Stadium Adventures

Dolphins Inaugural NRL Game Day Vs. Sydney City Roosters, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, 05.03.2023

What an absolutely epic game day and inaugural game for Dolphins NRL at Suncorp Stadium on a gorgeous autumn Brissy Sunday arvo winning 28-18 over Sydney Roosters.

I had a great day taking dad along and loved the collectable trading cards to commemorate the first game.

Well done to the Dolphins on the first game. What a vibe it was out there at the final whistle.

Some thoughts on the game day here for the Dolphins first event at Suncorp Stadium.
The members bar downstairs, the Pod Club looked a bit lame and tacky and needed more colour and atmosphere. It just looked stale. Big lines and hard to locate. More signage.

No staff really present around the ground inside or out to assist fans and ask questions. Didn’t even see a membership tent.

No map in the comms mail out of activations and key etc? But good comms email. Had everything you needed to know.

Was a bit odd walking in seeing Broncos branding everywhere along Milton Road but guess they got in first and have paid that up to have the branding on the light poles.

The trading cards was a unique idea and simple stuff. Already going for a mint on Facebook marketplace as are the red dolphin fins as headwear. Initially very dorky but it’s taken off. Good to see.

No Broncos like ‘Paddock Club’ for pre game drinking and comfy seating watching other games outside the ground outside Caxton St which was disappointing however I’ve since seen that the Broncos are not doing this either. A licensing issue? A sponsor issue? XXXX not keen to run it? The most money I’ve spent at the venue was because of this area activation and coming to the ground earlier spending more money outside and in the venue.

Kids zone looked good. Room for more sponsor activations and kids activities.

Some of your sponsors had zero visibility. Budget Direct was front and centre yet Kings was nowhere to be seen. Where’s their adventure playground or 4WD set up etc.

No signage for Phinnyland which is their fan zone. I think the Dolphins can really claim this fan zone for kids as something fun for fans and families but found it odd no signage.

The phins up song was really catchy. Absolutely worked.

Brilliant to have a Sunday game day. I wish the Broncos would do more of these like the good old QEII ANZ Stadium days in the 90s!

ACDC worked well. The other songs are like ‘Sweet Caroline’ boring and tired. Thankfully they didn’t use the SC. I hope they wont be like every other club FOMO on the same game day stuff. Be more unique. I really thought with everything else they had done to date that using White Stripes/Black Keys wouldn’t have gone with those.

Welcome to country was great and the Artie Beetson medal was a nice touch.

The safe smoke!!! Now that was brilliant need more of that. Haven’t seen an NRL team use that. The fireworks didn’t work but it was daytime. The red smoke really contrasted so well with the blue sky but at night this will look amazing.

I’m Broncos through and through and not changing but I thought that was an outstanding display yesterday and I hope they bring in 1000s of new memberships now as it’s good for the game. I’ll be back for more games. Well done Dolphins!

Loads more pictures and videos here from the game day

Cricket Australia Test Match vs South Africa, SCG, Sydney, Australia 03/01/2023

Ramona and I visited the Sydney Cricket Ground in Sydney for day one of the first test match and what was her first visit to this historic ground.

I took great delight in buying her her first cricket bat, albeit a tiny one for player autographs.

A big hit with her was the automatic sunscreen station too which was a clever idea.

Cricket Australia Test Match, Australia vs South Africa, The Gabba, Brisbane, Australia, 17/12/2022

First Cricket Test Match.

Australia vs South Africa.

Day One. Brisbane, Queensland.

An annual tradition that is important to me.

Great as always to take dad along each year and pack my cricket snack pack.

Gotta have good snacks.

Simply The Best: Allianz Stadium Fan Experience Review, Sydney, Australia 02/09/2022

The post-COVID19 game-day fan experience continues to evolve for sports fans with global venues new and established adding exciting enhancements to drive fan-first smart stadiums that provide positive experiences and memorable moments for fans.

Recent global developments to enhance the match-day experience of fans has seen venues such as Manchester’s Etihad Stadium introducing self-service beer taps for convenience, New York’s Citi Field trialling biometric facial recognition ticketing for entry into the ballpark and Seattle’s T-Mobile Park adding palm scanning technology at their “Walk-Off Market” snack bars to eliminate lines. Further developments have seen trials of in-seat hot dog drone deliveries, weapons detection gunshot localisers and sustainability initiatives like tower gardens, which produce stadium-grown food for use in venue concessions. These are just some of the developments that illustrate the lengths that venues are going to in order to enhance the fan experience and get fans off the couch at home and back into venues in the post-pandemic sports world.

Sydney’s spectacular new state of the art Allianz Stadium is Australia’s latest major venue that has this fan first thinking and the fan experience at it’s core with a raft of impressive modern features providing an exceptional game day experience for fans. In my latest fan experience review here for AUS Leisure, I take a look at the impressive features of the redeveloped Allianz Stadium from the grand opening on September 2^nd at the Sydney Roosters rugby league match day to highlight how they are achieving best practice fan experience and the lessons that other venues can learn to improve and enhance their own venue fan experiences.

Transport

Starting the fan journey from the CBD to Allianz Stadium in the Moore Park entertainment precinct was a seamless and quick experience via the brand new Sydney Light Rail network that took less than 15 minutes and was free with game day tickets. This free match-day travel to and from the venue could also be used on other public transport modes such as nearby trains and buses while the venue itself features dedicated new electric car charging stations and bike racks as well as only being a short and easy 25-minute walk from the city.

Accessibility

One of the reasons for the redevelopment was that the previous venue provided a poor spectator experience by not being able to cater for different user groups as well as not meeting modern amenity standards around accessibility. It was good then to see that this is certainly a stadium for everyone as there has been significant increases (2300%) to space and seating for wheelchair and companion areas, the addition of gender neutral toilets as well as a 170% increase in female toilets to 600. This represents a commitment to improving facilities for fans in terms of minimising wait times but is also good to see that all fans are being equally catered for especially with the rise of both women’s sport and female attendances at venues.

Welcome and Way-Finding

Arriving early to soak up the atmosphere outside the ground it was evident that a focus on designing clear way-finding solutions had been implemented to enable fans to see where their entrance was. There are detailed, easy-to-understand maps located throughout the outside concourse area, clear signage for gate numbers across each stand along with engaging customer service staff acting as backpack billboards featuring gate entrance and venue information. Heading through the turnstiles into the venue (or when getting a pass out to exit) was seamless and efficient by simply scanning the QR-coded ticket however what really stood out on entry was the pleasant greeting, positive attitude and smile from the staff which has long been identified by fans as one of the most important factors in creating a positive match day experience.

Seating

One of the clever features of the stadium redevelopment that fans will appreciate inside the venue is the 360° open concourse. The 300% increase in the public area concourse enables fans to walk around the venue while always staying connected to the game even while grabbing F&B items or accessing toilets or just wanting to see the game from another angle. The four levels of seating that comprise the 42,500 seats are set on a thrilling steep rake, offer clear sightlines of the pitch no matter where you’re seated and are positioned closer to the field of play than the previous seating plan to maximise the atmosphere and fan experience. The noise that was created from fans seemed to reflect back into the seating bowl as a result of the stadium design, which in turn added to a louder and more intense experience for spectators.

