perfect seat. Ive been to Rugby league Grand finals sitting in General admission and the seats were good.

http://img217.imageshack.us/img217/2783/footie20at20telstra20stadiumua7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)



http://img146.imageshack.us/img146/6797/telstraalg2.png (http://imageshack.us)

How come the one end of the stadium has 2 tiers & the other have just the one?

http://img213.imageshack.us/img213/3504/117105166408d185a8fbbq4.jpg

http://img213.imageshack.us/img213/1165/192386463712ff37b66biw2.jpg

http://img122.imageshack.us/img122/2237/86837789lqzpefphee7.jpg

http://img213.imageshack.us/img213/5070/olympicstadium1hg2.jpg

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/ed/Panorama-TelstraStadium-Oct2005.jpg

This stadium just drools with quality.

Actually the stadium can only hold 82,500. The state of origin sold out, and not only that i coulndnt get a seat to it, so i had to watch it from home. They apparentely squeezed the other 1,000 people some how.

Nope, they only got 72,773 to an 83,000 seater. And that was for the only origin game in Sydney this year. And they only had 1 SOO game last year, and will only have 1 next year.


http://www.austadiums.com/sport/event.php?eventid=4828

not my favourite staduim...a compromised effort where all sports try to be catered for.At pitch level,you need binoculars to see the other side of the ground.No matter what the sport,it seems the action is too far away to really enjoy.The ends are a kop out,the one end witht the second tier an afterthought.Think Sydney was desperate to try and match the MCG,but failed

If they were getting the crowds to fill it regularly, it does beg the question why it was felt necessary to implement the reductions planned to take place after the Olympics.

Sure, I can see it makes sense to have the plan to reduce it to avoid under-use - but not if it can be proved that the original 115k capacity could be sustained.

I can see they've done more than just remove the end tiers, though. The pitch area appears to be smaller, implying that 'digging down' has taken place. I'm sure there's an issue there of proximity of the front rows behind that - although that would have added seating capacity.

Ultimately, it could be an issue of spectator quantity v viewing quality. Being British, I'd also suspect planning regulations may have played a part, although I'm sure Aussie planning constraints would be nowehere near as obsessive as ours.

Unfortunately, I've never been. Has anyone else who has been there (in both guises) got a preference for the place, before or after reduction?

1. Make the grounds bigger to allow cricket/AFL games to be played.
2. Quickly convert cricket field into rugby field in a few hours. Retractable section.
3. To cover up 90% of the seats from rain.
4. Allow greater atmosphere by insulating sound.
5. Reconfigure the front seats to make it closer to action.
6. Reduce wind interferance in games.
7. Collecting more water for recycling purposes. Toilets, irrigation, etc.

Think Sydney was desperate to try and match the MCG,but failed

It is not about matching MCG. Sydney's SCG does just fine. Telstra Stadium has a location proximity advantage compared to SCG. It is smack bang in the middle of Sydney metro and with its own train station. For SCG you gotta drive or catch a bus along Anzac Parade. It also holds concerts. I remember that this was used for FM101.7 Rock festival twice drawing like 60,000 people.

It interconnects with other facilities in Sydney Olympic Park. Presenters can stay at Novetel and quickly be whisked to the stadium. Also, it can be linked with other venues for multi-purpose events. Flexibility.

The action is not as far as you may think from end seats.

It is not about matching MCG. Sydney's SCG does just fine. Telstra Stadium has a location proximity advantage compared to SCG. It is smack bang in the middle of Sydney metro and with its own train station. For SCG you gotta drive or catch a bus along Anzac Parade. It also holds concerts. I remember that this was used for FM101.7 Rock festival twice drawing like 60,000 people.

It interconnects with other facilities in Sydney Olympic Park. Presenters can stay at Novetel and quickly be whisked to the stadium. Also, it can be linked with other venues for multi-purpose events. Flexibility.

The action is not as far as you may think from end seats.



The SCG is easy to get to,and nearer to the centre of town than Telstra.it may have its own train station,but you can't get to it directly.You have to go to another station,get off,walk to another platform and wait for a little shuttle train to slowy wind its way to the Staduim.

Majority of the population live in Western Sydney. They don't live in Eastern suburbs or city.

There is a express/sprint train from Central to Olympic Park station on big games. Those trains come every 10min and depart from Sydney Terminal. It's like a rush hour. You can also catch trains from Lidcombe if you're from Western Sydney.

The SCG is easy to get to,and nearer to the centre of town than Telstra.it may have its own train station,but you can't get to it directly.You have to go to another station,get off,walk to another platform and wait for a little shuttle train to slowy wind its way to the Staduim.

Actually trains are direct to Sydney Olympic Park when large events are on.The Lidcombe shuttle train operates only when small or no events are on at SOP.

Lidcombe sprint train operates in Sydney Easter Show period. Central and Lidcombe feeds to Olympic Park station everyday. But Lidcombe train comes every 10min where as Central comes every 1hr on non-peak periods.

not my favourite staduim...a compromised effort where all sports try to be catered for.At pitch level,you need binoculars to see the other side of the ground.No matter what the sport,it seems the action is too far away to really enjoy.The ends are a kop out,the one end witht the second tier an afterthought.Think Sydney was desperate to try and match the MCG,but failed

If Sydney was THAT desperate,then they simply wouldve made the Olympic Stadium a permanent 110,000 seater and not spent $70Million renovating and downsizing the stadium to a user friendly 80,000.
As for the second tier,its was originally constructed for cricket media areas,as Telstra bidded for One Day Cricket.

If Sydney was THAT desperate,then they simply wouldve made the Olympic Stadium a permanent 110,000 seater and not spent $70Million renovating and downsizing the stadium to a user friendly 80,000.
As for the second tier,its was originally constructed for cricket media areas,as Telstra bidded for One Day Cricket.


when i compared it to the MCG,i meant in terms of a a large multi-use staduim.Up until then,Sydney lagged behind Melbourne.The renovation was as much about moving the stands closer to the field of play rather than downsizing.
according the the offical tour,the second tier was added as some money was left over after renovation

Lidcombe sprint train operates in Sydney Easter Show period. Central and Lidcombe feeds to Olympic Park station everyday. But Lidcombe train comes every 10min where as Central comes every 1hr on non-peak periods.


so,as i said,it doesnt have a direct rail link
when i worked at the old Sydney show ground,i got the train to Central station,and had a 15 minute walk to the SCG.Compare that with getting to Central,getting a train to Lidcombe,getting off,waiting for the sprint train

^^^^^^^^^^

Sydney is a public transport disaster zone in practically all ways.

But you gotta take the glass half full perspective, a lot more walking so there is less fat chicks in Sydney than Melbourne.

:cheers:

^^^^^^^^^^

Sydney is a public transport disaster zone in practically all ways.

But you gotta take the glass half full perspective, a lot more walking so there is less fat chicks in Sydney than Melbourne.

:cheers:
well,i did find getting around Melbourne a bit easier than Sydney(Melbourne seems more compact,plus the trams help)
i wasn't really having a go at Telstra because of its location,(though the MCG is bettre placed in relation to the city)
though the argument about where most Sydneysiders live doesn't mean much if people are coming from out of town(inter state or beyond)especailly for when the national side are playing
i just thouht they were trying to replace all the existing staduims with one big one that could host AFL/RUGBY/FOOTBALL/CRICKET,like the MCG.
The staduim has to pay its way,and i suppose the more sports they can get int here,the better.I think they may have been better off converting it to a proper rectangular staduim for rugby and football(soccer)and left AFL at the SCG,(with Cricket,where it belongs)and leave NRL games at Aussie staduim(except for big matches like Grand Finals)

^^^^^^^^^^

Sydney is a public transport disaster zone in practically all ways.

But you gotta take the glass half full perspective, a lot more walking so there is less fat chicks in Sydney than Melbourne.

:cheers:
lol...in south africa that disaster zone is called heaven...

How come the one end of the stadium has 2 tiers & the other have just the one?

Could someone please answer my blody question? :bash:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/ed/Panorama-TelstraStadium-Oct2005.jpg

Could someone please answer my blody question? :bash:

It's already been answered by ExSydney...

The second tier on one side is an after thought built because of money left over from the re-configuration. The other side has been intentionally left 'as is' due to the uncertainty of TS holding future ODI's. If the stadium is ever granted cricket games, that area will house the needed media facilities which will be located behind the wicket.


btw . . . TS design allows for a future retractable roof to be added.

they're only interested in one tier ATM. They can add the other later.

I really like this stadium! I like the roof and the seats. Oh and happy birthday to Giorgos!

The Stadium Australia design is dripping in superlatives.Perfect in just everyway.I really like the rennovations at the ends after 2000.

