ANZ Stadium’s $350 million redevelopment plan to revitalise former Olympic venue

The operator of Sydney's ANZ Stadium has revealed ambitious plans for a $350 million redevelopment project that would see the former Olympic venue upgraded with a retractable closing roof and new seating configurations that would bring sports fans closer to the playing surface.

Under the ambitious plan revealed to Sydney newspaper The Daily Telegraph, the Stadium would also be surrounded by a dynamic entertainment zone filled with bars, cafes and restaurants.

Previously budgetted at $250 million, the redevelopment is now estimated to cost $350 million, with stadium owners, Stadium Australia Group, apparently prepared to put in $100 million if its ownership lease is extended beyond 2031 when it is due to hand back the venue to the NSW Government.

At a time when it is also considering funding Sydney's Allianz Stadium and upgrades to stadia in Western Sydney, the plan envisages the NSW Government committing $250 million to the upgrade.

Having appointed construction giants Laing O’Rourke from a group consortiums that expressed interest in redeveloping ANZ Stadium and its surrounding precinct at Sydney Olympic Park, the proposal would see the Stadium’s capacity would remain above 80,000, the venue’s top-level seating tiers could be curtained off using a hi-tech lighting system to create a more intimate atmosphere for smaller matches.

Seating at both ends of the ground would be replaced with double-deck stands, which could be moved to within five metres of the field to create a perfect rectangle for rugby league, rugby union and football.

The design includes a retractable roof made of a translucent membrane which allows sunlight through and is capable of closing in 20 minutes. It would weatherproof all events and allow the Stadium to attract more big music acts.

Stadium Australia Operations (SAO) Managing Director Daryl Kerry said the plan would give Sydney “one of the greatest sports and entertainment stadiums in the world”.

Kerry also told The Daily Telegraph “Sydney’s sporting infrastructure has fallen behind other states and major cities in the Asia-Pacific region

“While ANZ Stadium has served Sydney well, it must undergo a significant redevelopment to ensure it continues to attract major events and meet the expectations of today’s players and fans.”

Plans for a range of entertainment, retail and dining options in the area surrounding the Stadium are presented as being vital in bringing more visitors to Sydney Olympic Park, although the cost of these options is not included in the $350 million budget.

Kerry indicated SAO would be prepared to relinquish its commercial rights around the stadium to allow the government to attract private-sector backers to fund “a world-class event destination that has a life 365 days a year.”

While funding has not been secured, pro-development lobby group the Tourism & Transport Forum (TTF) believes that the proposal deserves serious consideration by the NSW Government.

TTF Chief Executive Margy Osmond stated “ANZ Stadium is already one of Australia’s premier venues, hosting iconic events like the Sydney Olympics, NRL Grand Finals, State of Origin, Bledisloe Cup, World Cup qualifiers, AFL blockbusters, T20 cricket internationals and rock concerts featuring the world’s biggest acts.

“It’s also an economic asset for the state, which has generated $5 billion in economic activity for New South Wales since its opening in 1999.

“Investing in ANZ Stadium would deliver an additional $173 million a year in economic benefits to New South Wales, with additional visitor expenditure supporting jobs in tourism and hospitality.

“The proposed revamp includes improvements that will deliver an enhanced experience for all visitors, giving Sydney a state-of-the-art multi-purpose venue for sport and entertainment.

“Events are critical drivers of visitation and form a central plank in Destination NSW’s strategy to double overnight tourism expenditure to $36.6 billion by 2020.

“Hosting major events in Sydney also positions the city as a dynamic destination, while coverage of the events showcases Sydney and promotes it to a global audience of potential visitors.

“With these economic benefits in mind, we would encourage the NSW Government to commit to funding this revamp in the lead-up to the state election next March.”  

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