The vibrant and unique art design of the seats by Indigenous artist Tony Albert is titled ‘Two Worlds Colliding’ and really makes you feel like you’re sitting right on top of the action while the innovative design of the diagrid roof also sees 100% of the seating area now undercover (up from only 30% previously) to offer weather protection for spectators which again illustrates a commitment to the fan-first vision of the venue. Rooster’s member Alan Katzmann agreed and added, “The stadium is terrific. I sat in the members stand on level 4 west and found it easy to get around with great viewing areas to mingle with friends and I felt very comfortable throughout” while Easts diehard Jane Cook also stated that “the atmosphere was phenomenal as I felt so close to the turf from my seats in the Chookpen members area”.

Architecture and Design

Designed by Cox Architecture and constructed by John Holland on the site of the original Sydney Football Stadium, the $874m venue transformation was delivered on time and features a host of innovative architectural design elements, exciting active spaces and art for spectators and the local community to engage with that highlight the venue’s iconic architectural identity.

The precinct around the stadium features an accessible open-air fitness space with gym equipment and a basketball court on a visually striking sports surface while there are also sculptures, audio art, a wind-screen and seating areas with historic moments from the ground carved into them that add to the fan experience on game days as well as also being a creative use of public space for the community to utilise all year round. A signature of the architecture are the 980 bronze coloured fins that form an elegant curtain wall surrounding the external façade of the venue while native vegetation has been used to increase shade and reflective roofing has been installed to add a heat mitigation solution to keep fans cool and comfortable inside the venue which further highlights a focus on putting fans and the environment first.

Food and Beverage

Merivale Group is the exclusive ‘hospitality experience’ partner of the venue and has clearly brought it’s culinary expertise into the stadium with a host of interesting gourmet selections as well as the standard footy fare that is expected of fans. The inclusive design of the menu features over 350 food and beverage options for fans to chose from across 64 outlets ranging from pork belly tacos and veggie burgers to margarita seltzers and independent craft beer from local Sydney breweries while the addition of more F&B outlets, self service ordering stations, a 30% increase in the counter lengths of bars and the use of mobile backpack beer servers all saw service times sped up and queues alleviated to enable fans to get back to their seats.

A highlight of the first match day at the venue was the generous offer for fans that saw 49% off the price of all beverages while F&B prices were seen to be on par with other venues for standard stadium fare with items such as water ($5), hot chips ($5.50) and soft drinks ($4.80) actually being cheaper than other Australian venues. It was also good to see the inclusion of combo meals, non-alcoholic beer and dietary needs being taken into consideration however ‘stadium sauce’ was being sold for the outrageous price of $2.90 in one snack bar (although for research purposes I tried it and it was actually delicious!).

Overall it was clear that the quality and diversity of the stadium grub on show at Allianz Stadium is a step above and puts this on another level in terms of the stadium food and beverage that is currently available in other Australian stadiums.

Fan Engagement

The Sydney Roosters put on a spectacle on the field for the 41,906 fans in attendance winning 34-6 (NRLW) and 26-16 (NRL) while off the field their fans and members were also winning with sponsors and staff both delivering a spectacular effort in storytelling and fan engagement. Roosters Fan Engagement manager Ryan Chant highlighted that “Returning home to Allianz Stadium provides us with an array of new opportunities to engage with our members and supporters” and this was evident asoutside the ground there were relevant sponsor activations for fan of all ages plus live entertainment while the pre-game build-up featured an emotional scene of two young fans embarking on their journey home to the venue. The hype reel, player entrance and big screen visuals, amplified by the impressive JBL loudspeakers, increased the intensity of the atmosphere while all fans were given free commemorative flags and TRY cards on entry before Aussie band The Presets kicked off the pre-game show with a pumping gig that had fans up in their seats.

Conclusion

The redeveloped Sydney Football Stadium is the result of years of collaborative teamwork amid COVID lockdowns and government restrictions and is a spectacular venue that fans both deserve and should be proud of due to its forward-thinking modern facilities that elevate the atmosphere and puts them closer to the action than ever before.

Allianz Stadium’s fan-first approach has significantly raised the bar on every aspect of the fan experience from accessibility and design to seating and food and beverage and represents a new era in Sydney’s sports and entertainment stage that will create memorable moments for fans, boost the local economy and place the capital in a prime position to attract major international and local events into the future. Put it on your list of sporting game day’s to experience and you won’t be disappointed.

BIO:

Blair Hughes is an award winning, globally respected fan engagement specialist who helps clients in the sports, music and craft beer industries grow their fan bases, improve fan experiences and create new business and revenue opportunities. You can follow him on Twitter at @MrBlairHughes or at www.MrBlairHughes.com.

Brisbane Roar A-League Fan Experience, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, QLD 8/10/22

A glorious Saturday arvo game day homecoming at Suncorp Stadium for Brisbane Roar FC against Macarthur FC today.

0-0 in the end but a thoroughly enjoyable game day back at Lang Park with a big crowd and a pumping atmosphere. A real shame that there are only three games here for the 22/23 season.

Well done to the Roar for putting on $1000 bar tab for members pre-game and for the supporter groups and fans for organising the march to the stadium.

2022 NRL Grand Final Fan Experience, Penrith Vs.Parramatta, Accor Stadium, Sydney, 2/10/22

On Sunday morning at 2am I left Brisbane to head down to Sydney for the NRL Grand Final between Penrith Panthers and Parramatta Eels at Accor Stadium in Homebush, Sydney.

Leaving home at 3am I hit Brisbane Airport, parked the car and excitedly boarded my 5am flight to Sydney to head to an NRL Grand Final, my first GF since 2018 at the Olympic Stadium.

In the lead up to the big event I produced a match day fact sheet for my fellow NRL fans which went down a hit in our NRL community. I miss match day programs so tried to make it reminiscent of Big League Magazine (RIP) to have a physical keepsake from the big day.

I hit Sydney by 8am taking into account day-light savings time and made my way to my hotel, stopping to check the front covers of the local papers all promoting the major event.

By 12pm I was making my way out to the venue and here is a run down on the day from my fan experience and fan journey perspective.

Transport:

My fan journey from Central Station to Olympic Park and the game at Accor Stadium could not have been quicker or more seamless. Free travel on public transport was included with every ticket and the journey out to the venue from Central via train took under 25 minutes. From there it was such a simple walk to the venue fan precinct and entry gates. It’s always very accessible and it was good also to see the colourful NRL team bunting and presentation at Central Station and Olympic Park Station which added to the atmosphere. Staff were helpful and eager to engage with both sets of fans to ensure they all had a good day.

