Sydney Increases Concert Capacity at SCG Precinct

With the lifting of these restrictions, an additional 16 concerts will now be permitted annually. This move is estimated to inject up to $120 million each year into the NSW visitor economy. Over the lifetime of the stadium, this means billions of dollars secured for our great state.

These restrictions were initially put in place over 20 years ago following a Rolling Stones concert at the SCG. However, in a modern and global city like Sydney, these limitations are no longer suitable.

The decision to lift the concert cap has undergone a thorough 8-month community and stakeholder engagement process, ensuring that all perspectives were considered.

Of the 20 major events permitted each year, two will be allowed to operate as 10-hour festivals, such as the popular Wave Aid, between the hours of 10am and 11pm.

While the concert cap has been lifted, it’s important to note that no other changes will be made to the normal 11pm concert curfew, sporting events, maximum venue capacity, or transport arrangements. The new conditions have been imposed on the existing development approvals for the new stadium to effectively manage and mitigate any potential impacts on noise, traffic, and parking.

Since its opening in 2022, Allianz Stadium has already hosted incredible concerts by Bruno Mars, Elton John, Paul McCartney, and Robbie Williams. And there’s more to come! American singer-songwriter Pink is scheduled to perform two shows in February, adding to the excitement.

Not only does Sydney’s stadium network cater to artists of all sizes, but it also includes Accor Stadium, our major event venue with a capacity of up to 100,000 for concerts. This year alone, we have Taylor Swift gracing our stages with four concerts in February, along with major sporting events like the Bledisloe Cup and State of Origin.

NSW Premier Chris Minns exclaimed, “NSW is well and truly open for business. This is a huge win for the NSW economy, and it’s great for live music. Sydney is Australia’s only global city, and now it will finally be able to host more global acts on the world stage.”

Minister for Music and the Night-time Economy, Minister for Jobs and Tourism John Graham added, “After successive governments have tied up our visitor and night-time economy in onerous red tape, we are taking off the shackles and making the most of our incredible venues. This is about securing more live music for Sydney and ensuring our spot as the premier destination of the Asia Pacific.”

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully stated, “We’ve listened to the feedback and lifted these restrictions on concert capacity, so that we can get the most from this venue while including conditions on the approval that takes into account local issues like noise, traffic, parking, and social impacts. We will continue to work with Venues NSW to get the best outcome for concert goers and the local community.”

Minister for Sport, Minister for Small Business Steve Kamper emphasized, “We have the best stadium network in Australia, and it’s time we start using our venues to their full potential. The red tape that has hampered our ability to host concerts at Allianz Stadium and the SCG has cost this state hundreds of millions of dollars. That red tape is officially gone, and Sydney can now secure more live music than ever before. By unlocking the stadium, we are also unlocking millions of dollars of economic activity for our local visitor economy and surrounding businesses.”

As the author of this article, I am thrilled to witness this significant development in Sydney’s entertainment scene. The removal of the concert cap at the SCG precinct marks a new era of fun and excitement for our city. With a vibrant lineup of global acts and festivals, Sydney is reclaiming its position as a premier destination for live music in the Asia Pacific. Let’s embrace this newfound freedom and enjoy the unforgettable experiences that await us!