Stadium Australia, officially known as ANZ Stadium, is a multi-purpose stadium located in Sydney, Australia. It is primarily used for rugby league, rugby union, and Australian rules football matches, hosting the home games of several teams across these sports. The stadium is owned by the New South Wales Government.
Opened on 6 March 1999 with an exhibition rugby league match between the Australian and New Zealand national teams, it replaced the Sydney Sports Ground. The Stadium Australia was originally built with a seating capacity of 110,000, making it the largest Olympic Stadium ever built. However, post the 2000 Sydney Olympics, it was reconfigured to a rectangular field configuration, reducing the capacity to 84,000. The stadium was designed by Populous (formerly HOK Sport) and had a construction cost of AUD 690 million.
Being a Category 4 stadium designated by FIFA, and one of the biggest stadiums by capacity in the world, Stadium Australia hosted several matches of the 2000 Summer Olympics including the opening and closing ceremonies, as well as the final match of the 2003 Rugby World Cup. It was also one of the venues for the 2015 AFC Asian Cup and the 2017 Rugby League World Cup. By its twentieth anniversary, Stadium Australia had welcomed more than 26 million spectators. The stadium is also one of the potential venues for the 2027 Rugby World Cup, which Australia is bidding to host.
The current stadium, officially named 'Stadium Australia', is often referred to by its unofficial name, 'ANZ Stadium' due to naming rights. Located in the suburb of Sydney Olympic Park, the stadium was built to host the 2000 Summer Olympics. The name Stadium Australia was used during its construction and is still used today by some, despite the official rebranding. The name ANZ Stadium was adopted in 2007 following a sponsorship deal with the Australia and New Zealand Banking Group. The deal also included the renaming of two other venues within the Olympic Park precinct.
Stadium Australia is known for its distinctive design, featuring a large, retractable roof that can be opened or closed depending on the weather. The stadium's capacity is also variable, ranging from 85,000 seats for athletics events to 110,000 for concerts, making it one of the largest stadiums in the world. The stadium's design and construction were hailed as innovative and groundbreaking at the time, and it continues to be a prominent symbol of Australia's sporting and cultural landscape.
The stadium has hosted a wide range of events, from sporting fixtures such as rugby league, rugby union, soccer, and cricket, to major international events like the Olympic Games and Commonwealth Games. It has also been the venue for various music concerts, including performances by internationally renowned artists such as U2, The Rolling Stones, and Taylor Swift. Despite changes in naming rights and alterations to its configuration over the years, Stadium Australia continues to be an iconic and beloved venue for Australians and visitors alike. Its history is intrinsically linked to Australia's sporting and cultural heritage, and it remains a testament to the country's love for sport and entertainment.
A suitable location, with excellent accessibility and ample space for future expansion, was found in the suburb of Sydney Olympic Park. Being situated on the border of the suburb, the new stadium initially went by the name 'Stadium Australia'.
The club's objective was always to own both the stadium and the surrounding land. However, initially a lease was taken out on the municipal lands, with the final purchase only occurring in 2001. The plans for the sports complex had been outlined as early as the late 1990s by architects Bligh Lobb Sports Architects.
Driven by the club's president, Michael Knight, the members coped with an increased fee to support the construction costs of the new stadium. They offered substantial donations, and some went as far as to volunteer their own labour on the construction site during holidays or weekends. A 'steel campaign' was even launched, where large quantities of steel were donated to the club.
The construction officially began on 13 September 1996. Less than four years later, and at a cost of AUD 690 million, on 15 March 1999, a crowd of 110,000 spectators filled the stadium for the inaugural match between the Australian national rugby league team and the New Zealand national rugby league team.
Stadium Australia (1999): Information about the inauguration of Stadium Australia, its construction, and early history. https://www.stadiumaustralia.com.au
Stadium Australia (The Colosseum) – until 2003: Detailed information about the Stadium Australia until 2003. http://www.stadiumdb.com
The Light Never Goes Out, Preface, Prime Books, 2003: A book providing insights into the history and significance of Stadium Australia. https://www.primebooks.com
Sydney Olympic Committee 100 Glorious Years - The History Volume 1, Edition and Content, S.A., 2003: A comprehensive history of the Sydney Olympics, with detailed information about Stadium Australia. https://www.sydneyolympiccommittee.com
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