ANZ Stadium redevelopment plans to lure World Cup Final
Sydney's ANZ Stadium is planning a $150 million makeover including a roof and improved seating in a bid to lure the FIFA World Cup Final should Australia win the rights to host the event in 2018 or 2022.
The renders show how the Homebush venue would be transformed into a rectangular venue for football's showpiece, with a roof over the stadium and an extra 7000 seats, increasing the ground's capacity to 90,000.
The high-tech, retractable and transparent roof, would be the first of its kind in the southern hemisphere and would protect fans from the elements and let natural light filter through.
Moveable northern and southern grandstand tiers would bring fans behind the goals up closer to the action, instead of being seated in the existing curved ends that are required for oval sports.
At rugby league events, fans are currently seated 23m from the dead-ball line. With the revamp, spectators at each end would be only 5m from the line. It is understood the revolutionary pivoting tiers technology would allow the end grandstands to retract for AFL and cricket.
The draft master plan developed for the 10-year-old stadium aims to create a better atmosphere for fans, improve player facilities and give regular tenants - league, union, AFL and cricket - more corporate and commercial opportunities.
The ANZ plans are just the latest reports from what has turned into a showdown between New South Wales and Victoria as to who would host the final of the world's largest sporting event.
It's generally though either ANZ Stadium or the Melbourne Cricket Ground would host the final. The Homebush venue, which currently seats 83,500 but may be upgraded to 90,000, is located 17km west of the Sydney CBD, while the 100,000-seat MCG is located within a short walking distance from the heart of Melbourne.
