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NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has today confirmed that Sydney’s Allianz and ANZ stadiums will be rebuilt and transformed in a $2 billion program.

The long-running latest episode in plans to redevelop Sydney’s stadium infrastructure apparently aims to ensure NSW remains competitive in hosting major sporting and entertainment events.

Explaining the funding, Premier Berejiklian stated “we want the world’s biggest sporting clubs and artists to choose NSW as their preferred destination to showcase their events.

“To compete globally and attract national and international events, our stadiums must have the most modern facilities that offer a great experience for fans.”

The investment will fund:

• A new 45,000-seat stadium to replace Allianz Stadium at Moore Park with construction to start in 2018 and open in 2021 (estimated $705 million, subject to tendering process); and
• A new 75,000-seat rectangular stadium to replace ANZ Stadium at Sydney Olympic Park, construction to start in 2019 and open in 2022 (estimated $1.25 billion, subject to tendering process).

The $2 billion cost is addition to the $300 million being spent of the new Western Sydney Stadium.

Commenting on the designs of the venues, Premier Berejiklian advised “fans will be closer to the action than ever before, with steep seating creating a colosseum-inspired wall of sound and colour, enhanced with the world’s most advanced technology.

“This investment means we can compete on the world stage for events such as the FIFA Women’s World Cup, the Rugby World Cup, and keep Sydney as the number one sporting destination.”

The plan also includes a deal with the NRL to Grand Finals games in NSW over the next 25 years.

NSW Minister for Sport Stuard Ayres shared details of this, advising “the SCG will host one Grand Final in 2020 during the construction phase, and we have organised sequencing so that all other Grand Finals will be played at Allianz (2021 and 2022) and ANZ (2023 to 2044.”

NRL Chief Executive Todd Greenberg welcomed the announcement, saying it was a "momentous day" for players and fans.

The Sydney Cricket Ground Trust, which controls the SFS, said the plan was "common sense" and without the extra investment the venue would have shut down.

The plan has also been applauded by organisations including Rugby Australia, Football Federation Australia and Cricket NSW.

However, NSW Labor leader Luke Foley criticised the redevelopment of Allianz Stadium, arguing the total stadiums bill was $2.5 billion when $200 million the NSW Government spent on buying back ANZ Stadium was taken into account.

Foley said Allianz "won't host grand finals, State of Origins, Bledisloe Cups or the biggest Socceroo qualifiers. Why are we doing this?"

He told the ABC “the government of the state is going to prioritise spending hundreds of millions of dollars on a white elephant stadium in the eastern suburbs of Sydney that won't host the biggest games.

"It'll be full once, possibly twice, a year. And Labor says that is a massive waste of taxpayers' money. The priority for investment has to be our schools and hospitals."

Lord Mayor of Sydney Clover Moore added “20 million people visit the Moore and Centennial Parklands every year, while Allianz is a sea of empty seats on game days."

"The public interest is being steamrolled by an all-powerful SCG Trust and an ambitious Sports Minister who wants to play with the big boys.”

The ANZ and Allianz Stadiums currently attract a combined 3.5 million visitors per year and contribute more than $1 billion into the NSW economy every year.

Images: Artist's impressions of the rebuilt ANZ Stadium (top) and mIddle) and Allianz Stadium (below).

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