NSW aims for ‘the big 5’

THE creation of a special joint force in New South Wales to lure ‘the big 5’ global sporting events to the state has been unveiled, backed by Destination NSW.

Comprised of Western Sydney Leadership Dialogue, Western Sydney Business Chamber and Sydney Olympic Park Business Association, the taskforce aims to attract four World Cups and the Commonwealth Games to NSW.

The group has been dubbed the NSW Global Events Taskforce.

The events include the Women’s Rugby WC in 2021, FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2023, Men’s RWC in 2027, the Commonwealth Games in 2026 or 2030 and the big one, the FIFA Men’s World Cup in 2030.

NSW Global Events Taskforce is calling for three new “world-class rectangular stadiums with lively precincts around them” be built, replacing existing facilities in Homebush and Moore Park.

Chairman of the Western Sydney Leadership Dialogue Christopher Brown AM said the NSW Govt is making an important investment in the region’s sporting & cultural infrastructure.

“We believe that, thanks to this investment, a fantastic opportunity exists for Sydney, and Western Sydney in particular, to bid for and win more major global events,” Brown remarked.

He suggested that without the stadia investment “we would face stiff competition from other countries and states that have invested heavily in upgrading their sporting infrastructure.”

“In Australia alone, Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne and Perth have all made significant investments in their stadia, while Sydney has let our facilities age to the point where they are no longer fit for purpose,” he said.

Sydney Business Chamber, Western Sydney director David Borger said the tourism benefits and economic returns from major events would be “amazing, particularly for Western Sydney”.

“We often talk about how Sydney came alive during the Olympics in 2000 and the city does have a chance bidding on ‘the big 5’ to relive that mood time and again over a five-seven year period,” Borger added.