Crowd figures cast further doubts over new stadium at Moore Park

IT IS the mega project that has sparked a mega debate, but there is one very good reason for mega doubt.

Supplied artist's impression of the proposed $250 million plan is being proposed to transform the out-of-date Allianz stadium into a high-tech, fully roofed entertainment facility to help Sydney’s sports teams shore up their financial futures. A new master plan for the 44,000-seat venue at Moore Park includes upgraded seating, quality food outlets and super-fast wi-fi to dramatically improve fans’ match-day experience.

THE Sydney stadium the State Government wants to knock down and replace with a bigger one was only filled two times by its tenants last season.

As part of $1.6 billion funding for sporting stadiums, the NSW Government wants to replace the 44,000 capacity Allianz Stadium at Moore Park with a $1 billion 55,000 seater.

The plan has divided opinion, with Sydney NRL clubs opposed to the idea because they would be forced to move games from their traditional home grounds to the new venue.

Others have called for Allianz Stadium to just be upgraded, rather than demolished.

Ripping down the existing stadium would also leave NRL club Sydney Roosters, Super Rugby’s Waratahs and A-League side Sydney FC without a home ground for at least three years.

But crowd figures from the three major tenants at the ground cast further doubts on a 55,000-seater at Moore Park.

The average crowd at the venue across the 2015 Super Rugby and NRL seasons, 2015-16 A-League season and two Asian Champions League fixtures was only 17,736 — or 40 per cent of capacity.

Across those 38 figures at the ground, there were only two crowds above 40,000 — the two A-League derbies between tenants Sydney FC and Western Sydney Wanderers.

There were no sellout NRL games at the ground in 2015, with the highest crowds of 35,711 and 35,110 for a Sydney Roosters semi-final and Anzac Day clash respectively.

Super Rugby side the Waratahs averaged 22,737 at the ground in 2015, with a season high of 32,632.

It is also worth noting the ground hosted a sellout Sydney Sevens rugby event over two days this year and 24,975 at a Socceroos World Cup qualifier.

The figures cast more doubt on plans knockdown the stadium that was opened in 1988 and replace it with an even bigger one.

The crowd for a Sydney Roosters game against Brisbane Broncos at Allianz Stadium in 2013.

WHY THE SMALL CROWDS?

Sports fans in Sydney are a fickle bunch and don’t seem to need much encouragement to stay home and watch the game on TV.

Poor public transport has been one of the main gripes against Allianz Stadium, with fans often choosing to walk to the ground from Central station rather than worry about a bus.

But the CBD and South East Light Rail project by the NSW Government will provide easier access to Moore Park.

The line, which is expected to be completed by 2017, will go from Circular Quay to Central station, through Surry Hills to Moore Park and finally on to Randwick.

The project will make getting to events at Allianz Stadium and the Sydney Cricket Ground easier for sports fans, but unlikely to increase crowds so much that a bigger ground is needed.

Supplied artist's impression of the proposed $250 million plan to upgrade Allianz Stadium rather than a rebuild.

WHAT IS THE GOVERNMENT PLANNING?

The NSW Government has $1.6 billion set aside for stadiums in Sydney, with a new 30,000-seat stadium at a cost of $300 million already confirmed to replace Parramatta Stadium.

ANZ Stadium at Sydney Olympic Park would also be decreased in size to 75,000 but have a roof and become rectangular.

Sports Minister Stuart Ayres wants $1 billion to go towards the new 55,000 stadium at Moore Park, with a commitment from the NRL that 65 games are played a year at the three grounds.

That has caused problems with NRL clubs such as Manly Sea Eagles and Cronulla Sharks, who do not want to leave their suburban bases to play at a new Moore Park ground.

The policy of centralised stadiums has worked for the AFL in Melbourne, with all clubs playing games at either Etihad or the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

NRL clubs, including Allianz tenants Sydney Roosters, would rather the ground gets an upgrade than being demolished and replaced.

The Daily Telegraph reports that Mr Ayres will now propose the new Moore Park ground is built on Centennial and Moore Park land rather than where Allianz Stadium now stands, which is SCG Trust land.

The State Government has also had to settle for just 55 NRL games at the three grounds each year after clubs would not budge on moving games from their traditional bases.

But a spokeswoman for Premier Mike Baird said the government’s stance on where the new ground should be built had not changed, despite the proposal from Mr Ayres.

“The NSW government’s decision in September last year was to replace Allianz Stadium with a new 50-55,000-seat stadium on existing SCG Trust land, and that decision still stands,” the spokeswoman said.

A sellout crowd of more than 40,000 during the Sydney FC and Western Sydney Wanderers A-League game at Allianz Stadium. Picture: Mark Evans

‘IF YOU BUILD IT, THEY WILL COME’

Many supporters of a new 55,000 seater at Moore Park look to the often misquoted line from the Kevin Costner film Field of Dreams.

(The line is actually “If you build it, he will come”).

They believe that a new stadium, with better food and drink facilities and Wi-Fi, will attract more spectators.

They point to the success of the 30,000-seat AAMI Park in Melbourne, which is used by the Melbourne Storm, Melbourne Rebels and A-League sides City and Victory.

There’s no doubt AAMI Park has been a success, and along with Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, is the best football ground in Australia.

But the “Bubble Dome” has drawn big crowds because it is the first purpose-built rectangular stadium in Melbourne (apart from the dated Olympic Park). Previously Etihad Stadium was used by Storm and the Victory (with the latter still using it for bigger games).

That isn’t the case in Sydney. Allianz Stadium is still one of the best viewing grounds in Australia for football games. Sure, the food and drink facilities are dated, as well as the toilets, but for many a total rebuild is excessive.