Elton John to farewell landmark Sydney entertainment venue

Sir Elton John is to farewell the Qantas Credit Union Arena (QCUA), formerly known as Sydney Entertainment Centre, with a concert at the landmark venue on Saturday 19th December.

Sir Elton, who has performed 45 times at the Arena, holds the record for the most number of shows at the venue.

The final months of the QCUA's life prior to its demolition as part of the International Convention Centre, Sydney (ICC Sydney) development, continue to see the venue deliver a packed program of entertainment and sport hosting the Sydney Kings and performances as diverse as Hugh Jackman, rockers Def Leppard and the Schools Spectacular.

Its final week will also see the three concerts from Cold Chisel and another goodbye from Australian music icon John Farnham, who holds the record for the most performances at the venue by an Australian artist, on 16th December.

Farnham will bid goodbye to the venue in his own inimitable way for the one night only event.

Including this farewell, Farnham will have performed at the QCUA on 76 occasions, counting not only his own 40 shows there, but also combined performances with Olivia Newton-John and his starring role in Jesus Christ Superstar: The Arena Tour, back in 1992.

Commenting on his final performance at the venue, Farnham stated "I've been playing the Arena for over 30 years now and they've been some of my most fun and memorable shows.

"I can't wait to get back and raise the roof one last time - get ready for one hell of a farewell party."

Set to be replaced by a new entertainment facility as part of the ICC Sydney development, plans for the ICC Sydney had originally indicated that the Arena would be demolished at the end of 2013.

However, venue managers AEG Ogden took on the operation of the facility in December 2013, keeping it open and active, with respected industry executive Steve Hevern as General Manager, for another two years.

Opened in 1983, over 27 million people will have many wonderful memories of the 4,000 shows staged at the venue over its 32 year history.

Sydney's new city entertainment facility is scheduled open in December 2016.

In 2012, to celebrate Sir Elton John's then record-breaking 45 concerts at the Sydney Entertainment Centre, venue officials acknowledged the milestone by officially naming a Southern Hemisphere star 'The Sir Elton John Star'.

21st January 2015 - AEG OGDEN MANAGED ARENAS SHINE ON THE WORLD STAGE

20th January 2014 - NAMING RIGHTS DEAL SEES SYDNEY ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE RENAMED QANTAS CREDIT UNION ARENA

9th December 2013 - AEG OGDEN TAKES ON MANAGEMENT OF SYDNEY ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE

6th December 2013 - HISTORIC CHANGES FOR SYDNEY’S DARLING HARBOUR VENUES

15th August 2013 - P!NK STAR SHINES OVER SYDNEY

22nd November 2012 - SIR ELTON JOHN’S STAR SHINES OVER SYDNEY