Add Category
Loading
If the new stadium does not include that, the Sky Blues could be tempted to play move many of their regular-season games to suburban grounds when their tenancy agreement ends in 2027.
“At the end of our current venue hiring agreement, we will be assessing the best option for our club," Sydney FC chief Danny Townsend said. "At the end of any given tenure you explore your options, and that is what we will do."
The club has spent the past two seasons playing the core of their home games at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium in Kogarah and Leichhardt Oval. While neither venue is centrally located, they have proven popular with fans, coaches and players with Sydney FC enjoying a 11-game winning streak in Kogarah - the longest of any at a single venue in the A-League.
Sydney attracted their largest crowd of the season for the top-of-the-table clash with City on Sunday, drawing more than 17,000 to Netstrata Stadium. However an attendance of that size in a 45,000-seater venue would equate to just over a third full.
In the event of the new stadium not featuring a curtain or multi-attendance mode, Sydney FC will use their four seasons at the new venue to assess where their future is best served. What bodes well for the club at Moore Park is confirmation the new arena will have Australia's largest safe-standing section. Up to 2,500 active supporters will be accommodated in the safe-standing section in the north end of the new venue, almost double the size of the safe-standing zone at Bankwest Stadium.
However, if the lack of atmosphere is deemed unnacceptable by Sydney FC supporters by 2027, the club could then look to move home games to Leichhardt or Kogarah and potentially negotiate facility upgrades at either of those venues. In particular, a lack of corporate facilities and covered seating are the biggest drawbacks of those suburban grounds.
Full house: a crowd of 17,000 turned up for Sydney FC's game against Melbourne City at Netstrata Stadium on Sunday.Credit:AAP
Inner West Council Mayor Darcy Byrne acknowledged Leichhardt Oval needs significant redevelopment, in particular its corporate facilities, but would welcome Sydney FC bringing more games to the venue.
"Turning Leichhardt Oval sky blue for the past two seasons has been a roaring success. We'd love to have Sydney FC playing at the eight wonder of the world on a permanent basis," he said. "With the NRL changing its tune on suburban grounds, I can see the state and federal governments investing with council to upgrade Leichhardt Oval and secure its future as centre of rugby league, soccer and rugby union for decades to come."