My only concern are the name changes.This year its called Telstra Stadium.In few years the name will change to Burger King stadium,then Nestle,after that Harvey Norman Stadium.When I retire it will be called Muffin Mania stadium.The list goes on.....

Its really silly all this name change.I cant keep track of what is played where.For me it will always be either the Sydney Olympic Stadium or Stadium Australia.The Telstra dome will always be the Docklands Stadium.Suncorp Stadium will always be Lang Park.

The Stadium Australia design is dripping in superlatives.Perfect in just everyway.I really like the rennovations at the ends after 2000.

My only concern are the name changes.This year its called Telstra Stadium.In few years the name will change to Burger King stadium,then Nestle,after that Harvey Norman Stadium.When I retire it will be called Muffin Mania stadium.The list goes on......

It really needed that renovation, didn't it? There is nothing worse than sitting in an uncovered seat. It also looks much better.

Iv always thought the removal of the end stands have stolen from its character...but thats just me.

I much prefered it with the stands...they made the stadium look alot better IMO.

When they took the tiers-everything went wrong, i dearly hope no one will buy the name after telstra so it can be changed back to stadium australia- in my opinion-its the best stadium in the world, and shouldnt be named after a corrupted company.

Can we have pics with the tiers? Thanks

When they took the tiers-everything went wrong, i dearly hope no one will buy the name after telstra so it can be changed back to stadium australia- in my opinion-its the best stadium in the world, and shouldnt be named after a corrupted company.



best stadium in the world????you need to get out more
can you give any reasons to back that claim up...if its just a personal opinion,fair enough..just curious to know why you think its so good
as i said,when i went there,i was a little disappointed

It was a personal opinion

I'v never seen it in person but from pics/video the main gripe I'd have with it is that post renovation it just doesnt have the "wow" factor I'd expect from a new stadium with an 80,000+ capacity(compaired to say The San Siro, Bernabeu, Nou Camp, Wembley, Da Luz, Invesco Field, MCG etc).

so,as i said,it doesnt have a direct rail link
when i worked at the old Sydney show ground,i got the train to Central station,and had a 15 minute walk to the SCG.Compare that with getting to Central,getting a train to Lidcombe,getting off,waiting for the sprint train

As I said,that would only happen if the event was of a small scale.Direct rail links to Sydney Olympic Park do happen for all major events.The Lidcombe sprint is only in operation at all other times.Trains from Central would pass thru Strathfield and direct to Olympic Park.
Olympic Park is a million times better than transport to the SCG.Obviously you never spent 2 hours getting out of the Moore Park carpark.

I'v never seen it in person but from pics/video the main gripe I'd have with it is that post renovation it just doesnt have the "wow" factor I'd expect from a new stadium with an 80,000+ capacity(compaired to say The San Siro, Bernabeu, Nou Camp, Wembley, Da Luz, Invesco Field, MCG etc).



it doesn' have a wow factor at all.Went on the official tour of there and the MCG,Melbourne won hands down

Give me Telstra Stadium over the MCG anyday....

MCG sucks...seriously, i dont care what anyone says, Telstra stadium looks better, and IS better.

Give me Telstra Stadium over the MCG anyday....


don't say that too loud in Melbourne will you

Telstra would have been good,if it wasn't for those poxy ends

don't say that too loud in Melbourne will you

Telstra would have been good,if it wasn't for those poxy ends

Haha was bout to say that.

MCG sucks...seriously, i dont care what anyone says, Telstra stadium looks better, and IS better.

Have you been to both?

Because I have, and Telstra doesn't even compare.

MCG sucks...seriously, i dont care what anyone says, Telstra stadium looks better, and IS better.
And cut.
This is where we see that you are an ignorant bastard.

The MCG is pure Magic...Telstra is quite generic to say the least.

Plus I have to agree...the ends look awful.

']And cut.
This is where we see that you are an ignorant bastard.

The MCG is pure Magic...Telstra is quite generic to say the least.

Plus I have to agree...the ends look awful.



well,i think we should put this to the vote
can somebody orgainise a Graham Poll... :)

You guys in Sydney are joking surely......
I love Telstra Stadium but it really doesn't compare to the MCG historically, capacity or design. You'd have to be a fool to not know that the MCG is clearly the best stadium in Australia. Has been for a 100 years and will be for another 100 years.

i dont really like the Look of Telstra Stadium, mainly because of the ugly ends

How come the one end of the stadium has 2 tiers & the other have just the one?
You know i have always wondered about that as well.

You know i have always wondered about that as well.




as isaid earleir...according to the old bint that took us on our tour of the staduim...they had some money left over from the renovation,they wasn't sure how to spend it,so they added that small second tier..but they only had the money to do the one end
i think the idea that it was built for the media in case of ODI cricket being held there soumds more plausable

I don't know where some of these record crowd figures came from but I can assure you that they're wrong. As of right now, the record crowds for events at Telstra Stadium / Stadium Australia are as follows -

Olympic Games Closing Ceremony - 114,714
Olympic Games (Athletics) - 112,524 (September 23, 2000)
Rugby Union - 109,874 (Australia v New Zealand - July 15, 2000)
Rugby League - 107,558 (Melbourne v St. George Illawarra - NRL Grand Final - September 26, 1999)
Olympic Games Football Final - 104,098 (Camaroon v Spain - September 30, 2000)
AFL - 72,393 (Sydney v Collingwood - August 23, 2003)

Telstra Stadium holds both the rugby league & rugby union world record crowds.
No AFL crowd outside of Victoria has been bigger than the record mentioned above.

as isaid earleir...according to the old bint that took us on our tour of the staduim...they had some money left over from the renovation,they wasn't sure how to spend it,so they added that small second tier..but they only had the money to do the one end
i think the idea that it was built for the media in case of ODI cricket being held there soumds more plausable
Ahh sorry, i must have missed your post about it. Cheers for that! They need to do the other end, it looks wrong without it.

No AFL crowd outside of Victoria has been bigger than the record mentioned above.

I'd say that's the case because Telstra Stadium is the largest AFL venue outside Victoria. :)

']Can we have pics with the tiers? Thanks

http://pro.corbis.com/images/0000358522-043.jpg?size=67&uid={9a59998c-00eb-45f5-82c4-7b6ba9c0ad3e}

http://pro.corbis.com/images/AX014006.jpg?size=67&uid={9053d54e-35a5-450c-935e-987f2a243a5b}

just a request for all pictures you may have of the stadium as it was for the Olympics, when both ends were huge and the capacity was 110,000 (if I'm incorrect then please correct me)

back then it was perhaps my favourite stadium design, nowadays it's still a great looking venue, but doesn't have that awe-inspiring hugeness anymore I don't think.

all replies will be very much appreciated

Here you go:

http://img413.imageshack.us/img413/8728/sydneyaerialolympicstadfl4.jpg
http://img413.imageshack.us/img413/7351/stadium03og5.jpg
http://img413.imageshack.us/img413/3673/17ga6.jpg
http://img413.imageshack.us/img413/2594/stadium02ek6.jpg
http://img413.imageshack.us/img413/6075/olympic003wc4.jpg
http://img413.imageshack.us/img413/6060/olympic006sv3.jpg
http://www.eco.utexas.edu/~donald/Homebush.jpg

GOOGLE.COM/IMAGES...SEARCH "stadium australia" or "Telstra stadium"

I've done the Google search, could only find smallish pics, and they were mostly just the same overhead pic over and over

@GOB, thanks very much for those

Post Olympics.

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/24/55875706_c491e891bd_b.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/13/15320471_851e022f65_o.jpg

Anyone got pics of that Tri nations game played here before the olypics or was it after? where NZ smashed the wallabies sensless? there was like 3 try's in the first 5 minutes!

Anyone got pics of that Tri nations game played here before the olypics or was it after? where NZ smashed the wallabies sensless? there was like 3 try's in the first 5 minutes!

Smashed them? Not really. NZ led 24-nil after 5 or so minutes but we got back to 24-24 by half time. The AB's only just up winning on fulltime when Lomu ran over Gregan. That first half performance by the Wallabies was one of the best comebacks I've seen by them, and that's saying something.

Here's some more in Olympic mode:

**In Olympic mode it set world record attendances in Rugby League and Rugby Union matches (both just under 110,000) which iirc haven't been surpassed.**


http://img440.imageshack.us/img440/4752/stadium1ui0.jpg (http://www.imageshack.us)
http://img440.imageshack.us/img440/3014/mouseover11ef5xf4.jpg (http://www.imageshack.us)
http://img243.imageshack.us/img243/8806/0000358522043qa0.jpg (http://www.imageshack.us)
http://img243.imageshack.us/img243/274/ax014006xl3.jpg (http://www.imageshack.us)

A discarded plan to add a retractable roof.
http://img243.imageshack.us/img243/598/stozbq2.jpg (http://www.imageshack.us)

This is how it looks now.

