NSW Government unveil masterplan to bring Sydney Cricket Ground into the 21st century

The NSW Government is set to begin work on a million-dollar masterplan to transform the SCG, with a piece of falling roof serving as a stark visual reminder the venue is severely outdated.

The NSW Government is set to begin work on a million-dollar masterplan to shape the future of the SCG, as cricket’s charming old girl fights to keep pace with the modern world.

Pictures showing a piece of the O’Reilly Stand roof falling down and forcing the evacuation of spectators during last week’s storms served as a stark visual reminder that the O’Reilly, Brewongle and Clive Churchill Stands were all built in the early 1980s and are completely outdated compared to major stadiums around the country.

A year of record sold out crowds for the Sydney Swans and at the Sydney Test has exposed the inadequacy of the facilities catering for 50 per cent of fans who regularly pack into the SCG for big ticket events, and Venues NSW has confirmed it will launch a review this year.

The NSW Government is working on a million-dollar masterplan to shape the future of the Sydney Cricket Ground. Picture: Getty Images

“Venues NSW will be undertaking a condition assessment of the O’Reilly, Brewongle and Churchill Stands,” a Venues NSW spokesperson said ahead of another possible SCG full house for the Sydney Smash Challenger Final on Friday night.

“The focus of this assessment will be to ensure the facilities meet the modern needs of fans.”

Following the initial condition assessment it’s anticipated the next step would be launching work on the masterplan.

There are no current plans for expanding the SCG’s capacity of 48,000, however, if a decision was ultimately made to knock down the O’Reilly Stand, it’s conceivable capacity could rise to around 55,000.

The Churchill and Brewongle Stands were built in 1980 and extended in 1986, while the O’Reilly Stand on the eastern side of the ground was built in 1982-83.

That makes those facilities even older than the 1988-built Sydney Football Stadium which was knocked down and rebuilt due to inadequate amenities and safety concerns.

Where the capacity could grow is if the O’Reilly Stand was bulldozed and the Trumper Stand, built in 2007-08, effectively extended around at its greater height to the Dally Messenger Stand where the big screen is situated.

A piece of roof metal fell off due to the wind during the BBL match between Sydney Sixers and Sydney Thunder on January 17, 2025. Picture: Getty Images

To redo the Brewongle, Churchill and O’Reilly Stands could cost half a billion dollars, but big time events at the SCG are only getting bigger.

The Swans consistently pull larger crowds than any football code in Sydney while the prospect of Australia taking on India and England more often in Test cricket means regular repeats of this summer’s Test match sell-out across the first three days.

Swans fans are squashed in like sardines trying to make their way through the Brewongle concourse during big AFL matches, while queues for beverage and food during the Sydney Test were massive on day one of the sold-out blockbuster against India.

The Swans and cricket are throwing their weight behind the master plan, with top ranking Cricket Australia officials publicly stating their support for upgrades at the SCG during functions at this year’s Test and for several years now.

“Cricket Australia supports the SCG master plan work, including the proposed upgrades to the Churchill Brewongle and O’Reilly Stands and the preservation of the Members and Ladies pavilions,” a CA spokesperson said.

The O’Reilly, Brewongle and Clive Churchill Stands were all built in the early 1980s and are completely outdated compared to major stadiums around the country. Picture: Getty Images

Cricket NSW released a document called A plan to grow Australia’s favourite sport, which explains the plight of the SCG and its implications on fans in detail.

“The Sydney Cricket Ground is NSW’s premier venue steeped in history and prestige. However, the lack of any significant investment, compared to other sporting stadia across the country including; Optus Stadium, Adelaide Oval, construction of a new stadium in Tasmania and (lobbying for the redevelopment of the Gabba) highlights the risk that the SCG will slip further down the rankings as a top tier sporting venue,” the Cricket NSW document reads.

“This famous and popular venue has some of the oldest spectator facilities in the country, and similar building code compliance issues that saw Parramatta Stadium and the SFS rebuilt. There is now a clear contrast to the new $828 million Allianz Stadium and $330 million CommBank Stadium built for the football codes.

“… The masterplan of the SCG is needed to identify much needed upgrades at the venue. These include upgrades to the outdated Brewongle, Churchill and O’Reilly Stands.”

The Swans and the AFL are huge proponents of a drop-in pitch at the SCG. Picture: Getty Images

The other intriguing subplot to the SCG master plan is that if one of the outdated 1980s grandstands was to be knocked down and rebuilt, it’s at that point that the ground could have a serious discussion about the prospect of introducing drop-in pitches.

As it currently stands, there is no way to physically transport drop-in trays into the ground, but a new grandstand would allow architects to design an entry point underneath the stadium.

For drop-in pitches to become a viable option, Venues NSW would also need to find a place close to the SCG for the wickets to be grown.

The current tender process for the long-term lease of the Entertainment Quarter at Moore Park, located immediately behind the SCG, is an interesting watch because the site could potentially present a solution to growing drop-in pitches in the future.

Sydney Swans and the AFL are huge proponents of a switch to drop-in wickets, however, there are cricket traditionalists who have been opposed.