Unfortunately I was unable to take the gorgeous old cab or Routemaster bus out to the game but don’t they just look outstanding!

Ticketing:

It pays to be an NRL member. I purchased my ticket as soon as NRL members tickets went on sale. I was able to get a discount, buy first and choose where I wanted to sit. I was surprised members got a further discount which was nice to see. I purchased the cheapest tickets I could at $49 which I thought was a bargain. Many fans on social jokingly said my seat was rubbish however I beg to differ. We were front and centre with a birds eye view. Not every fan can afford to go or be close to the action and this price point was all that I could afford anyway. Entry through the gates was seamless and efficient however I did go through very early in the day so had no troubles scanning in. Bag searches were conducted and a hello and smile along with eye contact was received on entry as well which was pleasant to see.

Fan Zone/Fan Engagement:

The fan precinct was absolutely pumping when I arrived after midday with fans of both teams as well as neutral rugby league fans like myself all having a wonderful, fun, safe time together at the bars and within the outside fan zone area.

The bars were going off with live music, DJ’s and beers flowing with the sun out and the atmosphere sparkling with positivity from the fans. It was such a fun vibe and moment to be in.

The merchandise tents were doing a roaring trade with special event tees and hats as well as Penrith and Parramatta gear selling like hot cakes at the multiple merchandise sites around the venue.

The fan engagement and event presentation was top notch and included loads of fun activations for kids, families and fans of all ages such as:

competitions
pass the ball
face painting
giveaways
trivia
photo opportunities (NRL Steeden ball/NRLW)
size me up
colouring in
trophy photos
virtual kick and photo activations

Everyone was having such a brilliant time in the fan zone with the lines moving really well throughout the two hours I spent going from activity to activation….obviously, didn’t do the face painting or colouring in but I can see how much fun my daughter will have when I bring her down for a grand final in a few years time.

The event presentation looked impressive with colourful lighting, banners and bunting throughout the venue and surrounds. There was also plenty of food truck gourmet options outside the ground as well as astro turfed areas, roving entertainers (the 70’s disco crew on stilts- they were outstanding!), craft beer bars and plenty of spaces to sit and take in the festivities.

Venue:

After I had my fun in the fan zone I headed into the venue and up the ramp to my seats in section 606. I forgot how steep this venue gets and you really have to pace yourself, especially if carrying a tray of beers so I was glad I had my weetbix in the morning as when I made it to my seat I was able to take in my impressive view of the ground. For $50 I was very impressed with my seat purchase and settled in for a while with a cold bevvie to take in the NRL State Championship (Penrith defeated Norths Devils 44-10), NRLW Grand Final (Newcastle won 32-12 over Parramatta) and then the pre-game entertainment before the main match.

It was outstanding to be a part of a new Australian crowd record for the NRL Women’s competition as close to 43,000 fans set this record to watch the Grand Final. Well done to everyone for being inside the venue to watch this moment.

When I went down to get a beer and pie at 6pm the lines were unfortunately really bad with up to 100m of people waiting in lines in both directions and no real line management or idea for fans of where lines started or ended or went for food or drinks so I unfortunately gave up and didn’t get to eat anything at the venue and only bought the one beer in the end. This was probably the most disappointing thing about the fan experience as I love nothing more than getting a pie and a beer but it was just too busy and after 20 minutes in a line that wasn’t moving I decided to give up. The venue staff however should be commended because I saw how hard they were working for fans and they were smiling and being positive. It’s always hard for a venue when at capacity to service every fan efficiently and we have to remember that venues are still getting back into their groove post COVID too so while it was disappointing to not be able to get F&B I can also understand the challenges.

Beers were $10.50-10.90 and included Stone and Wood craft beer. I wasn’t able to see more of the food on show but I heard there was a special event day burger which sounded good!

Pre-Game Entertainment:

Being a huge Cold Chisel fan I was really excited for Jimmy Barnes to be performing as part of the pre-game show and he was absolutely brilliant bringing all the hits and having fans rocking out to the classics. The other performers were equally impressive and the Welcome to Country and National Anthem were also big highlights with the Indigenous man doing the WTC doing such a fine job talking about respect.

The crowd singalong’s of fan favourites like ‘Sweet Caroline’ and ‘Horses’ were quite funny to see while the multiple on field sponsor fan engagement activations at half time were run smoothly and provided some laughs. I feel for the ladies kicking the goals in that competition, it’s bloody hard in the footwear that fans bring to a game not realising how oily the turf is!

The pitch invader that ran on and tried to scale the posts was brilliantly nabbed by security and venue staff and ushered off the field. Thankfully this idiot will now be fined and banned and did not cause any player injuries. Well done to the venue staff here for quickly sorting this out. These people don’t belong in our NRL community.

Exit:

Once the game was over with Penrith winning 28-12 over Parramatta we made our way back down the ramp and out to the train station to head back into the city. Transport home could not have been more easy and seamless with the lines moving fast and free transport making it simple to get home and end the night safely. I will add that when I asked a cabbie how much it was to get to the city he remarked $150 and told me the meter was off. Very dodgy behaviour and not what fans expect or deserve to see for the fan experience. No sooner had I told him that was ridiculous and unfair for fans, he was swarmed by transport cops or transit enforcement officers (unsure who they were) who heard me talking to him and ordered him to pull over however he did not want to and continued trying to drive away which was quite dangerous as it was packed with fans around him. I commend these officers because they saw that this was wrong and not what fans expect from transport companies.

A big shout out to the National Rugby League, Accor Stadium and everyone involved for putting on an outstanding #NRLGF day in Sydney today.

I had such a fun day participating in all the activations, catching up with the NRL community and just being back at the venue for the first time in a few years.

Fantastic event presentation, fan journey, #FanEngagement, fan atmosphere and entertainment. Seamless free travel on public transport, craft beers, food trucks, happy, positive and helpful staff and a brilliant loud atmosphere all made for an epic day.

Well done Penrith Panthers and Newcastle Knights and Parramatta Eels National Rugby League Club fans too.

NRLGF Match Day Fact Sheet 2022

I deeply miss physical match day programs at the NRL so I produced this one-off free NRL grand final fact sheet for myself and fellow fans for the big day. Sadly print media is dying a slow death and soon there won’t be any match day programs from the English football to the cherished AFL Record….hopefully that time is still some time away.

It went down such a hit with fans in our NRL community and I ended up running out of the 50 copies I printed, all of which was just for a bit of a laugh, to have a physical keepsake memory to take away from the game.

Brisbane Lions AFLW Fan Experience, The Gabba, Brisbane, 10/09/22

Outstanding day at The Gabba supporting the AFL – Australian Football League Brisbane Lions #AFLW team in the AFLW Indigenous Round and Q Clash against Gold Coast SUNS.

The family friendly atmosphere is a major drawcard and winner for a positive fan experience.

Impressed with the fan zone and Indigenous painting and the use of indigenous words to celebrate goals plus welcome guests to the Gabba at the front entrance gates.

