Venues NSW is a major employment, tourism, social and economic engine of growth for NSW and Australia. The Venues NSW network comprises more than $4bn of public community assets, which host some 500 major sport and entertainment events in undisrupted years, attracting upwards of five million attendees each year.
In Sydney, Venues NSW owns and operates the Sydney Cricket Ground and Allianz Stadium in Moore Park, Accor Stadium at Sydney Olympic Park and CommBank Stadium in Parramatta.
In the Illawarra, Venues NSW owns and operates WIN Stadium and WIN Entertainment Centre, both of which are significant contributors to the region's visitor economy.
In the Hunter, Venues NSW owns and operates McDonald Jones Stadium, and the Newcastle Entertainment Centre and Showground which service much of northern and north-west NSW. In recent years, Venues NSW has re-established McDonald Jones Stadium as a concert venue for international artists, with visits by Sir Elton John, Sir Paul McCartney and P!NK.
HISTORY
Our story begins in 1854 when the Sydney Cricket Ground was established by British troops stationed at the nearby Victoria Barracks.
Today, and through the formation of Venues NSW in December 2020, we continue that legacy as custodians of the most significant sporting and entertainment precincts in NSW – all within a short distance of more than 80 per cent of the State’s population, and in the heart of the Newcastle-Sydney-Wollongong cultural, social and economic belt that drives eastern Australia.
Over the years, our venues have hosted the biggest sporting and live entertainment events in the world, including the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games, the 1938 Empire Games, multiple World Cup fixtures, grand finals, Tests and interstate matches, as well as visits by the biggest names in world sport and entertainment from Muhammad Ali, Don Bradman, Betty Cuthbert, Cathy Freeman and Maradona to Adele, U2 and Ed Sheeran.
We care for and operate our five distinct precincts, six stadiums and two entertainment centres for and on behalf of the people of NSW. Venues NSW is a NSW Government agency which works closely with partner agencies, the private sector, sports partners, and charity and community partners to reinforce NSW’s position as Australia’s premier state and build its reputation around the world.