28 Million Fans Take A Seat In History As ANZ Stadium Celebrates 20 Years Of Events

Image: Opening night . . . more than 104,000 fans pack in to Sydney’s new Olympic Stadium for the opening event in March 1999. Picture courtesy Daily Telegraph.

Arthur Stanley and Crystelle Cordero

20 YEARS. 28 million fans. Many of Australia’s greatest sport and entertainment events.

The roll-call of memorable moments continues to grow at Stadium Australia as Sydney’s major events stadium celebrates its 20-year milestone this week.

It was 6 March 1999 when 104,583 fans packed in to Sydney’s Olympic Stadium to attend the historic first event . . .  an NRL double-header: Manly v Newcastle and Parramatta v St George Illawarra. The world-record rugby league crowd watched the action unfold in what was then the grandest Olympic stadium anyone had ever seen.

20 years on, Stadium Australia stands as an icon of the new millennium and an enduring symbol of Sydney’s coming of age as a global city.  The 2000 Olympic Games were transformational for Sydney, and Stadium Australia is a legacy that exists for fans, athletes, entertainers and the community.

As a grand stage for many of the nation’s biggest events, Stadium Australia has attracted record attendances for rugby league, rugby union, AFL, football, and music and entertainment events.

The highest attendance at the Stadium was the 112,524 who packed in on 25 September 2000 – the night Cathy Freeman raced in to Australian sporting immortality.

The highest attendance in the current Stadium Australia configuration was the 98,364 who attended the Saturday evening Adele concert in 2017, while for a sporting event in the current configuration the highest attendance was the 83,833 who turned out for the 2014 NRL Grand Final between the South Sydney Rabbitohs and Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs.

Every time fans walk through the gate – whether they be from the nearest suburb, regional NSW, interstate or overseas – they are contributing to the State and the economy.

Stadium Australia employs more than 100 fulltime staff members and approximately 1800 casual workers. More than half of this workforce resides in Western Sydney.

Eighteen members of the pioneer permanent team and 45 casual employees have been part of the Stadium journey since 1999.

Stadium Australia CEO Daryl Kerry was among the pioneer team that opened the Stadium in 1999.

“We have all witnessed many memorable sporting and entertainment moments at the Stadium over 20 years, but the Stadium is much more than bricks and mortar,” Mr Kerry said.

“I’d like to thank the NSW Government and Venues NSW for recognising the important role the Stadium plays in our wonderful community.

“I would also like to acknowledge the Consortium and the people who were part of that Consortium who won the right to design, build and operate the Stadium.

“We need to thank the Stadium Club Members and the Corporate Clients, many of whom have been part of the Stadium’s journey over 20 years.

“I’d like to acknowledge our event partners – the sporting codes and clubs who have worked with us and allowed us to stage their events – and also our commercial partners. They have all been fundamental to our journey over 20 years

“To the staff who have contributed day and night to the success of the Stadium . . . your dedication and professionalism has been greatly appreciated. That extends to the thousands of casual staff members who have helped us run more than 50 events each year; you too have played an important role.

“Finally, I would like to thank the 28 million people who have walked through the turnstiles to be part of the journey of this Stadium . . . to each and every one of you, thank you for your passion and sense of fun that has helped make the Stadium’s journey so memorable.”

Image: 20 years of Blood, Sweat & Cheers . . . the artwork mural on the front windows of Stadium Australia recognising the milestone. Stadium artwork: Senses Direct.

To recognise the 20-year milestone in 2019, a large mural showcasing the Stadium’s most memorable moments over 20 years has been posted on the front windows of Stadium Australia. Keep an eye out for it at upcoming events.

Produced by Parramatta-based company Senses Direct, the spectacular artwork features unforgettable events that have become part of part of Australia’s sporting folklore.

There’s Cathy Freeman’s dash that unified the nation, the John Aloisi penalty shootout heart-stopper that broke the Socceroos’ 32-year World Cup hoodoo, the exhilaration and despair of the 2003 Rugby World Cup final, the Sharks and the Rabbitohs winning breakthrough NRL titles, and so many legends created in the heat of battle in Grand Finals, Origin showdowns, Bledisloe Cup Test matches and Socceroos internationals.

Global music acts such as U2, AC/DC, Adele and Ed Sheeran are also recognised on the artwork.

The Stadium’s journey has been Sydney’s journey . . . and the 28 million people who have passed through the turnstiles since the doors opened on 6 March 1999 have all taken a seat in history.