NSW Government ends VenuesLive’s management of Sydney’s CommBank and Accor Stadiums

The NSW Government is to end the long term management of Sydney’s Accor and CommBank Stadiums by VenuesLive as of the beginning of next year, with the venues to be operated by its Venues NSW agency moving forward.

Venues NSW taking over the direct operation and management of the Western Sydney venues from 1st January 2024 will end the management of Accor Stadium (also known as Stadium Australia) by a core management team that dates back to the lead-up to the Sydney 2000 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

VenuesLive has managed Parramatta’s CommBank Stadium since 2019.

In a statement on the takeover, Venues NSW advised Australasian Leisure Management that it "will employ significantly more staff directly to deliver a strong schedule of events, with the majority of the current stadiums’ operational and event delivery employees to be offered new roles.

"The change in stadium operation will deliver a consistent customer experience across the Venues NSW network and will continue to capitalise on the NSW Government's significant investment in major public entertainment and sporting facilities."

However, the circumstances of the change of management may indicate some sensitivity within the NSW Government given the impact it will have on Western Sydney at a time when the NSW Government and other influences are pushing for more concerts at Allianz Stadium in Sydney’s east - largely ignoring that Accor Stadium, with its larger capacity, already hosts a large number of major outdoor concerts. During the upcoming summer it will host performances by the Foo Fighters, Juicy Fest, Taylor Swift and P!nk.

Initially revealed in a story in the sports section of Sydney newspaper The Daily Telegraph on 7th October, the NSW Government has released no statement or press release on the change.

When the office of NSW Minister for Sport Steve Kamper was asked about the change by this publication, the response was that the change was “an operational matter”.

In response to further questions, a spokeperson for Minister Kamper - who has issued more than 40 press releases since his appointment in April on topics including new screens at Newcastle's McDonald Jones Stadium, new appointees to Venues NSW board and on-grass parking at Moore Park - did respond.

The spokesperson advised “Venues NSW was created to provide long-term oversight and direction across the fantastic sporting and entertainment venues in this state.”

“Accor Stadium and Commbank Stadium will be fully incorporated into the Venues NSW network, as VenuesLive's contract expires at the end of the year.

“We want to be the premier destination city in the Asia Pacific and to do that we need to capitalise on the incredible facilities this state has to offer.

“Importantly, this will provide significant opportunities to champion local businesses that will benefit the State economy and solidify NSW's position as the home of major events."

Venue NSW’s Catering Contract
Yesterday it was announced that, VenuesLive’s contract for catering at Accor and CommBank Stadiums as well as, Australasian Leisure Management understands, McDonald Jones Stadium and Wollongong’s WIN Stadium and Entertainment Centre, would not be renewed.

The change comes despite the VenuesLive Catering business being widely acknowledged as one of the best in-venue catering operations in the country - as evidenced by its teams at Accor and CommBank Stadiums and Perth’s Optus Stadium winning major awards at the prestigious Restaurant & Catering Awards for Excellence.

Moving Forward
VenuesLive will continue to operate Optus Stadium, on behalf of the Government of Western Australia, along with Gosford’s Industree Group Stadium, on behalf of the Central Coast Council.

Venues NSW faces a potential challenge with Accor Group’s $5 million a year naming rights sponsorship of Accor Stadium conflicting with brands such as Crown Sydney which is to be introduced at the venue.

Images: The NRL Grand Final at Accor Stadium (top) fans outside the venue during the recent FIFA Women's World Cup (middle) and CommBank Stadium (below).