The reasoning for not building a second tier on both ends is because the stadium makes more money with the advertising in its place. They've said it'll eventually have two tiers at each end but I'm not holding my breath waiting.

http://img243.imageshack.us/img243/9909/telstrastadium2004zq1.jpg (http://www.imageshack.us)
http://img243.imageshack.us/img243/9229/panoramatelstrastadiumowb7.jpg (http://www.imageshack.us)

2005 NRL Grand Final

http://img291.imageshack.us/img291/9417/pict1342ih7aq6.jpg (http://www.imageshack.us)

Australia vs Uruguay Soccer World Cup Qualifier
http://img243.imageshack.us/img243/8523/ausvsurucrowdpf8.jpg (http://www.imageshack.us)

Australia vs New Zealand Rugby Union test
http://img243.imageshack.us/img243/7237/rwc20telstra20stadiumvkhd7.jpg (http://www.imageshack.us)

Unknown Rugby Union Test
http://img243.imageshack.us/img243/637/192386463712ff37b66biw2gb6.jpg (http://www.imageshack.us)

Just another interesting tidbit. There are four major football codes in Australia but only three have sold out games to Telstra Stadium.

Rugby League and Rugby Union have filled it at both it's original 110,000 and current 83,500 capacities. Football (Soccer) has sold out games at the lower 83,500 capacity but Australian Rules Football has yet to achieve this feat.

One of my favourites!!

Telstra with seats retracted for AFL
http://img90.imageshack.us/img90/8928/stelstra20stadium20026ae.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/21/34025829_38de570e17_b.jpg

Highest attendance is 114,714 for the 2000 Olympics Closing Ceremony!

Damn it looked nice in Olympic Mode.
Then again, so do most Olympic stadiums during the olympics.

Smashed them? Not really. NZ led 24-nil after 5 or so minutes but we got back to 24-24 by half time. The AB's only just up winning on fulltime when Lomu ran over Gregan. That first half performance by the Wallabies was one of the best comebacks I've seen by them, and that's saying something.

Regarded by many as the greatest Rugby game ever played,in front of a world record Rugby attendance of 109,874.
Im lucky to say that I was there!

Dam idiots they are! It looked amazing and was the biggest in southern hemisphere??? Now it look okay, but nothing different about it. They said "no one could see" from out there... who cares!!!! They are paying for the tix and they have made a conscious decision - how is this a liability??/

Too bad for Sydney ...

How do they reconfigure the seating to switch from AFL to rectangle mode? The rake of the seating doesn't look that different, yet in the rectangle pics the seats seem very close to the pitch (by modern standards).

This is how it looks now.

The reasoning for not building a second tier on both ends is because the stadium makes more money with the advertising in its place. They've said it'll eventually have two tiers at each end but I'm not holding my breath waiting.


I'd guess that if Australia ever wins a World Cup bid, you'll see your second tier as Sydney and Melbourne wind up the big dick-swinging contest to see who gets the final.

How do they reconfigure the seating to switch from AFL to rectangle mode? The rake of the seating doesn't look that different, yet in the rectangle pics the seats seem very close to the pitch (by modern standards).

The bottom tier on both main grandstands moves forward and back. It's very easy to see if you are actually looking for it. The rest of the seats stay in the same position, hence the massive space behind the goal-lines when it's in rectangle mode.

It certainly is an impressive looking stadium in olympic mode, much more so than the re-configuration. Still, can't help thinking that the ends (as huge as they are) look a bit 'tacked' on. They don't sit comfortably with the rest of the structure and although they serve their job well as an attendance booster, I bet if you were to sit right at the back you would feel completely out of it. Almost not in the stadium as such and you might need binos!

what the hell are Binos?

Great thread...

A discarded plan to add a retractable roof.
http://img243.imageshack.us/img243/598/stozbq2.jpg (http://www.imageshack.us)
It's my understanding that the idea isn't completely dead and may be added at a future date.

The reasoning for not building a second tier on both ends is because the stadium makes more money with the advertising in its place. They've said it'll eventually have two tiers at each end but I'm not holding my breath waiting.
The second tier was basically a delightful afterthought when it was built with leftover funds from the re-construction budget. As for the otherside, it's true that TS makes more money from advertising because attendances don't justify them being replaced with seating. Also TS management are hopeful of hosting ODI cricket matches there in future and that space would be used to occupy press boxes.

Just another interesting tidbit. There are four major football codes in Australia but only three have sold out games to Telstra Stadium.

Rugby League and Rugby Union have filled it at both it's original 110,000 and current 83,500 capacities. Football (Soccer) has sold out games at the lower 83,500 capacity but Australian Rules Football has yet to achieve this feat.
Yesterday 09:26 PM

Telstra Stadium's seating capacity varies from 83500 for Rugby Union, Rugby League and Soccer to 81500 for Cricket & Australian Football. The AFL attracted 72,393 in 2003 for the Sydney/Collingwood game. Correct me if I'm wrong but I believe it's the biggest attendance for a regular season club game at the stadium ... ie. not an international, representative or grand final.

NavyBlue,

Having followed the construction, design and the changes to Telstra Stadium since the beginning (I can actually see it if I get on my roof), I can say that the rectractable roof is dead and burried and will never be done; unless of course the stadium is sold to another company that wishes to build it, but its very doubtful.

As for the AFL capacity, that is the largest attendance for a game outside of Victoria (home of the AFL and the MCG of course), and there have never been any Grand Finals, Rep Games or Internationals played there for AFL, and cannot envisage that there will be.

That said, it is a wonderful venue and was fantastic in November 2005 when we qualified for the World Cup. I was also a ball boy when the stadium had its Official oppening for the Australia v FIFA All Stars (which was held after the NRL Double Header, but was still the 'official' openning, despite contrary reports).

I also attended the 2003 Rugby WC Final, and well, lets say a football crowd (being the WC Qualifier) is far more emotional and generally louder and ultimately put on a better show.

Still, I personally loved the stadium with the end stands and feel the addition of the roof over the remnants of those end stands looks tacky and I really do hate the ability to make it an oval... it just detracts from that asthetic value of the stadium, although ultimately makes it more functional I just personally don't like it.

It is still an A-Class venue inside and out; the whole Olympic Park complex is fantastic, especially during the Easter Show which is on at the moment and is apparently the largest agricultural based show of its type in the world. It has rides, events, shopping, showbags (yay!) and of course the animals that come from the country to meet the city. Its amazing to see the whole park transform to accomodate the show.

If anyone comes to Sydney take a walk through the complex it really is very nice.

NavyBlue,

Having followed the construction, design and the changes to Telstra Stadium since the beginning (I can actually see it if I get on my roof), I can say that the rectractable roof is dead and burried and will never be done; unless of course the stadium is sold to another company that wishes to build it, but its very doubtful.

As for the AFL capacity, that is the largest attendance for a game outside of Victoria (home of the AFL and the MCG of course), and there have never been any Grand Finals, Rep Games or Internationals played there for AFL, and cannot envisage that there will be.

That said, it is a wonderful venue and was fantastic in November 2005 when we qualified for the World Cup. I was also a ball boy when the stadium had its Official oppening for the Australia v FIFA All Stars (which was held after the NRL Double Header, but was still the 'official' openning, despite contrary reports).

I also attended the 2003 Rugby WC Final, and well, lets say a football crowd (being the WC Qualifier) is far more emotional and generally louder and ultimately put on a better show.

Still, I personally loved the stadium with the end stands and feel the addition of the roof over the remnants of those end stands looks tacky and I really do hate the ability to make it an oval... it just detracts from that asthetic value of the stadium, although ultimately makes it more functional I just personally don't like it.

It is still an A-Class venue inside and out; the whole Olympic Park complex is fantastic, especially during the Easter Show which is on at the moment and is apparently the largest agricultural based show of its type in the world. It has rides, events, shopping, showbags (yay!) and of course the animals that come from the country to meet the city. Its amazing to see the whole park transform to accomodate the show.

If anyone comes to Sydney take a walk through the complex it really is very nice.

The retractable roof option is not "dead" simply because it was never alive!.
The Stadium Australia Group which owns and runs the venue never had plans to construct a retractable roof and has never been in their budgets.
That said,HOK Sport designed the venue to allow a retractable roof if it was ever required.The roof will open and close using the main arches as rails.
It may not ever happen but design has allowed it.

