Venues NSW explains change of management arrangements at Sydney’s Accor and CommBank Stadiums

Venues NSW has today clarified arrangements relating to the upcoming change of management at Sydney’s CommBank and Accor Stadiums, advising of how, as of the beginning of 2024, it will be operating the venues in-house “as it does at Newcastle, Wollongong, Moore Park and, in future, at the new Penrith stadium”.

Following Australasian Leisure Management yesterday revealing that VenuesLive’s long term contract at each of the venues would not be renewed as of the end of this year, and that Venues NSW, the NSW Government’s sport facilities management agency, would take on their direct management, a statement from the agency advised “Venues NSW has owned and operated Accor Stadium since 2016 and CommBank Stadium since it opened in 2019.

“Over the past two years, Venues NSW has delivered more than $80 million of improvements and upgrades at Accor Stadium, including the Great Southern Screen, major roof works, and redevelopment of the dressing rooms to make them gender neutral for the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup.

“VenuesLive was contracted as Venues NSW's agent to provide stadium management and catering services at Accor and CommBank stadiums. That contract expires on 31st December 2023.

“Venues NSW has worked closely with VenuesLive in preparation for the expiry of the stadium operating agreement on 31st December to ensure a smooth transition.”

The statement also referenced Thursday’s announcement that the Gema Group would take on hospitality and catering services at Accor and CommBank Stadiums from 1st January 2024, noting that the “stadium catering services were subject to a competitive tender under the NSW Government procurement” and that “VenuesLive participated in the tender”.

Thursday’s announcement on the catering contract included a reference that “Crown Sydney will bring to life a premium hospitality experience” at Accor Stadium.

However, given that Crown is a competitor to the Accor Group, Australasian Leisure Management understands that this part of the catering offering is being rethought.

Image: Rugby league at Western Sydney's CommBank Stadium.