Big jump in food, drink prices at Adelaide Oval for the third Test between Australia and South Africa
THERE’S a bouncer coming for cricket fans at Adelaide Oval, with a big jump in food and drink prices — just in time for Thursday’s Test between Australia and South Africa. Here’s what you’ll pay
THERE’S a bouncer for cricket fans at Adelaide Oval, with a jump in food and drink prices ahead of the Test between Australia and South Africa on November 24.
But while the average 3 per cent rises help retain Adelaide Oval’s title as the most expensive arena in Australia, key supporters believe they are “fair enough”.
Favourite SA food identity Adam Liaw, a Crows fan, and ambassador for the new Field Of Flavours food market, which will provide welcome alternatives at Adelaide Oval for the Test, believes the price of basic food and drink at the arena is a small price to pay “for the best sporting stadium in the world”.
“It’s an incredible facility,” said the Adelaide cook and prolific food author, now based in Sydney. “Nothing beats the atmosphere at Adelaide Oval. The Crows don’t often get to Sydney, so when in Adelaide I try hard to get to their games, as well as the cricket.
“You have to appreciate the logistics of a facility like this delivering the amount of food needed for the thousands of people at oval events. Sure, you can have a cheaper beer at the pub, but you won’t be there with the best cricketers in the world on magnificent manicured grounds.”
Liaw believes we forget to value food, and the cost entailed in bringing it to the grounds, especially for giant crowds.
Adelaide Oval CEO Andrew Daniels said there had been hot debate over price rises, because the main aim was to keep the facility “as economically accessible to the public as possible”.
However he admitted the oval’s cost base was seriously under pressure.
The Advertiser understands tripling of power costs this year equated to an extra $800,000 a year.
“The Emergency Services Levy also has more than tripled over two years,” said Mr Daniels.
“The stadium is three years old and warranties have expired so maintenance is now the responsibility of the Stadium Management Authority.”
He said there were two prongs to the oval’s cost management, providing affordable access “but that can only happen if the stadium can pay its bills”.
Mr Daniels said important allowances included the BYO allowed oval that would help fans reduce costs. Food, Thermoses and non-alcoholic drinks in plastic bottles, excluding alcohol, enabled families to plan low-cost picnic outings.
Gate prices were out of SMA hands and was set by the users, he said.
“None of the gate ticket costs comes back to the oval. It all goes to the promoters.”
While the rises, averaging at 3 per cent, were “a little bit more than CPI, some items are not going up”, he said.
Water remains steady at $5, and there are some new products, such as fresh juices. Sparkling water has dropped 3.8 per cent from $5.20 to $5 for 450ml. Full-strength beer is up from $8.90 to $9.20. Pies and pasties have also jumped by 30c, from $5.30 to $5.60 and a bucket of hot chips has risen for the first time in three years, to $5.50.
Mr Daniels rejected comparisons with the cheaper MCG “which can subsidise its food and beverage prices across its 100,000-plus membership”.
“We wish we could do the same, but the Adelaide Oval business model is completely different because the clubs and codes control the membership,” he said.
“Our business model is built around covering the costs required to operate and maintain Adelaide Oval for the people of South Australia.”
What you’ll pay
Prices introduced Adelaide Oval, November 4
Beer $9.20 (was $8.90)
Soft drink (600ml) $5.60 (was $5.40)
Water (600ml) $5.00 (unchanged)
Hot chips $5.50 (first increase in three years)
Pies/pasties $5.60 (was $5.30)
Sparkling water (450ml) $5 (down from $5.20)
MCG prices (cut last year)
Beer $7.60
Soft drink (600ml) 4.20
Water was $5, now $3.10
Hot chips $4.10
Pies $4.10
Hot dogs $4.20
Out of the ground, a field of flavours
RAMPING up the Test food experience at the Adelaide Oval is the expanded Field Of Flavours, a colourful market of stalls and food trucks to be corralled in the Creswell Gardens, opposite East Gate.
The precinct — open to all cricket-goers — will be well shaded and equipped with outdoor furniture and a big screen to follow the oval action.
It will also be an entertainment hub featuring The Voice 2012 finalist Sarah Lloyde, pictured here with Field ambassador Adam Liaw.
Also featured will be Adelaide International Guitar Festival personality Cam Blokland, along with jazz artist Louise Messenger.
Here’s a sample of the extra offerings and nearby eateries for the Test:
Food trucks/stalls at the oval
SQUID INC (Two sites)
Cone of squid, three flavours or crumbed, with chips $13; jumbo size to share, $22.
Battered gar and chips, $12.
OZZIE GOZLEME
Lamb gozleme, $14;
Spinach, cheese gozleme, $12; Vego, $13; Just cheese, $11.
SLOE MOE’S
Lamb, brisket or pork burger with fries, $14.95;
Vego crumbed mushroom burger, with fries, $14.95;
Slow-smoked meat plate, slaw, corn, fries, $16.95.
Eateries near the oval
CATHEDRAL HOTEL
Barra, chips, salad, $19;
Pizzas, $20 or two for $30;
Burgers, $18.
QUEEN’S
HEAD HOTEL
Garfish and chips, $18;
Beef burger, $20;
Rump steak, onion rings, $25;
Wood fire pizzas, $19 — $25.
CURIOUS SQUIRE
Buffalo wings, $18 (large);
Nachos, $12;
Burgers, $16-$24.
REGATTA’S
Burgers $19;
Battered flathead, salad, fries, $19.
Thai beef salad, $18