Stadium Australia
- New South Wales Blues (Rugby League, since 1999)
- Canterbury - Bankstown Bulldogs (Rugby League, since 1999)
- South Sydney Rabbitohs (Rugby League, since 2006)
- Sydney Swans (Australian Football since 2001)
- New South Wales Waratahs (Rugby Union since 2009)
- Sydney Thunder ( Cricket, from 2012)
- Wests Tigers (Rugby League, 2005-2008)
- New South Wales Blues (cricket, 2008-2011)
- St George Illawarra Dragons (Rugby League, 2008)
- Summer Olympic Games 2000
- Summer 2000 Paralympics
- Rugby Union World Cup 2003
- Finals of the National Rugby League
- Opening service of the XXIII. World Youth Day
- Concerts
The ANZ Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium in Sydney Olympic Park. As the main stadium for the 2000 Summer Olympics, it was called Stadium Australia. From 2002 to December 2007, it was called the Telstra Stadium of the Australian communications company Telstra.
It is located in Homebush, a suburb in the west of Sydney. The stadium was built as an Olympic stadium for the Olympic summer games in 2000 and finished in March 1999.
Originally was the seating capacity of 110,000. After the major events in 2000, the stadium between October 2001 and October 2003, was rebuilt. Located behind the two in the upper tier were demolished and the curves covered with asphalt roofing. After the stadium was rebuilt between October 2001 and October 2003, found in an oval pitch only 81,500 spectators. If the field is converted to a rectangle, the capacity can be expanded to 83,500.
Architectural History
For the design of the stadium the architects Bligh Lobb Sports Architects was responsible. The cost for the construction of the stadium, which took place between September 1996 and March 1999 amounted to almost 700 million Australian dollars.
After the Olympic Games began in October 2001, an adaptation of the stadium, which cost around 80 million Australian dollars again. Main point of the conversion work was the application of an oval playing field, as it is needed for Australian football and cricket. The roof has been extended and the official seating capacity reduced from 110,000 to 80,000.
Sporting history
The sporting history of the stadium can be divided into three sections. First, the beginnings up to the Olympics, then the games themselves and the last phase of the stadium renovation.
At the opening on March 6, 1999, two rugby league games of the National Rugby League took place. The games against Newcastle Knights Manly Warringah Sea Eagles, Parramatta Eels and St George Illawarra Dragons pursued against 104 583 viewers, a new world record meant. Officially follow the opening in June 1999 with a match of the Australian national football team against a FIFA All-Star selection.
On August 7, 1999 preseason game of the National Football League was held. The Denver Broncos played the San Diego Chargers. It was the first and to date, only American Bowl game, which was played in Australia. The saving on the opening day attendance record for a rugby league match was a few times improved as a result. The currently held by this stadium record was set in 2000 and amounts to 109 874 spectators.
Summer Olympic Games 2000
The ANZ Stadium was under the name Stadium Australia, the Olympic Stadium, the Olympic Summer Games 2000. With the official seating capacity of 110,000 spectators, it was the largest Olympic Stadium ever. In it, the opening and closing ceremony was held. In addition, it was the venue for the competitions in athletics and the final match of the soccer tournament. The final between Cameroon and Spain was watched by 104,098 viewers. With 112 524 spectators was the fourth day of the athletics competitions of the best attended this sport. The record in these Olympic Games was set up at the closing ceremony with 114 714. It was the largest number of audience in this stadium ever and 2000 was not exceeded even after the end of the Summer Olympics. As a result, even the Summer Paralympics were held in 2000.
After the conversion
On October 26, 2002 took place at the Telstra Stadium instead of in the Speedway World Cup single of the Speedway World Championship Grand Prix of Australia.
After the conversion work was the ANZ Stadium, one of the venues for the Rugby Union World Cup 2003., Where the semi-finals and finals were held. In the final, the Australian team defeated the English.
On 16 November 2005, the playoff second leg in order to participate in the Football World Cup 2006 in Germany between the winners of the Oceania qualifying, Australia, and the fifth the South American qualifiers, Uruguay, held at ANZ Stadium. The first leg won Uruguay 1-0, the return match ended with the opposite result. Thus it came to the penalty shootout, which won the Australian 4-2.
Regularly scheduled sporting events
The National Rugby League held their finals at ANZ Stadium. In addition, the stadium is used by the teams Wests Tigers, Canterbury Bulldogs and South Sydney Rabbitohs as a venue for home matches. Even the games of the Rugby League State of Origin between the states of New South Wales and Queensland will take place in this stadium. In addition, the Sydney Swans use the stadium as a venue for some of their home games in the Australian Football League.
Events
The ANZ Stadium is also used as a venue for concerts and other events. Already on 25 February 1998 were U2 on their Popmart tour, and on 10, 11 and 13 November 2006 to their Vertigo tour there on. Besides playing in this stadium already the Rolling Stones. On 15 July 2008 was the opening Mass of the XXIII. World Youth Day held in the stadium.