Sydney’s $828 million Football Stadium will shut down for urgent turf remediation following the Wallabies’ clash with Argentina on September 13, but Premier Chris Minns has assured the public that taxpayers won’t bear the cost.
The venue, located in Moore Park and home to Sydney FC, the Sydney Roosters, and the NSW Waratahs, has faced persistent drainage issues since its 2022 rebuild. A recent report revealed contamination in the drainage layer, causing the field to retain water and disrupt play. The problem has worsened over the past year, prompting a full turf replacement and a 10-week closure.
Sydney FC will be hit hardest, with the A-League club forced to relocate its opening fixtures for the October season start. The club described the move as “hugely disruptive” and “financially detrimental,” but said it is working with Venues NSW to reduce the impact on fans and partners.
Premier Minns acknowledged the frustration, saying the stadium’s condition was “not up to scratch” and had affected team performance. “It’s one of the best stadiums in the countrypossibly the world and the playing surface needs to reflect that,” he said.
While the final repair costs remain unconfirmed, Minns stated the government and Venues NSW believe the fault lies in the original construction. “The understanding is it’s still under warranty,” he said. “It’s a brand-new stadium, and we expect the builder to fix it.”
Following the turf replacement, the stadium will host international artist Kendrick Lamar in December, after which new grass will be laid for upcoming A-League matches.
Sydney FC reiterated the importance of a world-class playing surface, calling it “paramount” to maintaining professional standards.
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