 History
Creating the place where the greatest things happen
ANZ Stadium was officially opened in 1999 more than a year ahead of the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games.
Primarily designed as the main Stadium and centrepiece of the Sydney 2000 Olympic and Paralympic Games, ANZ Stadium was the jewel in a major urban renewal project unveiled in what is now known as Sydney Olympic Park.
Initially the Stadium had a seating capacity of more than 110,000, which made it the largest Olympic stadium in history and at that time the largest stadium in Australia.
In 2002, an $80 million reconfiguration reduced ANZ Stadium 's capacity from 110,000 to 83,500.
The open tiered upper stands at the north and south ends of the Stadium were demolished and the lower stands were moved closer to the centre of the ground by 15 metres.
Roofs over the North and South ends were completed by 2003.
The lower sections of the stands on the east and west ends of the ground were designed so that they are able to be automatically moved closer to the centre of the ground by 15 metres depending upon the type of event being hosted.
This allowed ANZ Stadium to be reconfigured from rectangular mode to oval mode in 12 hours. Thus, the Stadium is unique in the world in regularly hosting four brands of football.
ANZ Stadium has a capacity of 82,500 in oval mode for AFL & cricket. In oval mode, 68,500 seats (83.5% of all seats) are under cover.
ANZ Stadium has a capacity of 83,500 in rectangular mode for league, union & football. In rectangular mode, 65,500 seats (78.5% of all seats) are under cover.
Since commencing operation in 1999, more than 10 million people have attended events at the Stadium.
Events held at the Stadium have ranged from the Olympic and Paralympic Games, rugby union, rugby league, Australian football and soccer through to American football, extreme sports, motorcycle speedway and concerts. In February 2003, the Stadium hosted its first cricket match.
|
|
|