Ramona’s 7th stadium game day and third women’s sport event with much more to come in her lifetime thanks to these pioneers paving the way for her generation and beyond.

I also loved the new range of throwback Brisbane Bears and Fitzroy merchandise.

Our game day snackle box is a big hit too with tasty game day treats to keep her entertained.

Lions thrashed Suns 12.10.82- 1.3. 9

FAN ENGAGEMENT FRIDAY: NEWS FROM AROUND THE GROUNDS 09/09/2022

A weekly recap of some of the interesting stories and developments from the educational to the random in the world of fan engagement/experience, stadium/venue news, fan behaviour and psychology, customer service plus much more. Enjoy.

FANS HQ FREE MAGAZINE

Dream Job Alert – NFL Stadium Food Tester

The digital engineering at the heart of Sydney’s Allianz Stadium transformation

Doncaster Rovers: How the Eco-Power Stadium compares to other EFL grounds for fan experience

Rangers to launch fan engagement drive with drop-in sessions at Ibrox and meetings across the UK

Football fan to be first woman ever banned from matches after hurling flare at ref

A specific reason why Michael Jordan played in black shoes: “It was a mentality”

The cost of being an NFL fan

$1.3 Billion Sports NFT Market Doubles in 2022; a 100% Growth, 10 Years CAGR – 36.3%: Says Market Decipher

Olympics to drive high-tech transformation of Queensland stadiums

Facilities: Hard-to-pronounce materials defining new stadium construction, lowering costs and opening options

Exclusive: Manchester United Brings On Former F1 and Olympic Marketing Chiefs

TELSTRA/NRL: We’re teaming up to take the NRL into the next generation

How I won AFL Fantasy: The 2022 champion reveals his secrets

Breathtaking Scenes As Football Fans Spotted Watching Live Ligue 1 Game From a Jacuzzi at the Stadium

Club Wembley chief on why fans still want personalised experiences

Toledo-based company uses laser technology to enhance sports fans’ experiences

Cricket star turns tech entrepreneur with ambitious metaverse plan

A meatball cone? The evolution of ballpark food

Food lockers at Memorial Stadium provide a new concession stand experience

Robotics is the Next Wave of Automation Systems for Stadiums and Arenas

Amazon Just Walk Out tech plays starring role in NFL stadium store

Cycling fans are the healthiest sports fan base in the UK

Changes Made to Enhance Fan Experience on Fighting Illini Football Gamedays

“We expect pictures”: Blue Jays fan loses tattoo bet with himself

Crypto Companies Seek To Overcome The Crisis By Investing In Sports Sponsorships

China expected to play bigger role in world sports industry

Fan Engagement maximized at the inaugural Chicago Bulls Fest

Sydney Football Stadium punters offered refunds after faulty seats mar NRL, rugby games

$5 billion stadium has little AC: How LA plans to cool fans down for Thursday’s NFL opener

Australian GP organisers to tweak fan experience for 2023

Extreme and Minor League Baseball to Push the Boundaries of In-Stadium Technology with New Partnership

Seattle Mariners: Work from the Ballpark

Buffalo startup ‘Went’ memorializing tickets into souvenirs to enhance fan experience

The Importance of Positive Emotional Connections With Customers

When does a K-pop fan’s support cross the line? Sunmi incident in New York shows that stars sometimes need to speak out

Followers Forever: Fans Keep Faith With Heroes Even After ‘Immoral Acts’

Have Rangers board taken fan loyalty for granted with Champions League ticket prices?

The 25 most annoying fan bases in sports

Red Sox seek to reinvent the fan experience at America’s most beloved ballpark™

Which stadiums offer the best fan experience in English football?

Rose Bowl attendance hits all-time low in first game for UCLA since announcing move to Big Ten

3 fans involved in Jaguars preseason game brawl must complete $250 course before returning to any NFL stadium again

THE PSYCHOLOGY OF FANDOM

ASM Global to Offer Fans ChargeFuze Portable Phone Chargers at Sports and Entertainment Venues

#MyDreamJump Challenge: Bringing fans into the action

Why Football Fans Pick The Teams They Do

Cowboys reveal new menu additions at AT&T Stadium for 2022 season

Live Nation Wants to Bring High-Tech, Reusable Cups to Its Concerts

Should brands sue their own fans? It’s working out for Netflix and Oprah

Ticketmaster lets partners sell NFTs with tickets on Flow blockchain

World Cup fans will only get beer outside stadiums

BEER PRICES AT EVERY NFL STADIUM IN 2022

Man travels 96,000 miles across 80 countries all for the love of football

Fans for Diversity: Helping EFL clubs promote inclusivity

Bulls aim for fan engagement at inaugural ‘Bulls Fest’

Verstappen condemns “silly, stupid” use of flares by F1 fans

Create a more inclusive experience for fans who are blind or have low vision

Key findings revealed from MotoGP™ Global Fan Survey

‘Everybody looks better in black and white’: Meet ‘Swoop Luke’, an online favourite for Magpies fans

“How Marseille football club is using new tech to bring fans closer to players – BBC News”

Sydney Roosters NRL Fan Experience, Allianz Stadium (GRAND OPENING GAME DAY), Sydney, Australia, 2/9/22

Last night I took in the brand new and incredibly impressive Allianz Stadium in Sydney for the Roosters versus Souths NRL and NRLW matches. I will have a comprehensive review of the fan experience coming shortly for Australasian Leisure Management Magazine but for now here are some of my highlights on the venue and fan experience.

– Incredible atmosphere from the Roosters and Souths fans

– Accessible seating and more of it for fans who need it

– Wide concourses and no security or ushers telling you to move on

– Local Sydney craft beers (Happy Hour pricing 49% off was nice)

– Seating is outstanding. Nice comfy seats and good views everywhere

– LEDs, IPTV’s, light up posts, lighting, big screens all impressive and vibrant for fans

– Sustainability initiatives

– Roosters fan engagement

– Pre-game show was pumping from The Presets

– The Merivale food offering was outstanding. You can see the quality and diversity.

– Customer service was phenomenal

– Welcome on entry from staff

– Seamless ticketing entry through gates

– Transport was brilliant with the new light rail just superb. Electric car charging, buses, cycle racks

– Increase in toilets, especially female toilets.

– Self service kiosks for food and beverages

– The public art work from the 6 artists on show was very eye catching

– The outside court sports surface that anyone can use is very cool and a good use of stadium space on non game days

– Free commemorative flags and try cards on entry for the big game

– Very clear way-finding signage inside and outside the venue

Brisbane Broncos NRLW Fan Experience, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, 27/8/22

What a weekend of sport in Brisbane this weekend with the Brisbane Broncos and Brisbane Lions both playing standalone matches at Suncorp Stadium and The Gabba respectively.

Took Ramona along for the National Rugby League #NRLW match against Sydney Roosters today in what was a really enjoyable fan experience and will follow it up with the Lions match against Fremantle Dockers tomorrow in Woolloongabba.