Dam idiots they are! It looked amazing and was the biggest in southern hemisphere??? Now it look okay, but nothing different about it. They said "no one could see" from out there... who cares!!!! They are paying for the tix and they have made a conscious decision - how is this a liability??/

Too bad for Sydney ...
I sat up on one of the end stands for state of origin one year, it wasn't too bad.

Telstra Stadium's seating capacity varies from 83500 for Rugby Union, Rugby League and Soccer to 81500 for Cricket & Australian Football. The AFL attracted 72,393 in 2003 for the Sydney/Collingwood game. Correct me if I'm wrong but I believe it's the biggest attendance for a regular season club game at the stadium ... ie. not an international, representative or grand final.

The highest club H&A attendance figure for any football code in Australia was set with 105,000 watching a round one of the NRL in 1999.

I sat up on one of the end stands for state of origin one year, it wasn't too bad.

IIRC we still haven't won a game there. It's turned into the new Lang Park.

It looked good during the olympics, but now its abit all over the place

The retractable roof option is not "dead" simply because it was never alive!.
The Stadium Australia Group which owns and runs the venue never had plans to construct a retractable roof and has never been in their budgets.
That said,HOK Sport designed the venue to allow a retractable roof if it was ever required.The roof will open and close using the main arches as rails.
It may not ever happen but design has allowed it.
Yep . . . that's what I was getting at. I remember watching an interview with one of the architects a while back stating exactly that.

The highest club H&A attendance figure for any football code in Australia was set with 105,000 watching a round one of the NRL in 1999.
I remember that, it was the official opening of the stadium with many using the opportunity to have a look at Sydney's biggest ever stadium for the first time. 104,583 attended the rugby league double header.

Incidentally, the top six rugby league regular season attendances at this venue have all been double headers.

Yep . . . that's what I was getting at. I remember watching an interview with one of the architects a while back stating exactly that.


I remember that, it was the official opening of the stadium with many using the opportunity to have a look at Sydney's biggest ever stadium for the first time. 104,583 attended the rugby league double header.

Incidentally, the top six rugby league regular season attendances at this venue have all been double headers.
The NRL should really look at trying to schedule more double-headers there to take advantage of it.

The RFL here have caught on to the idea with a whole round of Super League taking place at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium over the next Bank Holiday weekend (May 4th-7th). I think there's a double header on 3 of the 4 days.

For what it's worth, I preferred the place in its 110k Olympic configuration. I know there's a keen-ness to avoid 'White Elephant' syndrome of ex-Olympic venues and that was probably why it was decided to reduce back down to 85k, but I found it kind of disappointing in 2001 that if sport-mad Australia couldn't appear to sustain a 110k venue, having had one built, then what hope was there for the rest of the world?

The RFL here have caught on to the idea with a whole round of Super League taking place at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium over the next Bank Holiday weekend (May 4th-7th). I think there's a double header on 3 of the 4 days.

No, it's a triple-header on both Saturday and Sunday.

While 115,000 capacity was great to have,it was just too big and 80-90k was always a more suitable size for a city like Sydney.Even the 100k MCG is lucky to get more than 3 annual events greater than 80,000 plus the occasional one off event(socceroos/Bledisloe etc).
The ends stands were poor viewing for the Rugby codes and disrupted the true flow of the original design.
For me,I prefer the curves!(thx Fabian for pic)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v28/Fabian/Sydney%20Olympic%20Park%20and%20Easter%20Show/P4087766.jpg

^^
I like that shot, it's a nice angle.

Why is there a picture of Super Nanny hanging up?

Why is there a picture of Super Nanny hanging up?

:lol: I didn't even see that.

The NRL should really look at trying to schedule more double-headers there to take advantage of it.
I agree, it would make better use of Telstra Stadium's vast capacity . . . Rugby League averages 18,428 per game during the regular season, whereas the 6 double headers there have averaged over 56,000.

Here are some pics taken 5min ago.

http://www.miliux.com/forumimage/Tel-1.jpg

http://www.miliux.com/forumimage/Tel-2.jpg

http://www.miliux.com/forumimage/Tel-3.jpg

First seen rendering on the front page of Sydney's Daily Telegraph when Stadium Australia was first announced in January 1996.
Construction started in August 1996 and was complete in March 1999(2.5 years),and yes..it was Multiplex!..On time and on budget again!(except Wembley!)

http://img243.imageshack.us/img243/8923/stadiumaustralia1zx4.jpg

Wow!!!!!! I'l be bitterly disapointed if Perth's new stadium doesnt achieve similar feats in design as this.

How much did it cost to build?

Wow!!!!!! I'l be bitterly disapointed if Perth's new stadium doesnt achieve similar feats in design as this.

How much did it cost to build?

Including the post games reconfiguration - $670m

It should definately host the Asia Cup 2015 final. Don't you think?

It should definately host the Asia Cup 2015 final. Don't you think?

Agree, they'd be mad not to.

How do they reconfigure the seating to switch from AFL to rectangle mode? The rake of the seating doesn't look that different, yet in the rectangle pics the seats seem very close to the pitch (by modern standards).

Thanks to Rexfan2 in the Wide Angle shots thread:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/ed/Panorama-TelstraStadium-Oct2005.jpg

Thanks to Rexfan2 in the Wide Angle shots thread:

That pic was already posted on the first page.

It is now ANZ stadium

Looks awkward when the sideline seats are retracted!

It is a stadium designed by committee to fit all and suit nothing.

This to mop was the best olympic stadium ever. Specialy with the old superstands on the long end sides.
Now from the inside I like it a little bit less, but the roof is very nice now.

after the atlanta olympic stadium, anz stadium really was a breath of fresh air.
complete one year before the games!!

by Naddsy

highest row?
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/23/34194319_2abfb40bad_b.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/23/34194332_5ecd566808_b.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/21/34194368_f5143ee9d9_b.jpg

i really like this stadium but is it underoing an upgrade? can it not be added under an Australian stadiums/stadia thread?

Sercan?

nope, is not being upgraded

It's always a great view when we are beating the All-Blacks or the Boks

Even after its reconstruction, can the Stadium Australia even fit an athletics track in its oval configuration?

No - the end stands were rebuilt closer to the pitch when the track was removed. Personally I think they should have reconfigured it as a rectangular stadium for rugby union, rugby league and soccer, and left AFL games at the SCG, but that's just my opinion.

^^That sucks. It should require removing the first 10 rows of seating to recreate a track. :bash:

Paris stadium spectaculars set for Sydney
Wednesday, 08 July 2009
PARIS & SYDNEY 8 July 2009: Spectacular theatrical and entertainment events from the world’s most innovative stadium scaled producer are set for Sydney’s ANZ Stadium under a breakthrough 5 year agreement with StadeFrance Live Events announced today.

StadeFrance Live Events is a wholly owned subsidiary of the iconic Stade de France in Paris, which hosted the 1998 FIFA World Cup final and has become one of Europe’s premier sports and entertainment venues.

Under the agreement, Sydney’s ANZ Stadium will be granted the exclusive first right to conduct events produced by StadeFrance Live Events.

The new partnership places Sydney at the forefront of the emerging global entertainment genre of stadium scale presentations of classic theatre and opera, as well as contemporary entertainment.
StadeFrance Live Events and Stade de France have produced and hosted productions of Carmen, Ben Hur, Turandot, Aida and Verdi Requiem. Contemporary productions include Celtic Night, Stadium’s Horses and Unighted.

With this strategic partnership, ANZ Stadium plans to deliver world class stadium shows produced in Europe first to Sydney audiences with the ability to take them to the broader Australian and New Zealand markets.
StadeFrance Live Events is committed to developing new shows with their performance at ANZ Stadium in mind right from the conceptual stage.

This partnership will underline ANZ Stadium’s status as Sydney’s largest and Australia’s most progressive sports and entertainment venue. It also demonstrates the value that StadeFrance Live Events innovative content can provide to large stadia targeting a broader audience and the optimal use of their venues.
The agreement is a first for an Australian stadium and follows a new strategic direction being adopted by stadia looking to open up opportunities for innovative non-sporting events with worldwide appeal.
***
Jean-Christophe Giletta, Chairman of StadeFrance Live Events said: “We are proud to partner ANZ Stadium, one of the most prestigious stadiums in the world and to provide them with a great program of premium and creative entertainment content. It is an additional step in the development of our business model, generating long term added value for stadia through the development of an innovative content management strategy.”
Daryl KERRY, CEO of ANZ Stadium said: “We have been most impressed by the quality of Stadium scaled shows being produced by StadeFrance Live Events and their professional commitment to developing shows that will have mass appeal. We are delighted that as future shows are developed ANZ Stadium will have the ability to deliver those shows first to Sydney audiences and later in the broader Australian and New Zealand markets. The prospect of regular artistic performances on a grand scale complements our current schedule of major sporting events making ANZ Stadium one of the world’s most versatile stadiums.

