Plans to redevelop Allianz Stadium include giant LED screens to create a ‘small’ stadium

THE proposed new arena to replace Allianz Stadium features giant LED light screens that can be used to create a virtually intimate stadium for smaller games.

THE proposed new arena to replace Allianz Stadium will include giant LED light screens to create a more intimate atmosphere for club games that attract smaller than capacity crowds.

There has been concern the stadium that would hold at least 55,000 spectators is too large for regular season NRL, A-League and Super Rugby games, which often attract crowds of less than half that capacity.

The SCG Trust, however, has tendered for a stadium that can be used in two distinct modes — “championship mode’’ where the stadium is fully open and “club mode’’ with a more intimate atmosphere for about 30,000 fans.

The drawings are only initial impressions. But the Trust has asked architects that all proposals include a vast LED curtain that will block the upper tier for smaller events in order to create a virtually smaller stadium.

Home teams would be able to display branding and advertising on the screens which could also contain noise potentially improving atmosphere in the lower stands and reduce disturbance in the surrounding neighbourhood.

“We’re looking at the future needs of NSW’s major sports and providing the best possible rectangular stadium for all three codes (rugby league, rugby union and football),’’ said Jamie Barkley, the chief executive of the SCG Trust.

“I’m not aware of this being done anywhere else in the world because elsewhere they design stadiums for the expected demand of one club or one sport. But we think the two modes will allow us to deliver super match day experiences for fans of football codes on different occasions.’’

The State Government announced recently that a new 35,000 seat Parramatta Stadium would be the first priority as it distributes $1.6 billion in stadium funding. A new stadium in Moore Park precinct is next on the agenda.

Barkley did not want to speculate on the exact capacity, cost or location of new Allianz Stadium with negotiations with the State Government and sports bodies continuing. But as some measure a 65,000 seat AFL stadium currently being built in Perth is expected to cost about $1.1 billion.

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News_Image_File: An artist’s impression of how the LED screens could create a more intimate atmosphere.

The new plans to cater for both small and large crowds are timely given the NRL last week admitted its goal of increasing average crowds to at least 20,000 by 2017 would not be achieved.

The major sports have not been officially briefed on the SCG Trust’s plans. But the feedback from those who have seen the concept of two modes in one stadium has been positive.

There has been some argument a 55,000 capacity would not be sufficient for major events now mostly held at ANZ Stadium. Barkley did not wish to be drawn on the debate about the stadium’s potential upper limits. However the Trust has previously expressed confidence that it could deliver a stadium capable of hosting events such as NRL grand finals, State of Origin, A-League grand finals and Bledisloe Cup matches.

“We’re very confident talking to the architects that this can and will be done,’’ said Barkley. “For the future needs of New South Wales this has to be rectangular stadium and it has to be able to cope for different crowds and we think this will be the best in Australia.’’