Quick shout out to the helpful stadium staff (for their dancing for Ramona from the snackbars as we walked through the concourse), the Broncos marketing, fan engagement and design team (for the cool free posters and trading cards) and the female athletes who are paving the way for the next generation – her generation.

#NRLWBroncosRoosters #NRL #BrisbaneBroncos #BrisbaneLions

FAN ENGAGEMENT FRIDAY: NEWS FROM AROUND THE GROUNDS 26/08/2022

FANS HQ: Downloadable PDF Magazine

See the new food at Lucas Oil for Indianapolis Colts fans for the 2022-23 season

West Ham continue legal action threat over food and drink prices at London Stadium

WEST HAM: Matchday food and drink concession prices – update

What Social Media is Changing about Baseball: MLB Ambassadors

Fan experience elements outlined for upcoming Virginia Tech Football season

MOST BIG-TICKET SPORTS VENUES PLAY HOST TO GAMES, AND LITTLE ELSE

UCF to sell alcohol throughout football stadium for 1st time

The new Allianz Stadium, ready to entertain you

The price of food and drink at West Ham’s stadium causes outrage, it’s £3.65 for a cup of tea

New tech lets most Browns fans walk into stadium without stopping for security

T-Mobile 5G Swings into Yankee Stadium

READ | EFL launches new Equality, Diversity and Inclusion strategy ‘Together’

Foot Locker, Inc. and Fanatics Team Up to Expand Licensed Sports Product Offering for Fans

16 Tactics To Retain Customers While Using A Self-Service Option

9 sports venues that are doubling down on on-site sports betting

Sports stadiums echo ancient divisions

See Inside New York’s Yankee Stadium ‘Like You’ve Never Seen Before’ Read More: New Drone Footage Gives Unique View of New York’s Yankee Stadium

10 Sports Marketing Trends That You Should Know and Use

Can Baseball survive in a Football world?

OPINION: INSANE F1 TICKET PRICES WILL SHUT OUT REAL FANS

Another step towards fans having a meaningful say JAMES NALTON is encouraged by Liverpool’s owners establishing a supporters board

Hibernian: Digital Transformation Complete At Easter Road

Inaugural US National Cycling League could see fans virtually racing the pros in 2023

LFC leads the way in fan engagement with legally enshrined Supporters Board

WNBA Delivers Most-Watched Regular Season In 14 Years and Shatters Fan Engagement and On-Court Records

Belgian Grand Prix impose restrictions to combat disruptive fan behaviour

Football banning orders beefed up for new season, with pitch invaders and drug takers targeted

Sydney’s $830 million super stadium a work of art

Rail strikes: Portsmouth FC wheelchair user thanks fans who got him to match

The best-run football clubs know when it’s time to ignore the fans, and when it’s time to listen

Poacher’s Den drives fan engagement forward

Stadium Of The Future: Emerging Game Day Technologies For Engaging Fan Experience

Southampton FC, Sarah Batters: NFTs a ‘major pillar’ of engaging football fans

AFL’s first NFTs sell out in 12 hours

PGA TOUR transforms fan experience, analytics and customer feedback

Southampton FC, Sarah Batters: NFTs a ‘major pillar’ of engaging football fans

Southampton FC marks ‘brave new direction’ in NFT kit collection

Southampton FC and Sportsbet.io launch first bitcoin competition

Lambeau Field brings in new bar and grab-and-go food option

Big changes are coming to Gillette Stadium in 2023

FC Barcelona and Heura Foods give ‘new impetus’ to women’s football

Stadium-Size AR Games Could Transform Live Sports

How Will Metaverse Transform Sports Industry?

Everton new stadium stands rise higher as latest incredible footage released

Inside the new $830 million Sydney Football Stadium

Minnesota Twins introduce interactive AR platform for Target Field visitors

ICC and Nium launch coding challenge to engage tech-loving cricket fans

Autograph launches NFT-connected fan club with access to cofounder Tom Brady

Tailgating costs are up ‘substantially’ this year as travel, food costs are hit by inflation

Sports World Reacts To Yankee Fan’s Hot Dog Beer Straw

College football fans ‘want the different experience’ in new stadium seats: 4Topps president

Fans Attending MLB Games This Season to Receive NFT Tickets as Digital Memento

Atlanta Falcons to open Ticketmaster branded in-house production arm

L.A.’s Crypto.com Arena announces multi-million dollar revamp helmed by its original architects

Are NFTs Entertainment’s New Fan Engagement Tool?

Beverage Technology and Inventory Management Company BarTrack Announces Partnership with Mercedes-Benz Stadium

10 ways the pub sector will change in the next 10 years

Horizon Summit: How SAP’s Real-Time Data Analysis Improves the 49ers Fan Experience at Levi’s Stadium

FIFA to Use Artificial Intelligence Player Tracking at 2022 World Cup

Architect Breaks Down Iconic Baseball Stadiums | Architectural Digest

Fan Engagement – What does this even mean?

NRL BRISBANE BRONCOS FAN EXPERIENCE REVIEW, SUNCORP STADIUM, BRISBANE 13/8/22

Another brilliant fan experience and event presentation last night from Brisbane Broncos at Suncorp Stadium culminating with a Broncos win 28-10 over Newcastle Knights.

The Paddock Club outside the ground is always a highlight pre-game with the seating area, food trucks and kids zone while the activations inside with the KIA ‘Beast Mode’ and lighting and fireworks show have stepped up the game day entertainment this year.

The free Broncos trading cards have also been some of the best design work from NRL club land this year too.

Well done to all NRL fans from both teams for being respectful during the Paul Green moment of silence and for the venue for setting up a flower memorial outside for fans too.

#FanExperience #FanEngagement #BrisbaneBroncos #SuncorpStadium #NRL

FAN ENGAGEMENT FRIDAY: NEWS FROM AROUND THE GROUNDS 22/07/2022

The Playbook for Turning Sports Sponsorship Into Sales

Tigers launch Environmental Sustainability Action Plan in AFL first

Storyboard18 | How brands are making the most of the modern avatar of sports fans

Taste Test: The Rangers’ Over-the-Top New Ballpark Snacks at Globe Life Park

Here’s a Guide to the Dodger Stadium All-Star Game Food Specials

The World’s Best Restaurant Is Hidden In A Football Stadium

Club brands are sacred for sports fans. How can designers avoid a negative response?

MLB draft undergoes an L.A. facelift with an eye on fan growth

The major political parties have a membership problem. Footy club marketing might offer some solutions

Brands hope to score big during MLB All-Star week

The rules of the game: how is football focused marketing evolving?

