SFS Expansion Plans To Ramp Up NSW Stadium Competition

Sport executives have been shown plans to extend the capacity of Sydney Football Stadium (SFS) to accommodate 60,000 spectators.
The plans see the behind goal areas at the SFS expanded to accommodate the extra seats, a spokesman for the Sydney and Cricket and Sportsground Trust stating âthe SFS master plan allows for expansion to a capacity of about 55,000 to 60,000.
"It is subject to funding and would involve continuing the level-one deck around to connect to the eastern and western stands, providing a continuous upper bowl. There would be a review of corporate hospitality facilities."
However, NSW legislation would need to change for the SFS to expand, according to a 1996 agreement which prevents any stadium in the Sydney area from exceeding a capacity of 48,000.
An expansion of the SFS would add competition for Homebush Bayâs ANZ Stadium. Rugby union, which plays most of its big matches at the former Olympic stadium, has experienced a fall in all non-Bledisloe Cup matches at Homebush since 2000.
The recent Wallabies versus England match crowd of 48,392, down 22% on the 2006 clash (62,124), the fourth-lowest Test crowd recorded at ANZ Stadium.
Australian Rugby Union Deputy Chief Executive, Matt Carroll, attributed some of the blame to England's recent pattern of sending sub-standard teams, plus coverage of the FIFA World Cup, but admitted he had budgeted for a crowd of 50,000 for a game that should have pulled 60,000.
Carroll explained "used to full capacity, ANZ is a magnificent venue, but for crowds between 40,000 and 50,000, it's not so good.
"If the SFS went to 55,000 to 60,000 capacity, it would be hot competition for ANZ Stadium.''
Writing in the Sydney Morning Herald this week, Roy Masters highlighted that âwhen Stadium Australia (now ANZ Stadium) was built, investors were protected by a 35-year agreement prohibiting any stadium exceeding this capacity, while also preventing the SFS and SCG from substantially increasing their corporate-hospitality facilities.
âCorporate facilities are a major factor in drawing the business dollar; on-site dining at the SFS is half the capacity of ANZ Stadium. ANZ Stadium's 800-person dining room on its eastern side is a big source of revenue for the ARU, given the code's attachment to the big end of town via its private-school ethos.
âEven the NRL, with its working-class support, estimates corporate income at Homebush from State of Origin and grand finals to club games varies between eight and four times the yield from the spectator who merely buys a seat - not surprising given corporate tickets are priced between $600 and $1200, and seats vary from $50 to $130.�?
Carroll admitted the ARU sold all its expensive seats for the England Test, but the configuration of the stadium, built for the Opening Ceremony of the 2000 Olympic Games, does not compare for viewing with the SFS's purpose-built rectangle.
Falling crowds for Wallabies tests are a challenge for the ARU with atendance at matches involving South Africa are down 34%; France is down 33% and Wales is down 36%.
Masters suggests that âsimilarly, average attendance at Swans matches at ANZ Stadium spiked at 63,392 in 2007 but last year's four games averaged 36,872.
âOf the past 11 games the Swans have played at Homebush, only one would not fit inside the SCG's 46,000 capacity.
âSimilarly, the NRL expect a crowd of 60,000 at next Wednesday's State of Origin dead rubber, the same number that could be accommodated if the SFS were expanded past its current 45,500 capacity.�?
But ANZ Stadium could still hold off its competition, as a spokesperson explained "when it comes to attendances, ANZ Stadium has the capacity to allow big events to grow bigger and that's a key factor in our relationship with event partners."