- Four major sporting events from May to July drew 74,590 fans to polytec Stadium, along with thousands more to a Grand Final Live Site;
- A financial analysis shows that the big events delivered a $9.75 million boost in economic revenue for the Central Coast;
- More than 1250 local people were employed at the Stadium for these events, and the economic spinoffs created the equivalent of 50 new annual fulltime jobs on the Coast.
A run of four major sporting events at polytec Stadium has set new attendance records and delivered a $9.75 million boost in economic revenue for the Central Coast region.
A Stadium Data Analysis conducted by Central Coast Council – plus game-day ticketing report data – have revealed the true value of major sporting events at polytec Stadium, the Home of Live Sport, Entertainment and Community Events on the Central Coast.
With sports fans descending on the Central Coast for the Central Coast Mariners’ Semi-Final against Sydney FC (May 18), the historic A-League Grand Final Mariners v Melbourne Victory (May) 25, and back-to-back NRL blockbusters featuring Sydney Roosters v Canterbury Bulldogs (June 22) and South Sydney Rabbitohs v Wests Tigers (July 20), the events have been a boon for local businesses and driven the Central Coast region’s visitor economy to new heights.
The Council report estimates that the A-League Grand Final showpiece alone was worth $3 million in total economic activity on the Central Coast, with a total visitor spend of around $2 million.
The first A-League Grand Final ever held on the Central Coast smashed the all-time attendance record at polytec Stadium, with additional seating required to host 21,379 fans. Thousands more watched the Grand Final from a Live Site, set up outside the Stadium by Central Coast Council and supported by Destination NSW, so fans could be part of the historic Grand Final event.
More than 7,700 visitors stayed on the Central Coast on Grand Final weekend – driving a hotel occupancy rate above 90 per cent. The hotel occupancy rate reached 63.1 per cent for the Mariners v Sydney FC event and soared to 79.4 per cent for the Roosters v Bulldogs NRL game.
The Council report estimates the Mariners’ Semi-Final was worth $3 million in total economic revenue and the Roosters v Bulldogs game was worth $2 million.
All three of these events were sell-outs at polytec Stadium, with the Mariners’ Semi-Final attracting 20,059 fans and a weather-hit Sydney Roosters game drawing 16,868 fans through the gates.
It was the first time the Central Coast stadium has staged three consecutive sold-put events.
A fourth bumper sporting event – the South Sydney Rabbitohs v Wests Tigers NRL game on Saturday 20 July – drew a crowd of 16,284 and delivered another impressive boost to the Central Coast visitor economy.
polytec Stadium Venue Manager Kath Casey said a total of 1250 local people were employed directly at polytec Stadium for the four major sporting events.
The Stadium Data Analysis conducted by Central Coast Council suggests the equivalent of an additional 50 annual jobs have been created by the four major events.
polytec Stadium Manager Kath Casey said stadium operator VenuesLive had been responsible for bringing more events and more diversified content to the local stadium since being engaged by Central Coast Council in July 2022.
“When we bring quality events to the Central Coast, everyone in our community benefits and this new data from Council and ticketing demonstrate the extent of the benefits,” said Ms Casey.
“Visitation numbers increase, hotel beds are filled, and money is spent in the local community, bringing prosperity to the region and creating local jobs.
“Looking forward, I can reveal there are some very exciting family events to be announced for the summer months.”
Snapshot of Economic Benefits from 4 Major Sporting Events at polytec Stadium
A-League Grand Final, May 25.
Crowd: 21,379. Hotel occupancy rate 90%. Visitor spend $2m. Total economic value $3m.
A-League Semi-Final, May 18.
Crowd: 20,059. Visitor spend $1.8 million.
NRL Roosters v Bulldogs, June 22
Crowd: 16,868. Visitor spend $1.2 million.
NRL Rabbitohs v Tigers, July 20
Crowd: 16,284. Visitor spend $1 million.
Total attendance: 74,590. Visitor spend $6 million. Total economic value $9.75 million. 1250 locals employed at Stadium, 50 new fulltime jobs created on the Central Coast.
Sources:
Stadium Data Analysis, Central Coast Council, July 2024
polytec Stadium ticketing data
