Codes Vying for Stadium Opening Event
The race is on for the right to host the first game at Melbourne's soon to be opened âRectangular Pitch Stadiumâ.
The Melbourne Storm NRL franchise and A-League football team Melbourne Victory are both hoping hope to host the showpiece debut at the Melbourne and Olympic Park venue.
The $268 million project, is set to be completed later this year and will then be formally opened in early 2010, in time for either the end of the A-League summer season or the start of the NRL premiership.
Before then, the Victorian Government is hoping to confirm naming rights to the 31,000-seat stadium.
Melbourne Olympic Parks Trust will manage the venue, with ticket prices and memberships will be controlled by the clubs. More than 30 games a year will be played at the new stadium, also expected to be used for concerts and other events.
Victorian Major Events Minister Tim Pallas recently stated that the stadium could be further expanded if Melbourne played a part in future major events such as the FIFA World Cup, saying âif Melbourne were to play a part in hosting a World Cup we could go to 50,000.�?
The management of the Melbourne Rectangular Pitch Stadium was outlined in the May/June 2009 issue of Australasian Leisure Management.
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