NBA takes minority stake in 15 Seconds of Fame video startup

Sports Technology Market Size Worth $65,419.5 million By 2028

3 top skills this customer service executive uses every day

Stadium Business Summit 2022: Strategic Insights on Post-Lockdown Fan Engagement

Las Vegas Raiders and Golden Knights Near Top of Pricey Sports Events

Bills Reveal New Stadium Details: ‘Intimate and Intimidating’

Stadium Safety and Security

Drone spotted flying above Yankee Stadium during Yankees-Red Sox game

World’s second-largest PV system on a stadium roof reaches completion

Thousands flock to MLB All-Star Fan Fest, with Mariners well-represented

How to Go Vegan at Coors Field This Baseball Season: Coors Field Has Vegan Options for Colorado Rockies Fans

NFL’s Mission: Reach As Many Fans As Possible

With average tennis fan in their 60s, how can Wimbledon court a younger audience?

College Football Analyst Names Biggest ‘Cult’ Fan Base

The Dark Side of Fandom

Atlanta Hawks gather thousands of volunteers to pack more than 1M meals for community

‘Listen to your supporters’ – Newcastle United’s new CEO on fan engagement and growing a club

China remains the world’s largest e-sports market despite gaming crackdown

Tottenham Hotspurs rides digitalisation, personalisation to retain fans

Manchester City launch metaverse experience through Roblox partnership

NBA presents NBA Team Partnership Awards for 2021-22 season

In a fickle new era of sports, loyalty is always up for sale

‘MLB Play Ball Park’ Fan Experience Set to Open Saturday

This was interesting to read: AvoEats by Avocados From Mexico™ Brings Hungry Sports Fans Fresh and Innovative Fare

Washington Football Team Is First In Pro Sports To Add Grubhub For In-Venue Ordering

Arsenal Innovation Lab Selects Eight Fan Experience Startups

Tennessee Titans’ Nissan Stadium and Zippin to Launch Five Checkout-Free Stores In Time for Pre-Season

Australia’s NBL schedules game for Christmas Day

As sports enter the metaverse, could brands win big?

A year after the Games, a new life begins for Tokyo 2020 venues

China is Building the Stadium of the Future the Stadium of the Future

Sports fans are watching more games than ever through their mobile phones, study finds

Seahawks Celebrate Lumen Field’s 20 Year Anniversary With Stadium Enhancements

MLB All-Star Game Showcased Fan Friendly Technology

Liverpool FC kicks off YouTube subscription model

Celebrating the ten-year Green & Gold Runway to Brisbane 2032

SOCIOS.COM PARTNERS WITH SARACENS TO BRING ITS FAN ENGAGEMENT AND REWARDS PLATFORM TO RUGBY UNION

City stadium on backburner as big screens, upgrades on way for Bruce and Manuka Oval

AFL hits record as fans flock to sign up

Cubs Trail Only Red Sox as Most Expensive Fan Experience in Baseball

The Barassi Line: a globally unique divider splitting Australia’s footy fans

Footy Skills Lab levels the playing field with new accessibility features

Cbus Stadium gets the big picture

While Clear’s tech is well-respected, the company is still figuring out where it fits in the sports world

Companies are using AI to monitor your mood during sales calls. Zoom might be next.

Timber Rattlers offer peanut-free games

Challenges of Building Emotional Loyalty in Changing Customer Landscape

Younger consumers lack loyalty, so how can brands retain them?

All-Star Game Fan Festival Opens at LA Convention Center

NFL’s Mission: Reach As Many Fans As Possible

America’s favorite family outings are increasingly out of reach

100 year old Raiders fan ready to blow the Viking Horn

State Of Origin III, QLD vs NSW, NRL, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, 13/07/22

State of Origin at the Cauldron is always something special but last night at Suncorp Stadium will go down in history as one of the great nights in Queensland Rugby League Maroons history.

A huge shout out and praise to the National Rugby League Queensland Rugby League, Suncorp Stadium Stadium and all the catering and cleaning staff plus of course the players and fans who put on this spectacle at Lang Park together last night.

Starting the fan journey on a chilly night in Brisbane (12C 🙂) I made my way into Roma Street Station via free included public transport on the train and walked down a pumping and lively Caxton Street a few hours before kick off.

Making my way into the fan zone past the giant QLD and NSW inflatable heads it was impressive to see the quality event presentation on show with QLD members able to collect free hats as well as specially designed cane toad head pieces as part of the Kane’s Crew QLD cheer squad.

The fan zone was alive with skills drills games for fans young and old featuring sponsor activations from Coates , Chemist Warehouse, Youi Insurance and Hisense Group while once inside the ground the welcome to country, indigenous dance and player line up announcements looked incredible, especially with the light show, fireworks and vibrantly colourful light up posts (why haven’t we done the latter sooner!).

A special shout out to the staffer who helped a young fan reunite with his mum after momentarily getting caught up in the exit while on that topic, it couldn’t be easier to leave the venue and walk up Caxton Street or to Milton station to get away and catch free public transport home post game. Just makes the end of the night seamless and positive.

An absolute edge of your seat action packed thriller and one where we got to say, ‘we were there!’ ….how good is it to be back full strength with live sport!

Well done to all involved 👍

Some insights into kids at school today across grade 2-6 on #Origin last night from big lunch playground chats:

– Majority had to go to bed by half time/9pm (mums call they said) so is an earlier start time something to consider? Unlikely…
– Most were shocked by the biff
– Ecstatic with the game + plays + action ‘Ponga was unreal!’
– Biggest audience 10-12 years (younger kids not as interested)
– Increased knowledge of HIA/concussion issues/concerned for players welfare especially Cobbo whose highly rated by kids
– More girls than boys excited by the match (many coming on they say from having watched NRLW and Women’s origin)
– Wanted to know what the hell the weird thing was fans were wearing on their heads…. Kane’s Crew canetoad hats!
– Pizza was the standout takeaway meal 🍕
– Many had family parties/neighbour get-togethers
– Few said they would now ask olds to take them to an NRL game
– Most watched via FTA TV with family but some older kids watched via streaming on mobile
– Thought the pre-game light up goal posts were a cool feature
– Thought I was rich paying $90 for a ticket before I told them that was the cheapest on offer!
– Loved the stats on tv of player speeds
– Could name majority of players from both teams not just Queensland Rugby League
– Ponga the absolute stand out hero that they love
– None of them knew who Powderfinger were haha 😆

Was great to see so many boys and girls run up to me today while kicking soccer balls (still the most popular lunch time sport no matter what school I’m at!) to ask what the atmosphere was like at Suncorp Stadium and tell me their thoughts on the big match. Kids often have a very interesting take on things that some of us oldies might not think about.

Brisbane Broncos NRL Fan Experience at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, 10/07/2022

The Brisbane Broncos put on an absolute fan experience master class today at Suncorp Stadium for the 30th anniversary of the 1992 National Rugby League NSWRL Grand Final win.

All week the Broncos front of house has been producing stellar content online and throughout the club for fans with the focus on this Heritage Round clash and they have done an absolutely marvellous effort for fans both on-field, at the venue and online.

