Sydney’s Stadium Australia is set to be fitted with a huge new video screen as part of a range of fan-focused digital upgrades at the venue.
The venue formerly known as ANZ Stadium is to be fitted with more than Aus$10m (£5.3m/€6.3m/$7.4m) worth of upgrades, with work on the Great Southern Screen to commence following the conclusion of the 2021 NRL season.
According to Stadium Australia, the display, which will be fitted by Daktronics, will be the world’s longest straight-run stadium video screen. The screen will be in operation in time for the 2022 AFL season and will also be used during the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, which will be co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand.
The screen will be 120 metres long and 10 metres high, stretching across the athletic centre of Stadium Australia. The display will be the equivalent length of the stadium’s football pitch.
Stadium Australia has a capacity of 80,000 and is operated by Venues NSW, which selected Daktronics to install the new video screens following a tender process. Global architecture firm Populous has planned the integration of the new video display at Stadium Australia.
Natalie Ward, Minister for Sport in New South Wales, said: “I can’t wait to switch on the Great Southern Screen at Stadium Australia next year for the 2022 NRL season. This project will create much-needed construction jobs in Western Sydney and, when it goes live, an unmatched experience for NSW sporting fans.
“The NSW Government is continuing to invest in Sydney’s mega-event venue and home of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup to ensure it delivers the ultimate live experience for the people of NSW.”
Blair Robertson, Daktronics Australia region manager, added: “Having spent more than 15 years servicing large sport venues globally and with over 50 sport installations throughout Australia and New Zealand, the sheer scale and impact of the Great Southern Screen installation at Stadium Australia will undoubtedly be the most exciting to date.
“The 1200sq/m high-definition video display will entertain and amaze fans … it will generate a live game-day experience that has never been experienced in Australia.”
Stadium Australia noted that the biggest HD sports video screen currently in operation in Australia is at Eagle Farm Racecourse and spans 43.89 metres by 10.97 metres. The new screen at Stadium Australia would be roughly three times bigger than the Eagle Farm Racecourse display.
Image: Stadium Australia
