Telstra Stadium

Telstra Stadium's permanent seating capacity will be 83,500 for this Saturday's Bledisloe Cup match between the Wallabies and the All Blacks.

Rugby Union fans will be the first beneficiaries of the additional seating as a result of new seating at the northern end of the Stadium and the installation of extra seating in the mid tier.

Following a building inspection today, Telstra Stadium has received the 'green light' for the extra seating to go on sale at 9.00am Tuesday 22 July, 2003.

Telstra Stadium's Chief Executive, Mr Ken Edwards, said he was pleased that fans can immediately benefit from the Stadium's increased capacity.

"The Bledisloe Cup match is one of the most popular matches held at Telstra Stadium each year and we are delighted that more seats can go on sale to the public," said Mr Edwards.

"The extra seating is part of Telstra Stadium's $80 million post-Olympic Games reconfiguration program which is fast drawing to a conclusion.

"The new level 3 north deck will provide some great additional seating although some facilities on the new seating level may not be fully operational for this Saturday's game.

However, the Stadium will ensure that patrons will still have easy access to adequate food and beverage outlets in close proximity to their seating.

The increased capacity will also result in additional tickets being made available for the Swans v Collingwood AFL blockbuster on 23 August, the NRL Grand Final on October 5 and for all seven Rugby World Cup games at the Stadium, including the opening game on October 10 between Australia and Argentina and the RWC Final on November 22.

Mr Edwards said the extra seating also offered additional incentive for one-day cricket internationals to be played at the Stadium in the future.