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Sydney to host A-League Men’s and Women’s Grand Finals for next three years

 Sydney will host the Isuzu UTE A-League Men’s, Liberty A-League Women’s Grand Final, the E-League Grand Final and a host of other football related events in a three-year deal, beginning in 2023.

The partnership between the Australian Professional Leagues (APL) and Destination NSW, the lead government agency for the NSW Tourism and Major Events sectors, is designed to develop an engaging Grand Final experience for football fans in Australia and New Zealand.

Danny Townsend, CEO of the APL, said: “The FIFA World Cup 2023 showed that we are a country of football fans and whet the region’s appetite for the FIFA Women’s World Cup next year. But fans don’t want to wait for four years in-between competitions to see our best sporting talent perform.

“Football fans now get the best of both worlds – they can now look forward to a showpiece Grand Final event in a set location, as well as watching A-Leagues and national team stars week-in-week-out at their local A-Leagues team.

“This is a unique opportunity to build a tradition for football fans. When you think about a cup final in England, you think about the trip to Wembley, and we want fans in Australia to look forward to the A-Leagues Grand Finals in the same way.

“We have already broken the previous record for attendance this season in the Liberty A-League Women and have set an objective to make history again with Grand Final attendance in the year that we host the FIFA Women’s World Cup.”

The A-Leagues move mirrors that of major football events around the world choosing a major city for their marquee events and working with it to develop a truly memorable experience for fans.

Minister for Tourism Ben Franklin said the addition of the A-Leagues Grand Finals to Sydney’s annual sporting events calendar would have significant benefits for NSW.

“As the nation’s home of football I am delighted to be partnering with the APL to bring the Men’s and Women’s A-Leagues Grand Finals to Sydney,” Mr Franklin said.

“Sydney is renowned for hosting world-class sporting events and we are going to create a new tradition for Australian football fans, making the Grand Finals a week-long extravaganza that showcases football and the best of the Harbour City.

“Tens of thousands of football fans are expected to flock to Sydney for the A-Leagues Grand Finals and are forecast to inject $26 million of visitor expenditure into NSW.

“This is another incredible addition to the already impressive calendar of world-class major events we are building for Sydney, which is a key pillar of our goal to make NSW the major events capital and premier visitor economy of the Asia Pacific.”

Minister for Sport Alister Henskens said as the state with the greatest footprint on the nation’s football landscape now was an exciting time to showcase the round ball game.

“With the FIFA Women’s World Cup coming and on the back of the Socceroos historic world cup in Qatar, football in Australia has never been stronger,” Mr Henskens said.

“NSW is home to the most clubs in the A-Leagues competition, with the greatest supporter base, most passionate fans, the highest level of football participation and the best football venues, including Australia’s largest rectangular football stadium.

“This new week-long football event will provide football and sports fans with an experience unique to all other codes and cement the A-League Grand Finals amongst the very best sporting events on our national sporting calendar.”

Danny Townsend said that between now and the Grand Finals on 30 April (Women’s), 27 May (ELeague), Saturday 3 June (Men’s), and the Dolan Warren Awards on Thursday 1 June, the priority for his commercial team was to work with the NSW Government to create a ‘must see’ experience for fans.

The marquee fixtures will be supported by a range of other football-related events and activities.

“We are working with transport and accommodation providers to develop special packages for travelling fans, including our Official Hotel Partner IHG who have committed to offer a special discounted rate to travelling fans. Because we have certainty about which city will be hosting the final from a long way out, we are able to build a ‘Festival of Football’ around these major events.”

The A-Leagues Grand Finals are proudly supported by the NSW Government through its tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW and Office of Sport.

APL previously partnered with Destination NSW for the return of the A-Leagues All Stars who took on FC Barcelona at Accor Stadium in front of 70,174 fans . . . the largest event crowd in NSW since 2019.

Minister’s Release: Bankwest secures naming rights to Western Sydney Stadium

Minister’s Release: Bankwest secures naming rights to Western Sydney Stadium

See the Bankwest Media Release here

Office of NSW Minister for Sport Stuart Ayres

Western Sydney Stadium will now be known as ‘Bankwest Stadium’ after a seven-year partnership between the NSW Government and Bankwest for naming-rights of Western Sydney’s newest purpose-built stadium was announced today.

NSW Minister for Sport and Minister for Western Sydney Stuart Ayres made the announcement at the Stadium today alongside Bankwest Managing Director Rowan Munchenberg.

“Bankwest has embraced the opportunity to be part of booming Western Sydney and the company’s commitment to the naming rights of the venue is a huge vote of confidence in both the future of the Stadium and the region,” Mr Ayres said.

