Crowds return to Melbourne stadiums
Melbourne’s sports stadiums will welcome back spectators this weekend following the announcement of further easing of covid restrictions by the Victorian government.
As of Friday, stadiums will be able to be filled to 50% of their capacity, with a cap of 25,000 for outdoor stadiums and 5000 for indoor stadiums.
It means the A-League Grand Final at AAMI Park on Sunday will be able to have 14,700 fans in the stands, while 5000 can attend Friday’s NBL Grand Final game 3 at John Cain Arena, and 25,000 can attend both the MCG and Marvel Stadium for AFL matches across the weekend.
Melbourne hasn’t hosted sports events with a crowd for more than a month due to a snap lockdown enforced by the government. Five events have since been held behind closed doors, with others forced interstate. Geelong’s home game against the Bulldogs last Friday was permitted to have up to 7000 fans due to GMHBA Stadium being in regional Victoria.
With sport back up and running in Melbourne, it provides the perfect opportunity for punters to to get a bonus code bet365 and back a team, especially for the A-League season decider.
The AFL had lobbied the Victorian government for 50% crowds (with no cap) this weekend, but authorities will instead take a cautious approach with a 25,000 cap, before increasing to 85% of capacity with no cap in place next weekend (from July 1), subject to public health advice.
There are eight events scheduled in Melbourne this weekend, including five AFL games, with three of those at the MCG. This includes the GWS Giants v Hawthorn game on Sunday which has been moved from Sydney due to the unfolding covid situation there. The action kicks-off Friday night with Richmond v St Kilda at the MCG, while Essendon takes on Melbourne at the G the following day and across town, Collingwood hosts Fremantle at Marvel Stadium. Priority for tickets will be given to AFL and club members, as well as MCC Members.
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Melbourne City was forced to play its home semi-final against Macarthur last weekend in Sydney due to no crowds permitted at AAMI Park, and the Grand Final was also at risk before confirmation of the 50% capacity restriction. The season-decider, against Sydney FC, was originally scheduled for Saturday, and will now take place Sunday commencing at 5pm.
A-League Commissioner, Greg O'Rourke stated “this announcement means that Melbourne City are deservedly able to play a Grand Final at home in front of a raucous crowd and we hope as many Sydney FC fans as possible will be there, given evolving COVID-19 restrictions across Victoria and NSW, to make it an enthralling occasion.”
In the NBL, Melbourne United was forced to play the opening two games of the Grand Final series in Perth, despite finishing top of the ladder. The remaining games in the five-game series against the Wildcats will be played at John Cain Arena, starting Friday night and then Sunday/Wednesday if required.
With the smaller crowds at Melbourne’s sports venues this weekend, stadiums will block off areas, meaning spectators won’t be evenly spread around the entire venue. The MCG will close the top level in the southern and northern stands, while at John Cain Arena, the upper sections of seating have been blocked out by curtains.
Meanwhile in New South Wales, the Sydney Roosters have today relocated their round 16 NRL clash against the Melbourne Storm from the SCG to McDonald Jones Stadium in Newcastle, while games scheduled in Sydney next week will be played in empty stadiums. There are no NRL games this weekend due to the representative break.
You can view the current Covid stadium restrictions around Australia and a list of impacted events here.