About StadeFrance Live Events: StadeFrance Live Events is a Consortium Stade de France wholly-owned subsidiary. The core business is producing, marketing and delivering premium live events scaled for stadia as well as providing comprehensive support including programming & strategy consulting services. For more information about StadeFrance Live Events visit: www.stadefrance-live-events.com

About ANZ Stadium: ANZ Stadium is a multi-purpose venue for football, rugby union, rugby league, Australian Rules football, cricket and major rock concerts with a capacity of 83,500. ANZ Stadium was the main venue for the Sydney 2000 Olympics and the 2003 Rugby World Cup.

No - the end stands were rebuilt closer to the pitch when the track was removed. Personally I think they should have reconfigured it as a rectangular stadium for rugby union, rugby league and soccer, and left AFL games at the SCG, but that's just my opinion.

They had to change it to fit AFL because they can grab larger crowds then most NRL clubs for regular season matches.

3 matches have been played there this year with an average of 36,746 compared to the NRL who have played 14 games there with an average of only 15,698.

it doesnt make sense to me why the nrl doesnt have more double headers in sydney because the average nrl crowd is about 18000 but most double headers draw crowds upwards of 50000, you do the maths

They had to change it to fit AFL because they can grab larger crowds then most NRL clubs for regular season matches.

3 matches have been played there this year with an average of 36,746 compared to the NRL who have played 14 games there with an average of only 15,698.

Oh, I can completely see why the owners of ANZ Stadium would want to get as many different sports playing there as possible - I'm just saying that from a purely non-commercial point of view I'd have preferred to seen it configured for rectangular codes of football, and the SCG increased to over 50,000.

Oh, I can completely see why the owners of ANZ Stadium would want to get as many different sports playing there as possible - I'm just saying that from a purely non-commercial point of view I'd have preferred to seen it configured for rectangular codes of football, and the SCG increased to over 50,000.

Fair enough. :)

Oh, I can completely see why the owners of ANZ Stadium would want to get as many different sports playing there as possible - I'm just saying that from a purely non-commercial point of view I'd have preferred to seen it configured for rectangular codes of football, and the SCG increased to over 50,000.

They're never gonna upgrade the SCG to that amount. I say this cause they probably don't want to copy Melbourne and destroy their historic stands just to build a modern 20,000 odd capacity stand.

actually 50000 for the scg is the plan for the capacity at the time when australia hosts the cricket world cup, this will happen by the Bradman, Noble and Messenger stands being knocked down to create a stand a bit taller than the new Trumper stand, this will be done by the 2011/12 ashes series and then the Churchill stand will be redeveloped after that therefor the scg loses none of its important history

http://resources2.news.com.au/images/2009/12/09/1225808/798446-anz-stadium.jpg


http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/soccer/raising-the-roof-on-world-cup-chances/story-e6frey4r-1225808799215

THIS is the $150 million makeover that could knock out Melbourne and ensure Sydney wins the fight to be Australia's nominated host for soccer's World Cup final.

This artist's impression shows how ANZ Stadium would be transformed into a rectangular venue for soccer's showpiece, with a roof over the stadium and an extra 7000 seats, increasing the ground's capacity to 90,000.

Join Tom Smithies' blog: Why the NRL should embrace Australia's bid to host the World Cup

The high-tech, retractable and transparent roof, the first of its kind in the southern hemisphere, would protect fans from the elements and let natural light filter through.

Moveable northern and southern grandstand tiers would bring fans behind the goals up closer to the action, instead of being seated in the existing curved ends that are required for oval sports.
At rugby league events, fans are currently seated 23m from the dead-ball line.

With the revamp, spectators at each end would be only 5m from the line.

It is understood the revolutionary pivoting tiers technology would allow the end grandstands to retract for AFL and cricket.

The draft master plan developed for the 10-year-old stadium aims to create a better atmosphere for fans, improve player facilities and give regular tenants - league, union, AFL and cricket - more corporate and commercial opportunities.

The benefits for soccer's rival codes, which have been critical of the effect the World Cup will have on their regular seasons, are essential to win support.

"The big play here is an evolution of ANZ Stadium as a multi-purpose major event venue for grand finals, Origins, Bledisloe Cups, international cricket and rock concerts," said a source close to the project.

"But the revamp must also deliver a true rectangle like the world's best football stadiums if Sydney wants to host the World Cup final.

"We won't get it with a venue that hasn't changed much since the Olympics because FIFA will want a stadium that's a monument for the world game and even bigger than the Olympics. This makeover will deliver that.

"It will knock Melbourne out."

The Daily Telegraph understands that FIFA would be reluctant to stage its showpiece game at the MCG, a specialist cricket and AFL ground that cannot easily be made into a rectangular venue.

The final plan and architect designs will be presented to NSW Government officials and the FFA bid team that is chasing the rights to the 2018 or 2022 World Cup.

They should perhaps re-name it the 'Jonny Wilkinson Arena?'

The Daily Telegraph understands that FIFA would be reluctant to stage its showpiece game at the MCG, a specialist cricket and AFL ground that cannot easily be made into a rectangular venue.


Maracanã?

They should perhaps re-name it the 'Jonny Wilkinson Arena?'
Im sure Cathy Freeman would get in before Jonny!

Maracanã?

have an acutally look at the maracana fans aren't actually far from the pitch, especially around the corners!

Well the Maracana is an Oval that is 162m / 122m to the MCG's 172m / 149m but it has a far shallower rake to the MCG, well not the G's ground tier which has a pathetic 12 degree incline. So yeah, the Maracana is probably no worse the the MCG overall for Soccer especially with 1000's closer to the pitch. That dribble being said, ANZ is far superior to both and if it is boosted to 90000 seats, should host the Final if Australia gets the WC.

With this rennovation can the stadium still be used for afl and cricket?

^^No, because it's not going to be an oval anymore. If the lower tier is to be removed to make way for rectangular stands, it will be irreversible and it's going to end up a white elephant.

^^No, because it's not going to be an oval anymore. If the lower tier is to be removed to make way for rectangular stands, it will be irreversible and it's going to end up a white elephant.
They're supposed to be "moveable stands" so it will remain a multi purpose venue. I don't think it could survive otherwise.

I must say I'd love for this plan to come to fruition but there's no way it can be done for $150m. I read the other day the retractable roof at Wimbledon cost £80m. Reconstructing two ends and a huge retractable roof will cost considerably more than what they're budgeting for. I also don't see how they will gain an extra 8,000 seats by bringing the end stands closer, especially if the lower tier gradient is consistent with the rest of the stadium.

^^No, because it's not going to be an oval anymore. If the lower tier is to be removed to make way for rectangular stands, it will be irreversible and it's going to end up a white elephant.

All that's added are moveable seats to the end stands, which should be exactly like the wings. This means AFL and cricket can stay. I don't think this will go ahead though. No real need. Money would better be spent ungrading other stadiums and building other 40,000 stadiums.

not a real need for a roof but the rectangular ends would be fantastic and much needed for ones like myself who get the cheapest seats at the last minute

They're supposed to be "moveable stands" so it will remain a multi purpose venue. I don't think it could survive otherwise.

I must say I'd love for this plan to come to fruition but there's no way it can be done for $150m. I read the other day the retractable roof at Wimbledon cost £80m. Reconstructing two ends and a huge retractable roof will cost considerably more than what they're budgeting for. I also don't see how they will gain an extra 8,000 seats by bringing the end stands closer, especially if the lower tier gradient is consistent with the rest of the stadium.

The extra capacity to 90,000 will be acheived through the construction of a level 2 tier at the southern end(like the current northern end) and the extention of these 2 tiers into 2 of the 4 corners(removal of 2/4 current scoreboards)

Bulldoze the joint. Noone likes to trek right out there. Build the stadium elsewhere.

Herald Sun here in Melbourne today reported that ANZ Stadium,Sydney will host the World Cup Final if Australia were to be awarded 2018 or 2022 World Cups.

Victoria should completely pull out it's support if Sydney pulls a shoofty on us. They shafted us on the Olympics, we won't stand for it twice.

The soccer and sport's capital is Melbourne. Without it the whole thing will go down like a lead baloon.

what you mean shafted on the olympics??^^ it was a sydney bid and melbourne got a few football games thats very generous for any host city... fifa WC is a different ball game (pun intended) its a whole country. the fact that sydney MAY get the final is speculation. TBH the MCG would be better for the opening ceremony as its big and round = perfect arena. however its by no means oot of the running for the finals if it can sort out this afl stranglehold on the city. although syd harbour would be a good fireworks 'opener'. anyway abosulutely love the new designs jsut what the docter ordered and 90,000 is an extra bonus!!!

also please may no one pull the melbourne is the sports capital stuff nor the sydney 'best' stuff lets make opinions based on the stadiums and cities merit not any city vs city crap

Herald Sun here in Melbourne today reported that ANZ Stadium,Sydney will host the World Cup Final if Australia were to be awarded 2018 or 2022 World Cups.

link????

link????