“This deal is important for the Stadium to be financially self-sustaining, making sure there is no burden to taxpayers to cover ongoing running costs.

“Bankwest Stadium is a game changer for sports fans across Western Sydney.”

Managing Director Rowan Munchenberg said Bankwest was thrilled to support this critical piece of community infrastructure in the vibrant, diverse and growing corridor of Western Sydney.

“The Bankwest Stadium partnership sends a clear message to the people of Western Sydney that we’ll continue to invest in products and services that meet their needs,” Mr Muchenberg said.

“Our vision is to deliver amazing customer experiences that matter, which is strongly aligned to the vision of this stadium ‘to empower world-class fan experiences’.

Bankwest Stadium is on track and on budget, with a rapidly increasing calendar of events and activities in place for 2019 including;

  • 14 regular-season NRL games commencing with Parramatta Eels v Wests Tigers on Easter Monday;
  • Three home Super Rugby games for the NSW Waratahs;
  • Western Sydney Wanderers playing English club Leeds in July;
  • Downer Rugby League World Cup 9s in October.

Bankwest Stadium will also host a range of community events, as well as meetings, functions and other special events.

The Stadium is owned by Venues NSW on behalf of the NSW Government and operated by VenuesLive.

BANKWEST STADIUM FAST FACTS:

  • The Stadium will cater for bigger crowds, provide an improved game-day experience and bring major benefits to the Western Sydney economy;
  • Generate approximately 1,200 jobs during construction and between 600 and 900 jobs once operational for sporting event days and major events;
  • Offer improved facilities for spectators including high-quality food and beverage facilities, improved screens, and better function facilities;
  • Total budget of $360 million with Lendlease appointed as design and construction partner;
  • Early work commenced in June 2017 with major work commencing in September 2017;
  • 30,000 seats, all fully roof covered and closer to the action than ever before in Australia;
  • 3,000 premium seats and 54 suites;
  • Full Wi-Fi coverage throughout the stadium;
  • A 360-degree open concourse with views of the field of play so that fans won’t miss any of the action when buying food and drinks;
  • Two flexible function spaces with views of the field and the parklands beyond the stadium;
  • Facilities catering to the emerging female sports industry including four team change rooms, which means women’s games can be played before men’s games.

Eels v Tigers Easter Monday Blockbuster to be First Sporting Event at Western Sydney Stadium

Eels v Tigers Easter Monday Blockbuster to be First Sporting Event at Western Sydney Stadium

  • 30,000-seat Western Sydney Stadium to open in April 2019;
  • Fans closer to the action than ever before with the best sightlines of any rectangular stadium in the country;
  • A food & entertainment village outside the Stadium for fans to enjoy;
  • A free family and kids’ play area outside the Stadium;
  • New technology within the Stadium that will deliver an amazing audio and visual experience to enhance the game-day atmosphere and accentuate home-ground advantage.

Julian Keith & Nathan Davis

It’s Parramatta Eels v Wests Tigers on Easter Monday 22 April in a spectacular first NRL game at the magnificent Western Sydney Stadium.

The new 30,000-seat Stadium, featuring the steepest grandstands in Australia and offering a lively entertainment precinct, will host home games for three Sydney clubs in its debut season.

The Parramatta Eels, who have played out of the precinct since 1947, will host 9 home games at Western Sydney Stadium in 2019. With the Round 6 Easter Monday event poised to be a first-up sell-out for the new venue.

parramatta stadium outside venue with eels fans

In quick succession, the Eels then host the St George Illawarra Dragons on Sunday 5 May (4.05pm kick-off) in Round 8, the Penrith Panthers on Thursday 23 May (7.50pm) in Round 11 and the Rabbitohs on Friday 31 May (7.55pm) in Round 12.

Wests Tigers will play four home games at the new Stadium on top of the Easter Monday game, in which they are the away team.

View the full 2019 Telstra Premiership Draw here.

The Tigers play the Raiders on Friday 7 June (7.55pm) in Round 13, the Rabbitohs on Thursday 27 June in Round 15, the Roosters on Friday 5 July (7.35pm) in Round 16, before they host the Eels in a School Holidays special on Sunday 14 July (4pm).

The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs will play one home game at Western Sydney Stadium in season 2019 – against the Penrith Panthers on Saturday 3 August in Round 20.

The Bulldogs are keen to give their Members and supporters a taste of the new Western Sydney Stadium, which is likely to host more Bulldogs games while their traditional home ground ANZ Stadium is under redevelopment from 2020.

