Allianz Stadium to be Jump Started as Sydney Stadium Battle Intensifies

The long running stadium war in Sydney will soon be settled with the Berejiklian Government set to announce that Allianz Stadium will be demolished and rebuilt first and then ANZ Stadium shortly thereafter.

Allianz Stadium in Moore Park will be demolished next year and rebuilt by 2019 with a capacity of 45,000 -- and ANZ, at Olympic Park, demolished in 2019 and reconfigured by 2021 with a reduced capacity to 75,000 and a rectangular redesign.

The plan being pushed by Sports Minister Stuart Ayres with the backing of Premier Gladys Berejiklian could be put to cabinet this week.

The NSW Premier has previously set aside $1.6 billion to upgrade both stadiums but has indicated more funds could be available if needed, taking the total up to $1.8 billion.

$360 million has already been committed to the new 30,000 Western Sydney Stadium at Parramatta which is currently under construction and expected to open in 2019.

The stadium wars have seen rival codes square off against each other in the race for stadium upgrades and have also seen disputes within the codes themselves. NSW stadiums have been under pressure to modernise following a raft of new stadiums emerging around Australia.

The Australian Rugby Union and A-League club Sydney FC have been pressing hard for 31-year-old Allianz Stadium to be redeveloped first over concerns it is not meeting modern safety standards and falling well behind in spectator comfort. Sydney FC chief executive Danny Townsend has said that Sydney FC “plays in the worst stadium in the A-League.”

The National Rugby League and its chief executive Todd Greenberg however have been conducting a campaign to get ANZ Stadium rebuilt first.

David Gallop, Football Federation Australia chief executive, is firmly behind ANZ stadium being rebuilt as soon as possible particularly with the prospect of more major international football fixtures being held in Sydney.

The funding for the upgrades is coming from the $2.6 billion sale of the Land and Property Information Service.

The NSW opposition have voiced their strong disapproval to the amount of money being allocated to the two stadiums and in particular on Allianz Stadium.

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