Venues NSW partnership with Rizer delivers memorable opening ceremony at Allianz Stadium

A partnership between Venues NSW and Sydney-based experience agency Rizer delivered a memorable opening ceremony for Sydney's new Allianz Stadium on 28th August, showcasing a world of sport and entertainment possibilities.

Having had impressive national and international success in public events, including the re-opening of the Spanish Steps for the City of Rome, Rizer was excited to be engaged by Venues NSW to demonstrate the technical, theatrical and sporting abilities of this “modern-day colosseum”.

Collaborating with Sydney’s leading artistic director Nigel Jamieson, arts companies, musicians and performers, the story of the land on which the stadium is built transformed before the audience on August 28th through projection, music, dance and spoken word.

The opening ceremony incorporated the story of the stadium’s seating design by Indigenous artist Tony Albert and the day began with a Welcome To Country and smoking ceremony, acknowledging the land on which the stadium sits. During the evening, artist Baker Boy performed and Guy Sebastian anchored proceedings with a special performance for guests.

As Venue NSW’s creative and production partner, Rizer oversaw a number of key elements. These included the event’s creative concept, production design, original musical score, art direction of content, First Nations engagement, talent management, and event programming.

Rizer also devised an integrated promotional campaign that rolled out across print and digital channels.

Rizer Founding Director Barry Wafer notes “announcing the arrival of a flagship new Sydney icon to the world, we were thrilled to work alongside Venues NSW to create such an epic event designed to engage and inspire sports and entertainment lovers alike. The show is a celebration of the stadium, its past and future.”

Venues NSW and Allianz Stadium Chief Executive Kerrie Mather added “it has been a fantastic experience working with the talented team at Rizer to deliver Sydney a spectacular opening of the new world-class Allianz Stadium with a free community event on Sunday.

“The unforgettable grand opening had it all – from large-scale projections, lighting, dancers, entertainment, involvement from our sporting heroes and of course the breathtaking performances by Guy Sebastian and Baker Boy. The event demonstrated just how many ways the state-of-the-art Allianz Stadium can be used and will be used over the coming months.

“Opening Day and Night was the perfect way to celebrate a new era at Sydney’s newest sports and entertainment destination, with the Allianz Stadium opening series to continue from Friday with the historic NRLW-NRL double-header.”

The free community Open Day and Night on Sunday 28th August saw more than 55,000 free tickets handed out to two sessions of live entertainment to celebrate the opening.

The 42,500-seat stadium will be home to the Sydney Roosters in the NRL, NSW Waratahs in Super Rugby and Sydney FC in the A-League.

It will also be home to the Socceroos, Matildas, Wallabies, Kangaroos and Jillaroos for international fixtures.

The stadium provides 100% rain cover to all seats which have been pushed as close as possible to the field of play.

The new stadium delivers a 300% increase in public concourse areas and up to 64 contemporary bars and food outlets provided by Justin Hemmes’ Merivale hospitality group.

Queues for toilets should also be a lot shorter with a 170% increase in the number of public toilets. Women will also have almost six times as many toilets to choose from – 600, up from 113.

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