Parramatta: Elton John concert at Bankwest Stadium on March 7 to bring in the dollars
If you want to gauge the popularity of Elton John’s final Farewell Yellow Brick Road Tour concert, take a look at the eye-watering cost of a hotel room in Parramatta on Saturday.
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Hotel rooms are booked out in Parramatta’s CBD for Saturday when 40,000 revellers are expected to flock to Bankwest Stadium to witness music icon Elton John’s final concert and to the Ultra Music Festival at Parramatta Park.
This morning, a search on HotelsCombined for March 7 showed a Meriton apartment was the only accommodation available in Parramatta CBD — for more than $900 for one person for a night.
However, it was snapped up by the afternoon.
Western Sydney Business Chamber executive director David Borger said the Elton John concert was “a chance for our city to shine and the lack of hotels is a fantastic problem to have”.
“People are going to be coming to Parramatta who haven’t been here for 20 or 30 years,’’ he said.
As well as filling hotels, concertgoers are likely to give a boost to restaurants including those on troubled Church St, which is closed to traffic while the construction on the Parramatta light rail is undertaken.
“The hope is people know what’s in Parramatta before and after the show,’’ Mr Borger said.
“What’s exciting about this concert is that it’s the very last concert so we’re expecting people from all over Australia to come and fill Church St in Parramatta.’’
He also pointed out that Parramatta had the best small bar in Australia in Nick and Nora’s.
Parramatta has attracted major hotel chains, including the Hilton, while a planning panel is assessing an application for the Holiday Inn Express at Smith St.
“They won’t all get built but the first one to lay down a slab will reap the benefits,’’ Mr Borger said.
In October, a report found $1 million is generated into the local economy each time an event is staged at Bankwest Stadium.
Along with the Rocketman’s final Australian concert at Bankwest, where 28,000 fans will pack the stadium, Parramatta will be pumping with the Ultra Music Festival in neighbouring Parramatta Park.
Gates at Bankwest Stadium open at 5pm and Tate Sheridan performs at 5.45pm before Elton hits the stage at 7.30pm.
VenuesLive has recommended travelling to the stadium on public transport, with trains, buses and ferries included in the concert ticket.
Driving is not recommended, with road closures later in the night.
An accessible shuttle bus service will operate between Parramatta Interchange and the stadium for patrons with accessibility or mobility needs.
Services pick up from Argyle St at Parramatta Westfield and drop off on O’Connell St at Parramatta Leagues Club near the stadium.
Return services also run after the event.
Arena Access
Fans sitting on the arena floor should note their best point of access on the day.
● If you are entering through Gate A: Access to your floor seats will be via Aisles 111 and 112.
If you are entering through Gate C1: Access to your floor seats will be via Aisles 122 & 123.
● If you are entering through Gate C2: Access to your floor seats will be via Aisles 124 and 125.
● If you are entering through Gate G: Access to your floor seats will be via Aisles 144, 145 146.