Australian A-League football team the Western Sydney Wanderers has confirmed a long-term agreement to play home games at the new Bankwest Stadium, which is due to open later this year.
The 30,000-capacity venue will serve as the Wanderers’ home from the 2019-20 season. The club has signed a 10-year deal to play at the stadium.
The Wanderers had already confirmed that they would play English Championship side Leeds United at the stadium on July 20. The team will now play all A-League, FFA Cup (from the quarter-finals stage) and AFC Champions League matches at the Parramatta facility.
Bankwest Stadium will replace the demolished Parramatta Stadium, the Wanderers’ former home. The new stadium will also serve as the home of NRL rugby league club the Parramatta Eels.
Wanderers chairman Paul Lederer said: “This has been many years in the making and we are delighted to return to our home ground from next season. We left no stone unturned to get the right deal for our members and fans and we are extremely thankful to the NSW Government for building this venue with football fans in mind.”
Daryl Kerry, chief executive of VenuesLive, operator of Bankwest Stadium, added: “The stadium team will be working closely with the club to create a fantastic game-day atmosphere and the best possible fan experience. Bankwest Stadium is going to be a special place when the Wanderers play at home in front of their passionate fans.”
The Wanderers have spent the past three years playing at ANZ Stadium and Spotless Stadium, with attendances having suffered.
“The stadiums we played in were reasonable but nothing like this,” Lederer added, according to the Australian Associated Press. “And this is our home ground. It has been the home ground from day one. I’m sure our fans will come back. We look forward to the next season.”
Bankwest Stadium will feature Australia’s first safe-standing terrace and the steepest stands in the country.
Image: Bankwest Stadium
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