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/national/soccer-final-fix-is-in-as-australia-bids-to-lure-the-biggest-tournament-on-the-globe/story-e6frf7l6-1225809786849

Soccer final fix is in as Australia bids to lure the biggest tournament on the globe

Peter Rolfe From: Sunday Herald Sun December 13, 2009 12:00AM

SYDNEY will host the World Cup soccer final if Australia's bid to lure the biggest tournament on the globe down under is successful in 2018 or 2022.

In a move that will infuriate Victorian sports fans, sources involved in the bid say a deal has been done behind closed doors to play the high-profile final in the harbour city rather than Melbourne.

The MCG has been overlooked in favour of Sydney's Olympic Stadium, according to the sources who say the agreement was struck after pressure from Sydney soccer heavyweights and the NSW Government.

A Sunday Herald Sun investigation into the status of Australia's bid also revealed:

THE BRUMBY Government says it is powerless to intervene in a stoush between the AFL and Football Federation Australia over use of the MCG, despite spending more than $77 million to redevelop the ground before the 2006 Commonwealth Games.


A TUG-OF-WAR between the Federal Government and the states over who should pay to host the Cup is unlikely to be resolved until February.

A GROUP of foreign journalists was recently shown around Etihad Stadium and told it would be an integral part of Australia's bid, though the AFL has first rights to the venue and has declared it off limits.

THREE high-placed sources from different areas of Australia's bid have said Sydney has stitched up the final. All three said that Sydney shopping mall king Frank Lowy and Sydney Major Events boss John O'Neil had been major movers behind the deal.

"I think everyone involved sees it that way," one source said. "Frank Lowy, John O'Neil, these groups have been tight for some time and it's very clear that that agreement is in place.

"There will be some unhappy people in Melbourne and rightly so."

Another source said the fact the headquarters of Football Federation Australia, the game's governing body in Australia, was in Sydney also played a part.

"I don't think anyone who has inside knowledge of this thinks the final will be anywhere but Sydney," he said.

Football Federation Australia spokeswoman Bonita Mersiades said decisions on where matches would be played should Australia win the bid were not likely to be made until February.

^^ cheers mate

Bulldoze the joint. Noone likes to trek right out there. Build the stadium elsewhere.

Seems pretty full during the Olympic Games and I doubt they will have problems filling it up for the WC.

Sure, its not near the CBD but it has the major event experience of moving thousands of people in and around the stadium. It also has tons of space around the stadium for FIFA and its sponsors, media, broadcasters etc.

The extra capacity to 90,000 will be acheived through the construction of a level 2 tier at the southern end(like the current northern end) and the extention of these 2 tiers into 2 of the 4 corners(removal of 2/4 current scoreboards)
The second tier on the northern end only increased capacity by just over 2,000 and a similar south stand will achieve a similar result. The removal of 2 scoreboards will have very little impact on capacity. I estimate 85-86k max capacity which is big enough regardless.

yeh because with the new video screens they dont use the old scoreboards anymore and they just show advertising however it was very annoying when i sat up in the second back row for the bledisloe and while not being able to see any of the video screen thus check the score so it was very annoying

The second tier on the northern end only increased capacity by just over 2,000 and a similar south stand will achieve a similar result. The removal of 2 scoreboards will have very little impact on capacity. I estimate 85-86k max capacity which is big enough regardless.
The 2002 capacity was 80,250.The roofing and the northern tier was built in 2003,just in time for the Rugby World Cup.Capacity was then increased to 83,500.The Southern End will increase it to 87,000.The corners,I estimate are around 1000 each.Thats 89,000...The remainder may come from the longer lower tier that reaches closer to the end goaline.

So even with 87k with the proposed enlargement, it still fall 13k short of the MCG.

You have to play the final in Melbourne. They always draw the larger attendances.

Why does FIFA stipulate you 'must' have 10/12 stadiums to host a world cup. We have 5 large cities. Play all the matches in 5 big stadiums I say.

Why play at Docklands in Melbourne for example when you can get twice as many in at the MCG? Another 45k can have the opportunity to get in.

FIFA probably does it just because they can.

The trouble is, other countries are offering either purpose built football stadiums or big rectangular grounds for their final. This is more than an internal battle between Sydney and Melbourne; the Ozzie bid has to ask whether the MCG, as a football venue, stacks up well against what other bids are offering.

So even with 87k with the proposed enlargement, it still fall 13k short of the MCG.

.

The proposal for ANZ Stadium is for 90,000(not 87,000) and the MCG has is actually 95,000 and 100,000 is reached with 5,000 standing room areas.

http://www.mcg.org.au/The%20MCG%20Stadium/Facts%20and%20Figures.aspx

FIFA will not allow standing room at any venue.

So when we really look at at

ANZ Stadium,Sydney -90,000 (rectangular Football Venue)
MCG,Melbourne -95,000 (oval cricket venue)

The MCG has plenty of work to do to convice the FFA or FIFA otherwise.

So even with 87k with the proposed enlargement, it still fall 13k short of the MCG.

You have to play the final in Melbourne. They always draw the larger attendances.

Why does FIFA stipulate you 'must' have 10/12 stadiums to host a world cup. We have 5 large cities. Play all the matches in 5 big stadiums I say.

Why play at Docklands in Melbourne for example when you can get twice as many in at the MCG? Another 45k can have the opportunity to get in.

FIFA probably does it just because they can.

The point of the World Cup is to spread it around the entire country and allow visitors to visit the entire country, while spreading football around the entire country. Why limit it to a few cities when 10-12 can partake in it? If you don't have enough cities that can do a quality job, then you don't deserve to host the Cup and it should go to another country. Personally, I think Australia can do it, but comments like this gives me some concern.

Personally, I think Australia can do it, but comments like this gives me some concern.

Arent we lucky he isnt representing the FFA for the 2018/2022 bid!

As for the venues,Australia will put up between 12-15 venues,with pretty much the following cities represented.

Sydney
Melbourne
Canberra
Brisbane
Adelaide
Perth
Newcastle
Gold Coast
Townsville

and the possibilities of
Wollongong
Central Coast
Campbelltown.

Remebering the final list would be 10.

Could you please explain to me in full the alterations of the Stadium Australia for a FIFA world Cup final? (besides the roof)

Could you please explain to me in full the alterations of the Stadium Australia for a FIFA world Cup final? (besides the roof)
Full details have yet to be officially published,but based on the media reports,the other main alterations will be the reconstruction of the northern and southern end to put them into a rectangle configuration and introducing retractable seating within those ends.Currently,only the western and eastern side retract while the northern and southern end are fixed and certainly a larger distance from the end sidelines.Extra seating to increase to 90,000 will be constructed on the southern end and in the corners to link the ends stands to the main grandstands.Add the roof onto that and thats all we really know.

Are the ends going to be curved or are they going to be straight. I swear, the look of this stadium is going to be ruined once this reconfigurations take place.

Are the ends going to be curved or are they going to be straight. I swear, the look of this stadium is going to be ruined once this reconfigurations take place.
not sure....My guess,is that there may be a slight curve,due to the AFL still being part of the ground.
(This render indicated it actually may be quite straight)
http://resources2.news.com.au/images/2009/12/09/1225808/798446-anz-stadium.jpg
Personally,it should be straight and thats what most Sydneysiders will want.

If the render is to go by as gospel,then it will look fantastic!

Compare to current
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3009/2330229928_590a2e6a62_o.jpg

Have they even finished paying off the debt on the current structure?

Have they even finished paying off the debt on the current structure?
Last I heard,the debt for ANZ Stadium was about $140Million.
There is no doubt that any redevelopment of ANZ would require large State and Federal funding.There is no way,the Stadium Australia group themselves can fund this sort of development. The MCG in Melbourne is $340Million in debt and a fair chunk of that is still paying off the 1992 Great Southern Stand.

not sure....My guess,is that there may be a slight curve,due to the AFL still being part of the ground.
(This render indicated it actually may be quite straight)
http://resources2.news.com.au/images/2009/12/09/1225808/798446-anz-stadium.jpg
Personally,it should be straight and thats what most Sydneysiders will want.

If the render is to go by as gospel,then it will look fantastic!

No, the stadium will look terrible. Don't go ahead with this plan, please. Award the 2018 EWC to Russia.