From the extremely popular FREE trading cards (hat tip to their designer as these are outstanding!) to the pet zoo that had kids going wild in the Paddock Club to the Tina Turner singer performing classic retro hits at half time, this was a very good game day and testament to the positive family vibes and stellar fan engagement that the Broncos team put on.

The photo booth activation inside the ground was also a cool experience to participate in and similar to one I did back at Staples Center for a LA Kings game in 2015.

The Broncos did a really good job with the retro merchandise too which was flying out of the stadium with caps and special commemorative shirts as well as the 1992 retro and 2022 heritage jerseys being big winners amongst fans today.

The pre-game lap of honour by the class of 1992 along with the fireworks, Buck the Bronco horse and the RACE THE KIA man were all fun highlights for fans too.

As always the fan journey to the ground is outstanding with free travel on public transport (a good tip for anyone driving and parking in the city that the King George Square car park is $5 on weekends and has dedicated pram bays) while I have to give a shout out to the Suncorp Stadium baby change rooms which were clean while the staff member who helped fill up Ramona’s water bottle offered superb customer service and awareness.

Ramona and I had a fantastic family day on her annual visit for a Broncos game day at Suncorp Stadium.

Sport is just so wonderful how it brings us together ❤️

Australia Wallabies Test Match Fan Experience at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, Queensland, 09/07/2022

A really great atmosphere on Saturday night at Suncorp Stadium for the Wallabies Rugby Australia versus England Rugby match which finished in a 25-17 win for the Poms.

The fan zone was particularly impressive with loads of exciting free #fanengagement activations for fans such as free try cards for fans as well as:

– NAIDOC hand paintings station
– Cadbury cheer box and in-ground decibel reader.
– Barbershop with expert barbers trimming fans beards
– Skills drills
– Player autographs with kids loving this as the players past and present roamed the outside concourses
– Live music. The band was particularly impressive and had the crowd going off
– Face painting
– Battle of the bands

The digital QR code program was useful while the welcome to country was one of the best I’ve seen around the grounds with the man doing this really revving up the crowd.

I also thought it was outstanding to be able to watch the previous game between Ireland and New Zealand over a beer in the fan zone before heading into the ground.

It’s fantastic that the venue has within the past year opened a dedicated VEGAN outlet on the bottom concourse near 301 because this shows how inclusive they are for fans. It’s great to also see the sustainability on show with the dedicated bottle only bins for recycling.

It was also very pleasant to see how respectful everyone was to the staff at the ground too who were doing a good job in what will be a busy week for #suncorpstadium with three more huge games coming up in Brisbane Broncos Queensland Rugby League Origin and Leeds United Brisbane Roar FC all of which I’ll be attending.

FAN ENGAGEMENT FRIDAY: NEWS FROM AROUND THE GROUNDS 03/06/2022

10 sports marketing trends modern marketers need to watch

MLS and adidas unveil 2022 Primeblue kits to inspire action against plastic waste

Forced fan engagement at the footy falls flat

Women at the Track: A team of women who help make Indy 500 race day happen

US$16 can of Stella Artois at MLS stadium sparks outrage

How Supply Chain Issues Are Impacting the Sports Industry

Northern Territory AFL taskforce unveils $300 million Darwin CBD stadium as expansion centrepiece

How deepening the connection with sports fans helps sports-brands

Poor customer service is strangling business growth

SAP partners with New Zealand Rugby for digital transformation

Date with destiny: The wild ride from Project Apollo lift-off to now

Crypto and sports bet on winning combination to woo fans

Meta Partners with NBA for Virtual Reality Fan Engagement Games, Activities

Meet the TT fan who has travelled from Germany to the Isle of Man for every race since 1981

8 new food options at the Mariners’ T-Mobile Park, including a $3 hot dog (!?) — plus which to avoid

“The role of each brand is really important”: Inside PepsiCo’s Champions League sponsorship

AC Milan ‘moves closer to fanbase’ with Betsson partnership

England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland FAs agree M&S Food deal

Warriors Up for Multiple Fan Favorite Honors

WATCH: Liverpool fans travel to France by dinghy after flights cancelled

Football fans allowed for China’s Covid-delayed kick-off

IPL 2022 Final: World’s Largest Jersey Unveiled Ahead Of GT vs RR High-Voltage Clash In Ahmedabad – WATCH

Rise of the global fan: Just ONE PER CENT of Manchester City’s supporters actually live in the UK as the biggest Premier League clubs use social media, content in 14 languages and even the metaverse to reach out to fans around the world

Athletic director, social media weigh in on public alcohol sales at Georgia football home games

‘Fans’ explores how cheering for sports impacts people’s psyche, behavior and attitude

Cost of Hobart stadium likely to be higher than $750m, documents show

Astor Park murals tie together Crew Stadium and commercial development

Can I talk to a human? Spain presents customer service bill

Spanish government proposes law banning automated customer service

Introducing UEFA Play: All you need to know about UEFA’s new music and audio content hub

‘We want to be penetrating popular culture’: How McLaren Racing are engaging the next generation of motorsport fans

ABBA Arena raises the bar for temporary architecture

The Fan Connection: The Impact Connectivity Has on the Fan Experience

Data drives fan experience at D.C. United

Super League Triathlon offering fans franchise control via LiveLike platform

The law catches up with viagogo – event promoters and music fans are the winners

Real Betis launch jersey NFTs in Fancurve’s first soccer club partnership

Lakers Logo Earns Top Marks Across the Board in Recent Fan Survey

Infosys and Roland-Garros Launch Digital Innovations to Bring Alive the Tournament’s Legacy, While Equipping Future Generations Through a New STEM Initiative

The Sports Fans Who Root for…the Referees

Crypto and NFTs: Virtually there? Just a start so far A third of fans embrace crypto and NFTs, but the rest have concerns about regulation and real value

EFL CEO Trevor Birch writes open letter on crowd behaviour

What Makes Good Customer Service?

Brands Are Getting More Personal, but How Are Customers Responding?

Why Consistency Is Vital to Your Branding Efforts

Matchday experience for disabled fans ‘unfit for purpose’

Fans kroberts@abqjournal.com Fri May 20 10:02:13 -0600 2022 1653062529 FILENAME: 1942877.jpg

Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs NRL Fan Experience at Belmore Sports Ground, Sydney, Australia 29/05/2022

Today was a game day fan experience that I’ve been wanting to do since the mid 90’s when I watched the Canterbury Bulldogs defeat Manly in the 1995 ARL Grand Final.

I started the fan journey with a 25-minute train ride from Central Station to Belmore station before walking around the local streets to soak up the suburb and the game-day vibe. Blue and white streamers, balloons, and posters lined the shopfronts and it was evident that the locals really get behind the Bulldogs and game days here.

The trip out to Belmore Sports Ground was enjoyable as I talked to a few Bulldogs fans on the train about Terry Lamb and the Dogs on what was a glorious Sunday afternoon in Sydney for my third and final game day this weekend in town.

