Premier Gladys Berejiklian today announced Allianz and ANZ stadiums will be rebuilt and transformed into world-class facilities, keeping NRL Grand Finals in Sydney for at least the next 25 years.
Ms Berejiklian said the investment would ensure NSW remains the number one destination for major sporting and entertainment events.
“We want the world’s biggest sporting clubs and artists to choose NSW as their preferred destination to showcase their events,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“To compete globally and attract national and international events, our stadiums must have the most modern facilities that offer a great experience for fans.”
The investment will fund:
- A new 45,000-seat stadium to replace Allianz at Moore Park with construction to start in 2018 and open in 2021 (estimated $705 million, subject to tendering process); and
- A new 75,000-seat rectangular stadium to replace ANZ at Sydney Olympic Park, construction to start in 2019 and open in 2022 (estimated $1.25 billion, subject to tendering process).
“Fans will be closer to the action than ever before, with steep seating creating a colosseum-inspired wall of sound and colour, enhanced with the world’s most advanced technology,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“This investment means we can compete on the world stage for events such as the FIFA Women’s World Cup, the Rugby World Cup, and keep Sydney as the number one sporting destination.
“This is an investment into our vital tourism industry, which is worth $33.2 billion per year to the NSW economy and supports 164,000 jobs.”
Sport Minister Stuart Ayres said: “We can also announce the NSW Government has secured NRL Grand Finals games for the next 25 years.
“The SCG will host one Grand Final in 2020 during the construction phase, and we have organised sequencing so that all other Grand Finals will be played at Allianz (2021 and 2022) and ANZ (2023 to 2044),” Mr Ayres said.
“We have a ‘once in a generation’ opportunity to return NSW to its rightful position as the nation’s premier destination for sport and entertainment events. When we are finished our stadiums will be the envy of the world.”
ANZ and Allianz currently attract a combined 3.5 million visitors per year and contribute more than $1 billion into the economy every year.
Over the period ANZ and Allianz are being rebuilt, the NSW Government will invest around $200 billion on health and education.
