Mariners confirm new partnership with Central Coast Stadium
The Central Coast Mariners have announced a new official partnership with Central Coast Stadium, locking in A-League football at the Gosford venue until at least 2026.
The deal will see the A-League club play a minimum of 12 men’s home games and every women’s home game at Central Coast Stadium through until at least the 2025/26 season.
Central Coast Mariners CEO Shaun Mielekamp said the new three-year deal with stadium operator VenuesLive would ensure that Mariners players and fans continue to enjoy the best sporting facilities and event-day experience on NSW’s Central Coast.
“Our Central Coast Mariners Members and supporters are guaranteed at least 12 home matches of A-League Men’s football each season along with every Mariners A-League Women’s home game when our team enters the Liberty A-League Women’s competition from the 2023/24 season,” Mr Mielekamp said.
“We are working closely with VenuesLive and this new partnership also means that the Mariners will benefit from the overall success of the stadium going forward, which is a really positive outcome for our club.”
Mielekamp said the stadium partnership was further great news for the Central Coast Mariners, following the confirmation that the club will field a team in the A-League Women’s competition next season.
“This is a very exciting time not only for our club but the entire Central Coast community. Every young footballer on the Central Coast can now see a pathway from grassroots all the way through to the national teams without having to leave their home on the Coast,” he said.
“Playing at Central Coast Stadium is integral to everything that we are passionate about as a club. VenuesLive and the Mariners are focused on making the stadium accessible to everyone and building the event-day experience into something that is very special for families and football fans on the Coast.
“We now have designated change rooms for men’s and women’s football, a fantastic playing surface and, of course, stunning views. Our club and the Central Coast region have got things that other clubs just can’t buy.”
As the primary tenant of the stadium, the A-League club had previously sought management rights for Central Coast Stadium after the council, which had operated the venue since 2014, opened a tender for the rights moving forward. It was eventually awarded to VenuesLive earlier this year – who also operate Accor Stadium, CommBank Stadium and Optus Stadium.
Central Coast Stadium Venue Manager Kath Casey said the Central Coast Mariners had become part of the sporting and social fabric of the region since entering the A-League as one of the foundation clubs.
“We are excited for the opportunity to work in partnership with the Mariners,” Ms Casey said.
“The Mariners, in so many ways, are the heart and soul of sport in our region and the Stadium is the hub of elite sport and entertainment on the Coast.
“We can all look forward to seeing the Mariners’ men’s and women’s teams playing at our paradise well into the future.
“At VenuesLive, we recognise the opportunity we have to make a positive impact on our community and we are committed to elevating the event-day experience while delivering positive outcomes for both the Mariners and the Central Coast region.”