Hopping off the train at Belmore it was a quick walk following the Bulldogs fans the short distance to the Belmore ground entrance and through Terry Lamb reserve park. The Bulldog’s street art livened up the concrete facades while gate staff were pleasant, smiling, and wished us a good day at the match.

I had wanted to check out some of the plaques, murals, memorbillia and the Canterbury Leagues Club which is adjacent to the train station however time got away from me as I wanted to get to the ground early. I’ll endeavour to check these out next time I’m out this way as I hope to be back for another game day at Belmore down the track.

It was really exciting upon entry to just soak up this gorgeous suburban footy ground from the grassy hill to the Peter Moore scoreboard and canteen. I walked around the length and breadth of the venue taking in all the angles from the Bulldog’s front entrance to the white bench seats and the main stand.

The food and beverage selection consisted of local food trucks and canteens selling standard footy fare like pies and chips along with kids’ favourites in cotton candy and ice cream while gourmet food items were also on offer and looked tasty from local businesses. Prices were standard from $5-15 while mid-strength cans of beer were $8 with only one beer variety available in Great Northern for obvious reasons given the one-off event here and the planning involved for catering. As for the beer tray price watch, these were free here. It’s always interesting to see the little things like the price of beer trays. Over this weekend they’ve ranged from $1.50 to 80c to free!

The fan engagement for kids and families was quality with face painting and kids jumping castle but even more, kids were just having fun rolling down the hills and passing or kicking footies with their families which looked like an enjoyable experience.

Toilets were scattered on either side and lines were only really heavy at halftime with men and women being able to get in and out fairly quickly from what I could witness.

The hill was absolutely packed and looked incredible today with Bulldogs, Dragons, and Illawarra Steelers fans with 16,991 fans turning out to make this a huge sell-out crowd. It was a real carnival footy vibe with fans fully engaged in the community spirit of suburban footy as well as reconciliation week and the focus of the Indigenous round.

The Indigenous focus for NRL Indigenous Round featured a respectful welcome to country, singers, and music on the land of the Dharug, Eora & Bediagal Peoples.

The dogs tried to come back a few times but the Dragons pulled away too quickly and ran out 34-24 winners on a sunny but very windy and chilly day at Belmore. I was very glad I brought my heavy retro Bulldogs jersey to the game as it was very chilly on the hill by 4pm.

The merchandise tent and mobile store had fans lined up as items like the indigenous jersey and retro cord Bulldogs caps went flying out the door. I really liked seeing the use of the old Bulldogs logos too around the venue and on merchandise and hope other teams start to bring these back as well.

I also thought that it was clever that some fans had brought in their own milk crates to enable their kids to get a better vantage point on the hill as well.

The exit from the match was easy with the train station right at the stadium and within a 5-8 minute walk before the 20-odd minute train ride back to the Sydney CBD.

I was so excited today to tick off another Australian sporting venue in Belmore Sports Ground and would encourage any fan to get out here the next time they bring a game day here as it is truly something special to witness at such an iconic ground.

Cronulla Sharks NRL Fan Experience at Points Bet Stadium/Shark Park, Cronulla, Sydney, 28/05/22

It was a cool night in Sydney as I made the trek from Central station down south to Woolaware station in Cronulla for the Sharks versus Roosters (Cronulla vs Easts) NRL rugby league match at Points Bet Stadium or Shark Park (or Caltex Field) for the league aficionados.

Taking the train for about $5 one way on the Sutherland line I left the city at about 5pm to travel the hour or so to the closest train station within walking distance to the stadium.

Arriving into Woolaware station just after 6pm, I walked the 15 minutes or so south through unlit suburban Cronulla streets to the stadium with other fans who had made the same journey.

It’s an easy walk to the venue and you can hear the music and see the lights from the distance as you get closer but it’s also very dark along the path of the back streets to the ground so careful on your feet.

The stadium is undergoing construction all around it both for the stadium and for the buildings close by however this didn’t stop the game from being a sell-out with fans flocking to the popular indigenous round game tonight.

This is an old-school venue without the bells and whistles, without the tech, with the lines and bottlenecks but it’s also a ground with soul, community vibes and a charm that is hard to beat. The fans bring the atmosphere and combined with the energy on the hill, the match days here are electric and pumping.

Walking into the venue through the old turnstile hut, we were greeted with a polite welcome and asked if we knew where we were going which is 10/10 for customer service and the fan journey to have someone offer to assist you in my opinion.

Making my way inside I grabbed a beer at the first bar I found which was charging $8.50 for middies but in tinnies and 80c for a cardboard tray. The ability to get an ice-cold tin at the footy seems to be lost in some states’ venues across Australia but in Sydney, it’s great to be able to crack a coldie and take up a view from the hill. It’s relaxed and enjoyable to stand on the grassy hill, strike up a conversation with other fans and take in the action on the field. Retro sharks jerseys were abundant tonight and you could have made about 20 full teams of players in Power’s Brewers retros or Aussie Duct kits.

I walked around the venue a couple of times to soak it all up here, from the smells of hot cinnamon donuts and spicy bratwursts cooking to the sounds of laughter from families and kids rolling down the hill and kicking footies to each other. It’s all just a really positive community vibe out here at Cronulla.

The food and beverages ranged from the standard fare of pies and hot dogs to gourmet bratwursts (standard $12 and double bangers $20!) and buttermilk chicken burgers and crisps for $15.50. There was also ice cream, souvlaki, nachos, and the ever-popular chips on a stick. Prices were standard for footy matches with the main difference being the abundance of local gourmet food truck offerings. Lines were long at times and bottlenecks formed due to the compact size of the venue and narrow concourses however like most venues you can bring in your own snacks and it’s always best to grab food before the match kicks off plus these lines got smaller as the game got underway.

The fan engagement (kids jumping castle) and activations from sponsors (player photo ops and giveaways to fans) as well as the half time entertainment were quality with the indigenous focus for NRL Indigenous Round being a highlight to see Australian country legend Col Hardy perform ‘I am, You Are, We Are Australian’ to a rapturous sing-along and applause from the crowd. The fireworks and music also added to the atmosphere.

A highlight before kick-off was the exceptional welcome to country by a lovely lady whose name I missed on the night. This indigenous elder spoke so beautifully about respect, inclusion and community and summed up so perfectly the basis of the round and also what we can all do to make our country a more respectful and tolerant place to live in.

The Kurranulla Sharks got flogged from the get-go by the Gadigal Roosters in this one-sided match with Easts running out 36-16 winners in a dissapointing night for local fans and a score I didn’t predict and which ruined my tips. All was not lost though as we and many others had a fantastic time at Shark Park with local fans.

The exit home from Shark Park was a brisk 15-minute walk back to the train station at Woolaware and then a 50-minute train ride home to Central station. The only downside was that the toilets were locked at Woolaware station which frustrated some fans and even police who were annoyed that they couldn’t use them.

Overall a quality night out at Cronulla’s home venue of Points Bet/Shark Park stadium with much to enjoy about the fan experience here on a moving indigenous round night.