Bankwest Stadium has already attracted around 450,000 patrons to ticketed events, and around 27,000 visitors to functions, conferences, meetings and other events, since it opened in April 2019. The state-of-the-art stadium is the home of legendary sporting clubs the Parramatta Eels and Western Sydney Wanderers, and is set to host some of the world’s biggest entertainers, such as Elton John.
Six months on from Bankwest Stadium’s highly anticipated opening, industry leaders in hospitality, Accor, are praising the NSW Government initiative. Claiming the world-class stadium in Western Sydney is a NSW Government success story, with the stadium changing the way patrons interact with the facility, leading to a positive local economic impact, which extends well beyond the stadium itself.
According to a report commissioned by City of Parramatta Council, Parramatta’s local economy receives a million-dollar boost every time an event is held at the new Bankwest Stadium. Economic analysis was undertaken by Micromex Research, which revealed three sporting events at the stadium generated an estimated total of $2.92 million for the Parramatta Local Government Area, so far this year. Visitors spent an estimated $1.27 million inside Bankwest Stadium itself and an estimated $1.65 million in the Parramatta Local Government Area.
Furthermore, since the opening of Bankwest Stadium, hotels in Parramatta and surrounding areas are reporting unprecedented occupancy levels on event days that are continuing to climb to around 80%, up around 20%, when compared to non-event days. Bankwest Stadium has also had a positive impact on incremental spend, with Novotel Sydney Parramatta, for example, reporting an increase of over 50% spent at the restaurant, bar and parking, on game days.
Simon McGrath, Chief Operating Officer for Accor Pacific, oversees over 400 hotels across Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, French Polynesia, and Hawaii and says the NSW Government’s decision to invest in Bankwest Stadium as a world-class venue is a great tourism success story, which extends well-beyond the stadium itself.
“The opening of Bankwest Stadium has proven to be a real game changer for Western Sydney tourism. The new stadium has been instrumental in driving new demand to Western Sydney, with 89% of patrons attending events from outside Greater Parramatta, and 71% making at least one pre or post event purchase from the local area, which is contributing to a positive local economic impact, well beyond the stadium itself.
“The NSW Government has had the foresight to go beyond just upgrading the long-term home of the Parramatta Eels (NRL) and the Western Sydney Wanderers (A-League), they have invested in a world-class structure, which is also attracting sold-out music events like Elton John and Cold Chisel, offering patrons a unique experience, changing the way consumers interact with such venues. The stadium design itself brings fans closer to the action featuring the steepest grandstands in Australia and creating an awesome live event experience.
“We praise the NSW State Government on their commitment to bolstering tourism in Sydney and right across NSW, and we look forward to supporting future NSW Government tourism investment initiatives,” concluded McGrath.
Accor are the official accommodation partner of the NRL clubs and Holden State of Origin teams, taking care of their accommodation requirements across Australia and New Zealand. The partnership initially commenced in 2014 and will run through to 2021.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
