Capacity for Adelaide Oval raised to 75 per cent by SA Health ahead of 2021 AFL season
Crows and Port Adelaide supporters rejoice – Adelaide Oval is getting closer to a full house after getting the green light from SA Health.
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Crowd numbers for Adelaide Oval have been boosted to 40,000 ahead of the coming football season.
The Advertiser can reveal that SA Health has approved 75 per cent capacity – up from 50 per cent – effective immediately.
The city venue has been at 50 per cent capacity – close to 25,000 people – during the cricket season and for Port Adelaide’s home preliminary final in October as part of coronavirus restrictions.
But SA Health has approved a new COVID management plan for the venue.
Adelaide will host the first AFL game of 2021 at the ground in just over six weeks when it faces Geelong on March 20 and can have 37,000 supporters, plus 3000 corporate patrons.
Last season Adelaide Oval was empty in Round 1 when the Crows played Sydney while the pandemic was sweeping across Australia.
Port Adelaide chief executive Matthew Richardson said it was great news that more members would be able to watch the Power play at the Oval this season.
“We’re delighted with the announcement that Adelaide Oval will return to 75 per cent capacity for the upcoming AFL season,” he said.
“It is terrific for our members, who have been unbelievable in their support of the club through 2020.
“This will mean that most of our members will be able to sit in their allocated reserved seat in 2021, which I know is important for them.
“This news gives our members much more clarity heading into the season, one that they should be really looking forward to with great excitement and expectation.”
A Stadium Management Authority spokesman echoed the Power CEO’s statement.
“We’ve been working closely with SA Health to ensure we can further increase capacity and we’re delighted that we’re now going to be able to welcome up to 40,000 back to Adelaide Oval,” the spokesman said.
“We’re now collaborating with the clubs on the finer detail, all of which will be communicated to fans, members and corporate patrons over the coming weeks as we build up to the start of the season.”
A Crows spokesman agreed having more members and fans at the ground would be a great result.
“As always we will be guided by the advice of government and relevant health authorities,” he said.
“We are fortunate to have some of the most passionate and loyal members and fans in Australian sport and we will reach out to them directly with more specific details in the lead-up to our Round 1 game at Adelaide Oval.”
SA Health has been contacted for comment.
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Originally published as Capacity for Adelaide Oval raised to 75 per cent by SA Health ahead of 2021 AFL season
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