The MCG in Melbourne is $340Million in debt and a fair chunk of that is still paying off the 1992 Great Southern Stand.
what?!?!? never knew that

^^^^^^^^^^^^^

The difference is, the MCG pulls in 250k per a match minimum and has 80k worth of members. Then you have media, signage, pourage, catering.

Last I looked the average NRL game only gets in around 10 to 15, the MCG drags in 35 + on average. And they would still do in a depression because football and the MCG in Melbourne is like the Vatican in Rome. Sydney, of course has the opera house. Funny, the least cultured city in the country has the reknown cultural landmark.

What Sydney should have done, is build the SCG, years ago into a serious stadium, then chucked the left over money at a railway line 50 years ago.

Now they are just throwing good money after bad. Those renders of the new design are almost pointless. The spectators at the front seats get 10 metres closer for 100s of million. WAFTAM.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^

The difference is, the MCG pulls in 250k per a match minimum and has 80k worth of members. Then you have media, signage, pourage, catering.

Last I looked the average NRL game only gets in around 10 to 15, the MCG drags in 35 + on average. And they would still do in a depression because football and the MCG in Melbourne is like the Vatican in Rome. Sydney, of course has the opera house. Funny, the least cultured city in the country has the reknown cultural landmark.

What Sydney should have done, is build the SCG, years ago into a serious stadium, then chucked the left over money at a railway line 50 years ago.

Now they are just throwing good money after bad. Those renders of the new design are almost pointless. The spectators at the front seats get 10 metres closer for 100s of million. WAFTAM.

So how much time will they take to repay the MCG debt?

So how much time will they take to repay the MCG debt?
Most of the debt is from the latest redevelopment which cost $450m. At the time, the MCC were still servicing the $150m cost of the southern stand.

Steven Gough, CEO of the venue has stated that the debt may take up to 10 years to pay off but with over 100,000 full and restricted members, the MCG is placed better than most to service it's debts. There's even talk of another reconstruction in 10-15 years time.

Up to $200m to upgrade stadium for World Cup . . . out of whose pocket?

* Ray Gatt
* From: The Australian
* December 11, 2009 12:00AM

CONCERNS have been raised over the source of the funding needed for the revamp of ANZ Stadium after federal and NSW state governments yesterday played a straight bat to suggestions they will help bankroll it.

It is understood as much as $200 million will be needed to turn the stadium, the home of the Sydney 2000 Olympics, into a state-of-the-art complex good enough to host either the 2018 and 2022 World Cup finals.

Under a radical proposal, details of which were revealed yesterday, a retractable and transparent roof would be built over the stadium, 7000 extra seats added and the ground transformed into a rectangular venue - all aimed at helping Sydney win the right to host the World Cup final if Australia wins the bid to stage the second-biggest event in world sport.

But yesterday's revelation regarding ANZ Stadium has considerably lifted the stakes and will put more pressure on Victoria to sort out the wrangle between Football Federation Australia, the AFL and, to a lesser extent, the National Rugby League regarding venue availability.

However, Sydney has its own concerns as the cost of bidding for the World Cup finals continues to rise.

The federal government has already committed $46m to FFA to lobby to host either 2018 or 2022. However, it is a different story when it comes to who will pay for the cost, expected to be hundreds of millions of dollars, of building new stadiums and redeveloping existing facilities.

An ANZ Stadium source confirmed the move to revamp the stadium, suggesting that two-thirds of the funding would come from the federal and state governments and the rest from the stadium, rugby league, rugby union, soccer, cricket and AFL.

A spokeswoman for federal Minister for Sport Kate Ellis told The Australian that the government had not been approached about funding the redevelopment of ANZ Stadium. "That's not right; it's news to us," the spokeswoman said. "There have been no discussions."

A spokesman for the NSW government said it had not been approached on the issue of redevelopment funding.

"NSW Treasury considers all proposals on their merits and that would be no different here,"

a spokesman for Minister for Sport, Kevin Greene, said.

Additional reporting: AAP
I always thought the original $150m figure was a little too optimistic and the new $200m estimate would most likely have to be revised higher considering the extensive projects planned.

Most of the debt is from the latest redevelopment which cost $450m. At the time, the MCC were still servicing the $150m cost of the southern stand.

Steven Gough, CEO of the venue has stated that the debt may take up to 10 years to pay off but with over 100,000 full and restricted members, the MCG is placed better than most to service it's debts. There's even talk of another reconstruction in 10-15 years time.

Very interesting. Thanks

While the rectangular seating would be a massive upgrade for this stadium, I prefer it without the roof. I think it looks fantastic as is and that the roof would not fit with the stadium. I hope the roof gets nixed, but seating changes go forward.

^^I wanted the rectangular seating bowl nixed. It will NOT look fantastic, it will look horrible! How many times do I have to say it?

I hope the roof gets nixed...

^^I wanted the rectangular seating bowl nixed...
I tend to agree with both of you.

No need to spend $$$ on a retractable roof and stands, especially to secure a potential WC final. With Frank Lowy pulling the WC bid strings, sydney is a shoe in for that fixture - even if Melbourne builds a 'Wembley'.

Just build a second tier at the south end and 85,000 will be plenty for the final.

Its obvious there is no understanding here of the Sydney market.
Rugby League/Union/Soccer is not acceptable on a oval field.It may be ok in Melbourne but not to a market where the all th suburban football fields are rectangle and its what expected.ANZ stadium was meant to be rectangle after the Olympics,but it was sabotaged by the AFL so that their game can be played on the ground for their push into Western Sydney.

This is how it shouldve been in the first place and Sydney siders will be happy with that.

That re-development will never happened.

The only way it could is if Sydney Swans or the new AFL West Sydney team play at the SCG for the rest of eternity.


Sydney dont give a right f*** about Football (soccer) having the worst crowds per capita then any city in AUS, the stadium can already be turned rectangle for Rugby.

No need for it.
Plus Melbourne should host, seeing they're Sporting capital of the AUS/World.

That re-development will never happened.

The only way it could is if Sydney Swans or the new AFL West Sydney team play at the SCG for the rest of eternity.


Sydney dont give a right f*** about Football (soccer) having the worst crowds per capita then any city in AUS, the stadium can already be turned rectangle for Rugby.

No need for it.
Plus Melbourne should host, seeing they're Sporting capital of the AUS/World.

:sly:

:sly:

I got no doubts Sydney will host it.
FFA is situated there ect.
But its honestly idiotic.
Melbourne has so much Culture its un-believable.

You just have to walk down a single street to recognise it.
For all we know another Cronulla Riot could happened if its hosted in SYD.

Melbourne Survives on Sport.
Its what we live for.
Yet the sleezy little city to our north, gets it. The one with the mardigras and the business men having a coffee on Oxford St.


Just my opinion ect.

That re-development will never happened.



It will happen if Australia wins the right to host.
Stadiums will be built and stadiums will be developed.
Simple as that.

I
Melbourne has so much Culture its un-believable.

You just have to walk down a single street to recognise it.
For all we know another Cronulla Riot could happened if its hosted in SYD.



Stick to the topic.

:ohno::ohno::ohno:

So if it does happen.

Will it be reversible, or will it be rectangle for ever?

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/soccer/raising-the-roof-on-world-cup-chances/story-e6frey4r-1225808799215


Moveable northern and southern grandstand tiers would bring fans behind the goals up closer to the action, instead of being seated in the existing curved ends that are required for oval sports.
At rugby league events, fans are currently seated 23m from the dead-ball line.

With the revamp, spectators at each end would be only 5m from the line.

It is understood the revolutionary pivoting tiers technology would allow the end grandstands to retract for AFL and cricket.



That should answer your question.

Yet the sleezy little city to our north, gets it.
Sleazy maybe, but you cant call us little.

There are plenty of reasons why ANZ should get the final over the MCG, especially if the revamp goes ahead.

Originally Posted by ExSydney


http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/spo...-1225808799215


Moveable northern and southern grandstand tiers would bring fans behind the goals up closer to the action, instead of being seated in the existing curved ends that are required for oval sports.
At rugby league events, fans are currently seated 23m from the dead-ball line.

With the revamp, spectators at each end would be only 5m from the line.

It is understood the revolutionary pivoting tiers technology would allow the end grandstands to retract for AFL and cricket.
ah, okay thanks.

Sleazy maybe, but you cant call us little.

You are little on the Footballing stage.

Melbourne's no liverpool either. In any case, Sydney is much larger on the world stage - thats the one thats gonna matter in the end i feel.

Hangman, its like saying which is more known..
California or New York.

Paris or London.


Sydney is no bigger then Melbourne on the World stage

It most definitely is, but as this is a stadium thread im dropping the subject.

