Everything You Need To Know For Origin Game 2 At ANZ Stadium

By Crystelle Cordero

ORIGIN. It’s a rivalry like no other. And this year’s series will be one for the record books, marking the 40^th Anniversary of Origin, as Brad Fittler’s Blues chase a historic 3-peat . . . having won the 2018 and 2019 series.

The Ampol State of Origin blockbuster at Stadium Australia is one of the most anticipated sporting events of 2020 and guaranteed to deliver action-packed, high-intensity rivalry. So get out your Blues gear and get ready to cheer on NSW!

The NRL will work closely with the NSW Government and Stadium to implement a COVID Safe plan to ensure a safe environment for the event.

Stadium Australia will be operating at 50% capacity with around 40,000 fans expected at Origin, in line with NSW Public Health Orders.

The Sydney Olympic Park precinct will come alive from 5pm with extensions to The Brewery, The Locker Room, and The Lounge, and a host of food truck options for everyone to enjoy before gates open at 6pm.

Here is everything you need to know to ensure you have an unforgettable night at Origin II.

WHAT TIME DOES IT START?       

• 5pm: Pre-Origin celebrations kick off outside Stadium Australia
• 6pm: Gates Open
• 7.15pm: Pre-game entertainment begins
• 8:10pm: Ampol State of Origin II kick-off

THE PRE-GAME PARTY

From 5pm on Wednesday fans are invited to Sydney Olympic Park for a celebration of food, drink and all things New South Wales. 

Fans can hit the entertainment area in Cathy Freeman Park with the Locker Room Hotel and ever-popular Brewery both boasting extensions, as well as “Eat Street” along Dawn Fraser Avenue and an abundance of food trucks operating outside Stadium Australia.

More than 20 cafes, bars and restaurants will be open both before AND after the game in Sydney Olympic Park which will have you covered for a feed any time of day. 

COVID Safe protocols will be in place throughout Sydney Olympic Park.

TRANSPORT & GETTING TO THE VENUE

With stadium capacities increasing and 40,000 people expected to attend the Ampol State of Origin Game II at Stadium Australia, fans are encouraged to consider all the available travel options ahead of time as public transport continues to operate at a reduced capacity to maintain physical distancing across the network.

Fans are urged to drive with their group and take advantage of the discounted parking flat rate of $20 at Sydney Olympic Park car parks. Parking will be in high demand on the night so pre-book your parking online, available until 11:59pm Tuesday 10 November, to guarantee yourself a space. Traffic approaching Olympic Park will be heavy during the evening peak so allow extra travel time on the roads.

If catching public transport, plan ahead at transportnsw.info and aim to arrive early as weeknight services will already be busy during the evening peak. Remember to use your Opal card or a contactless payment method.

Express trains to Olympic Park will leave Central regularly from 4:40pm. Trains from the west will run regularly to Lidcombe where you can change for shuttle trains to Olympic Park. Some additional services from the west will also run direct to Olympic Park. After the game, frequent express trains will run back to Central and Blacktown until late.

Sydney Olympic Park Major Event buses will also be running on all routes with services starting from 3:40pm, depending on the route, with return services after full-time.

Check real-time capacity indicators where available as you may need to wait for the next service with available physical distancing capacity. Remember to practise physical distancing when on-board transport services and to look for the ‘green dots’ to find the safest places to sit or stand. Wearing a face mask while travelling on public transport is strongly recommended and fans are encouraged to keep their face masks on until they reach their seats inside the stadium.

Transport services will be busy, especially after the game, so be patient and allow extra time getting home. There’ll be additional measures and staff in place around transport hubs and Stadium Australia to safely manage crowds leaving the game. Please be patient, practise physical distancing while in queues and follow the directions of staff on site.

After the game, avoid the queues for transport services and wait times leaving car parks by enjoying the post-match show from your seats, including match stats, player interviews and more – all shown on the big screens. You can also continue to purchase food and beverage from outlets in the stadium or enjoy the dining options available outside the stadium that will remain open after the game.

STAYING COVID SAFE

Please stay home if you have been feeling unwell, have been in contact with anyone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19, or is awaiting the results of a COVID-19 test (including yourself).

If you are a resident or recent visitor in a COVID-19 hotspot over the last 14 days, or have visited any of the venues listed on the NSW Health website here in the designated time period, do not attend the event.

Fans are strongly encouraged to wear face masks when entering the stadium and moving around the venue, including whilst buying food and beverages and using the bathroom facilities and are reminded to maintain physical distancing of 1.5m at all times, other than when with your immediate group.

With Stadium capacity increasing to 50 per cent – in line with NSW Government Health Orders – fans should be aware there will be more people attending Wednesday’s event than there has been in recent months. Whether in the Members’ areas, general supporter areas or in Corporate Suites, boxes or function spaces, all guests are encouraged to be aware of their personal space while staying tolerant of those in close proximity.

Seating will be allocated using a checkerboard system, ensuring seats directly in front and behind each group remain empty in order to maintain physical distancing.

While in the venue please remain seated at all times unless buying food and beverage or using the bathrooms. As per NSW Health Orders, fans must be seated when consuming alcohol.

There will be no cash facilities at the Stadium. All transactions will be by contactless card.

The NSW Government has introduced COVID Safe QR Code check-in using the Service NSW App. QR Codes will be place in all private suites and lounges, and in areas of the general seating bowl, with fans encouraged to participate and help keep everyone COVID Safe. 

Stadium Australia continues to work closely with NSW Health, the NRL, Transport for NSW and Venues NSW to ensure the venue is COVIDSafe, and to facilitate a smooth transition to and from the event

SAFETY AND SECURITY AT ANZ STADIUM

Public safety is our No.1 priority at Stadium Australia.

The Stadium works closely with NSW Police and other authorities to ensure everyone’s safety at all events.

A high NSW Police and Security presence will be in place for Origin, both inside Stadium Australia and throughout the Sydney Olympic Park precinct before, during and after the event.

Fans are encouraged to arrive early and leave additional time for the security screening process when entering the Stadium. This process will include mandatory bag searches and personal checks.

Only small bags (no larger than 30cm x 40cm) are permitted into Stadium Australia for events, and all bags will be checked by security. Fans should arrive without bags if possible.

See something/Say something: Please report any unusual or suspicious behaviour or unattended items to Customer Service staff, Police or Security.

Thank you for helping us provide a safe environment for this great event.

Enjoy the game!