What Melbourne’s top sporting events will look like in 2021
Australian Open and Grand Prix organisers are working behind the scenes to make sure the events can go ahead in Melbourne — and now they’ve had their biggest indication yet on whether fans will be allowed in.
Victoria
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Australian Open and Grand Prix organisers hope to welcome bigger crowds than the Boxing Day Test as Victoria’s major events industry emerges from coronavirus lockdown.
Crowds as large as this year’s AFL and NRL grand finals are likely at Melbourne Park and Albert Park in what will be a boost for morale and the economy.
Spectators are likely to need a mask to enter the areas, while global stars jetting into Melbourne with their entourages for the tennis and GP can expect to be confined to “bubbles” restricting their movements.
Australian Grand Prix boss Andrew Westacott hoped up to 60,000 could attend the season’s opening Formula One race, for which grandstands and hospitality areas would be purpose built accordingly.
“I think that is realistic but we will adapt to whatever the final numbers that are governed and dictated by the health authorities,’’ he said.
“We’ve got the level of flexibility to modify and create this venue to suit the number and if that is 40,000, great; if it’s 60,000, great.
“Twenty five thousand, not as great, but we will make sure it’s compliant and safe for everyone.’’
Cricket Australia, the MCC and the state government last week revealed crowds of up to 25,000 would be allowed at the MCG for each day of the Boxing Day Test.
Mr Westacott said the 176ha Grand Prix precinct was “about 29 times bigger than the MCG and about eight times bigger than the Australian Open’’ site, making crowds at the March event “very sensible and safe”.
“My logic is that if we can safely get 30,000 at the GABBA for the AFL Grand Final, 40,000 to watch Melbourne Storm on Sunday night and maybe 25,000 at the MCG on Boxing Day, then those sorts of numbers should be the starting point,’’ he said.
As pressure mounts to sort out entry and quarantine arrangements for about 750 players attending January’s Open, Tennis Australia is planning for 25 to 50 per cent of its normal crowds.
More than 800,000 fans attended last year’s two-week tournament.
Sports Minister Martin Pakula said the “priority’’ was getting hundreds of international athletes into Melbourne to compete safely at the Open and GP.
“To that end Tennis Australia and the Australian Grand Prix Corporation are working on the concept of ‘bubbles’ similar to those which have operated for Grand Slams and Formula One races overseas,’’ he said.
“Ultimately, it’s up to event organisers to present plans for crowds, in the same way that Cricket Australia has done, and for those plans to be assessed by the public health team based on the prevailing conditions.”
Bubbles at this year’s US and French Open resulted in players being shuttled between tournament and official hotels, regularly COVID-19 tested, banned from dining out or sightseeing, and only allowed to take off masks to play or train.
F1 staff were tested every five days this season.
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