The ANZ Bank’s naming rights sponsorship of Sydney’s Stadium Australia, the venue for the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2000 Olympic Games, has come to an end.
Known as ANZ Stadium since 2008, and Telstra Stadium from 2002 to 2007, the venue has now transitioned back to its original name, Stadium Australia.
ANZ Bank first announced its naming rights deal in December 2017, following the Diversified Infrastructure Trust, an investment trust owned by ANZ subsidiary the Infrastructure Capital Group Ltd (ICG), having acquired the venue in April of that year.
Reported to be worth around $31.5 million over seven years, the deal was renewed in 2014 and again in 2017.
ICG then sold the venue to the NSW Government in its entirety as of 1st July 2016.
The venue is unlikely to remain as Stadium Australia, with Australasian Leisure Management being advised by a spokesperson for the venue that we “will go to market for a new sponsor on the recovery side of the pandemic”.
Built to host the 2000 Sydney Olympics, the first sporting event held at the venue was on 6th March 1999 when a then-record rugby league football crowd of 104,583 watched the NRL first round double-header, featuring Newcastle v Manly and Parramatta v St George Illawarra Dragons.
Image: Stadium Australia hosting Adele in 2017.
About the author
Nigel Benton
Co-founder/Publisher, Australasian Leisure Management
Born in the English county of Dorset, Nigel Benton is the co-founder and Publisher of Australasian Leisure Management, Australia, New Zealand and the Asia-Pacific’s only magazine for professionals in all areas of the leisure industry and the www.ausleisure.com.au website - the go to news resource for industry leaders and professionals.
With a long-term commitment to communicating all that is best about the leisure industry (aquatics, attractions, entertainment, events, fitness, parks, recreation, sport, tourism and venues) his career has been defined by an ability to develop and implement industry communications.
Starting his career working in heritage visitor attractions and then adventure travel in Africa and the Middle East, an interest in writing about his experiences led to his change of career into magazine journalism and publishing.
In addition to publishing, Nigel speaks on marketing communications at a range of industry events.
He was made a Life Member of the World Leisure and Recreation Association in 2006 and is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society (London).
In 2020, he launched the new Asian Leisure Business website.
As of October 2024, he was inducted into the Australian Fitness Awards Roll of Honour at the 2024 AUSactive National Awards.
Among a range of published works and features, his comments on a Blog (blogspot) from 2007 to 2011, when this website went live in its current form, may be interesting to reflect back on.
His philosophy on life is to be kind to all and to indulge those that you love.
His passions include family, Newcastle United and motorcycles (especially British ones) as well, until February 2025 when she left us, caring a little pug named Stella.
Click here to connect with him via LinkedIn.
Read more from this author
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