So how much time will they take to repay the MCG debt?

It will probably be something perpetual. The Great Southern Stand will either be upgraded or rebuilt within the next 20 years and following that, in a further 20 years there will probably be a renovation of the new northern stand.

Australian Stadiums might have large debts and need government money to undertake redevelopments, but they're still large profit and high turn over businesses. Particularly the MCG.

I am quite happy with their debt. The stadium maintains a profit, is incredibly modern with spectacular facilities and is an important piece of social infrastructure.

I believe I read something last year that ANZ was running at about $40m net profit last financial year? But obviously with a large accrued debt.

It will probably be something perpetual. The Great Southern Stand will either be upgraded or rebuilt within the next 20 years and following that, in a further 20 years there will probably be a renovation of the new northern stand.

Australian Stadiums might have large debts and need government money to undertake redevelopments, but they're still large profit and high turn over businesses. Particularly the MCG.

I am quite happy with their debt. The stadium maintains a profit, is incredibly modern with spectacular facilities and is an important piece of social infrastructure.

I believe I read something last year that ANZ was running at about $40m net profit last financial year? But obviously with a large accrued debt.

In any country its going to be tough to run a stadium like ANZ and make a profit while covering debts related to the construction costs.

Its really crazy how Melbourne pulls record crowds for any event.

Men's netball could probably pull 20,000! :)

haha yeah Mo, I was watching netball a while back and was shocked at the large crowd there. Not a fan of it myself.

New pics

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3078/3221902552_fbc9319a46_b.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/9576621@N06/3221902552/

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3516/3749872681_7dfb3460ec_b.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/emmettanderson/3749872681/

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2164/2330230182_18010e6bae_o.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/teresaandsteve/2330230182/

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3009/2330229928_590a2e6a62_o.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/teresaandsteve/2330229928/

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3122/2329405151_6e1102b02e_o.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/teresaandsteve/2329405151/

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2468/4280960479_55aa19a68c_b.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/norrischau/4280960479/

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3124/2690851273_c57220d37e_b.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/xmethodx/2690851273/

wow
i didn't know that just one goal stand has got 2 tiers
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2468/4280960479_55aa19a68c_b.jpg

any news concerning the reconstruction of the goal stands?

has it been said that this stadium will host the ben hurr spectacular later in the year?

wow
i didn't know that just one goal stand has got 2 tiers
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2468/4280960479_55aa19a68c_b.jpg

You could have know if you read this topic from scratch....:banana:

Wish they kept it's Olympic configuration. It was monolithic !

A good crowd for the RL again I see. How ever does that sport consider itself a major game in this country is beyond me. It is the greatest snowjob in Australia's history.

It will probably be something perpetual. The Great Southern Stand will either be upgraded or rebuilt within the next 20 years and following that, in a further 20 years there will probably be a renovation of the new northern stand.

^^^^ This. And considering that the g is a cultural center for Victorian sport and a key point of infrastructure, not to mention a stadium which makes profits with ease, arguments for it's redevelopment are easily made.

As for the main topic, I like this stadium alot. Classy, looks good and multi-purpose to boot! I'll always look back at the 2000 games with fond memories. :cheers:

A good crowd for the RL again I see. How ever does that sport consider itself a major game in this country is beyond me. It is the greatest snowjob in Australia's history.

Eh, I suspect alot of league fans are annoyed they don't play matches at their local grounds, plus transport to ANZ can be tough especially for outer teams, for instance this week Newcastle played at ANZ and it's just not feasible for many Newcastle fans to go to that match.

In comparison, alot of Victorian footy teams are more locally based and in my experience, the g has better transport to and from the stadium than the g, I can understand why fans of clubs like Penrith and Newcastle rarely turn up to the ANZ.

I gotta say though, having 18k rattle around in ANZ looks very bad and very ugly, and does the sport no favours, especially when it's compared to 50k+ crowds at the g which will occur in the first week of the 2010 afl season. I'm sure the ANZ stadium owners aren't too pleased having it operate at 20-30% capacity either.

A good crowd for the RL again I see. How ever does that sport consider itself a major game in this country is beyond me. It is the greatest snowjob in Australia's history.

Third highest average attendances behind 20Twenty Cricket and AFL. Must only be a problem down there because Brisbane averages 37,000 and the Gold Coast averages 20,000. With the Grand Final (just like with AFL) constantly being a sell out.

Love the big stands.

whats the story with the new retractable roof?

Eh, I suspect alot of league fans are annoyed they don't play matches at their local grounds, plus transport to ANZ can be tough especially for outer teams, for instance this week Newcastle played at ANZ and it's just not feasible for many Newcastle fans to go to that match.

In comparison, alot of Victorian footy teams are more locally based and in my experience, the g has better transport to and from the stadium than the g, I can understand why fans of clubs like Penrith and Newcastle rarely turn up to the ANZ.

I gotta say though, having 18k rattle around in ANZ looks very bad and very ugly, and does the sport no favours, especially when it's compared to 50k+ crowds at the g which will occur in the first week of the 2010 afl season. I'm sure the ANZ stadium owners aren't too pleased having it operate at 20-30% capacity either.

ANZ has the highest RL crowd averages in NSW,with Canterbury averaging 23,000 in 2009.Only 1 team town Brisbane is higher with 35,000.

As for Newcastle getting down to ANZ..Its a long train ride from Newcastle to Sydney..Any ground in Sydney would not have any more visiting Newcastle supporters...As for Penrith...they wont even turn up to Penrith Park let alone Homebush and in saying that,you cant tell me that Homebush is harder to get to for Penrith that the SFS,Kogarah,Brookvale etc?

whats the story with the new retractable roof?
Its only proposed Mo..Its most likely on the FFA submission for WC 2018/2022 and wont be built if we miss out.

ANZ has the highest RL crowd averages in NSW,with Canterbury averaging 23,000 in 2009.Only 1 team town Brisbane is higher with 35,000.

Because it's the biggest stadium. 23k rattles around in ANZ and surely RL should be disappointed they are seeing such figures at it's main ground. Plus, it helps your figures if you finish second. ;)

As for Newcastle getting down to ANZ..Its a long train ride from Newcastle to Sydney..Any ground in Sydney would not have any more visiting Newcastle supporters...As for Penrith...they wont even turn up to Penrith Park let alone Homebush and in saying that,you cant tell me that Homebush is harder to get to for Penrith that the SFS,Kogarah,Brookvale etc?

That's my point, it's tough for people from places like Newcastle to get to the ground. The point isn't that it's just as hard to get to Kogarah than ANZ but it's easier to get to CUA than ANZ for Penrith fans, which is why alot of them only go for the local matches at local grounds. The fact that they don't go when it's at their local grounds is a mystery to me but IMO it's because:

1. The standard of local Sydney grounds leaves alot to be desired

2. RL seems to have crowd issues as a whole (as does Sydney with sport as a whole there).

Don't get me wrong, ANZ is well placed, just that the fans don't utilize it as much as they should. The only time the g for instance is empty a la ANZ stadium usually is is when one of the non-Victorian sides plays a low drawing side like North Melbourne or Melbourne.

A good crowd for the RL again I see. How ever does that sport consider itself a major game in this country is beyond me. It is the greatest snowjob in Australia's history.

You twit, those photos weren't of an NRL match. :lol: Most likely Toyota Cup.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3460/3982985804_d62eaf9fe9_o.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/andrewtallon/3982985804/sizes/o/

Guess what Bob, it's a game of Rugby League.

Nice pic of the 2009 NRL GF.

Here is the Semi,just a week before with over 75,000 in attendance.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3437/3954962286_53091705c4_b.jpg

http://www.flickr.com/photos/pletten/3954962286/

Here's a picture from the 2010 Grand Final. With the Australian Army paying tribute to the fallen soldiers.

http://www.defence.gov.au/media/download/2010/Oct/20101005b/20101003ran8119365_021_lo.jpg
defence.gov.au


High Res Picture (http://www.defence.gov.au/media/download/2010/Oct/20101005b/20101003ran8119365_034.jpg)


UHk6BQsMya4

The video still makes me teary.

A real icon of the Millenium.

http://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/0242eJIgwSdcX/900x.jpghttp://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/02NfcLHbIKcvX/900x.jpg

From the USA, this is the best stadium and my favorite olympic stadium.

I was there and as a massive fan of the Sydney Roosters (losing team) it was a horrible night

I was also at the Grand Final as a St George -Illawarra Dragons and a great win it was. :)
The atmosphere was awesome. It may lack the intimacy but when you fill it up, it does come to life.

Such a gloriously massive stadium.

Australia vs India T20 cricket match to be played in ANZ Stadium.......
this is gonna be first international cricket match in this stadium