Western Sydney Stadium Welcomes the Parramatta Eels back home for 2019 and beyond

Western Sydney Stadium Welcomes the Parramatta Eels Home for 2019

MINISTERIAL MEDIA RELEASE

The Parramatta Eels will not only call Western Sydney Stadium home in 2019, but they will be the first side to run onto the state-of-the-art stadium when they take to the field over the Easter long weekend.

Minister for Sport and Minister for Western Sydney Stuart Ayres today joined Parramatta Eels CEO Bernie Gurr to announce the Eels have finalised commercial agreements with VenuesLive to play at their brand new home next season.

“Eels fans should be counting down the days to the opening of Western Sydney Stadium which will revolutionise the visitor experience by bringing fans closer to the action than any other sporting precinct in Australia,” Mr Ayres said.

“The Eels are one of the great sporting clubs with one of the biggest supporter bases in the NRL and they will be the first to experience game day at the brand new 30,000-seat stadium which will be the best in the country when it opens.

“VenuesLive, on behalf of Venues NSW, has now negotiated agreements with sporting teams including the Eels, the Wests Tigers and the NSW Waratahs, as well as securing a blockbuster line up of exciting events for the new Western Sydney Stadium.”

Parramatta Eels CEO Bernie Gurr said “We are extremely pleased to have reached this stage and announce Western Sydney Stadium as our new home.

“We believe that Western Sydney Stadium will provide our Members and commercial partners with an outstanding game day experience and will also contribute to the Club’s financial stability.

“We would like to thank VenuesLive for constructive dialogue and helping us to give our Members and fans an outcome ahead of the 2019 NRL draw being announced.”

Read the Parramatta Eels media release here 

Super Rugby Heads West as Waratahs Confirm Three Games at Western Sydney Stadium

Super Rugby Heads West as Waratahs Confirm Three Games at Western Sydney Stadium

Rugby fans and supporters in Western Sydney received a boost today with the announcement that the NSW Waratahs will play three Super Rugby matches in the region in 2019.

The new Western Sydney Stadium will be the venue for three of the team’s competition matches – against the Sharks (South Africa), Jaguares (Argentina) and a local Aussie derby against the Brumbies.

Rugby followers in the area can snap up a special 3-match membership deal from $55 for the games in Parramatta. Additionally, all junior players who register with their club next year will receive a free 2019 NSW Waratahs season membership.

NSW Rugby CEO Andrew Hore said the new facility in Western Sydney provided a great opportunity to showcase the sport at its best to the local area and the international markets where rugby is played.

“Western Sydney is one of the fastest growing regions in NSW with a diverse population that has a strong passion for rugby. We want to capitalise on this and by taking the NSW Waratahs to that region it will hopefully further encourage more youngsters to take up the sport.

“This also aligns with our broader Western Sydney strategy that has looked specifically at the needs of the area to grow the game and encourage participation and fan engagement.

“The fact that we will be one of the first sports to play at the newly developed, state-of-the-art Western Sydney Stadium is a real opportunity for our fans and rugby participants in Western Sydney.

“We want to continue to grow and develop the sport in that area and the fact that the NSW Waratahs will play three matches there next year will certainly help us towards that goal,” Hore said.

Minister for Sport Stuart Ayres said Western Sydney Stadium is set to give fans an experience unlike anything they have seen before.

“No longer taken for granted, no longer second best, Western Sydney is now leading the way when it comes to sporting infrastructure and we welcome the NSW Waratahs to this fantastic new facility,” Mr Ayres said.

“By showcasing our talented NSW Waratahs in Western Sydney, we will show our younger players the pathway to the top, right in their backyard.”

NSW Waratahs prop Shambeckler Vui, who was born in Bankstown, also welcomed the team’s commitment to play in Western Sydney.

“The Western Sydney area is special to me and to have the opportunity to play at a brand new stadium not far from where I was born is awesome.

“If our presence here can help more kids see what a great game rugby is and the chances you get through the sport, then I’ll be a happy man,” Vui said.

For a third season in a row, ticket prices for all home games will remain the same.

“It is important for us that the games are affordable for our supporters and hence the decision to not increase the ticket prices,” Hore said.

Additionally, all junior players who register with their club in 2019 will once again receive a NSW Waratahs season membership, which will give them free access to all home games next year. If every registered junior player in NSW takes up the offer, this equates to an investment of $1-million.

The three matches in 2019 are: 

Waratahs v Sharks

Waratahs v Jaguars 

Waratahs v Brumbies

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