Latest News

Back to Latest News back

 

Crowds to return to Melbourne stadia as capacity limits removed for events and venues in Western Australia

Crowds to return to Melbourne stadia as capacity limits removed for events and venues in Western Australia
June 23, 2021

The Victorian Government will allow spectators to return to Melbourne's major sporting events this weekend as its eases COVID restrictions while the Western Australian Government has, as of today, removed crowd restrictions and size limits for major events and venues.

The Victorian Government has today confirmed crowds of up to 50% capacity, or a maximum of 25,000 people, will be allowed to attend games at Melbourne venues this weekend.

That means the A-League grand final between Melbourne City and Sydney FC on will go ahead at AAMI Park on Sunday, with 14,700 fans allowed to attend.

Welcoming the announcement, 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.”

AFL games in the city this weekend, commence with Richmond and St Kilda at the MCG on Friday night.

Collingwood then plays Fremantle at Docklands on Saturday afternoon, Essendon and Melbourne play at the MCG on Saturday night, and Carlton hosts Adelaide at Marvel Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

The GWS Giants will also play a home game against Hawthorn at the MCG on Sunday afternoon, a change forced by the developing COVID situation in NSW.

The AFL had lobbied the Victorian Government for a 50% capacity at the MCG and Marvel Stadium, but crowds will be capped at 25,000 fans this weekend before a planned boost to 85% capacity next week.

Victorian acting Premier, James Merlino today announced “from 11:59pm tomorrow night, outdoor stadiums can have 50% of the venue capacity up to 25,000 people.

"This means that the A-League grand final can proceed with 15,000 people and the MCG can host 25,000 people.”

In Western Australia, major events and venues will see crowd restrictions and size limits scrapped from today as it moves into phase five of its COVID-19 roadmap.

The further easing of rules includes the removal of the two-square-meter social distancing rule, as well as the 75% capacity limit for hospitality and entertainment venues in the state that includes the major city of Perth.

The move also means that major events of all kinds, such as festivals, can kick off again this week with no limits on size or crowds and venues such as music halls, nightclubs and museums able to open at 100% capacity.

Announcing that following updated health advice, the state would move to phase five of eased restrictions, Western Australian Premier, Mark McGowan advised yesterday “this change follows updated health advice, and means that Western Australia will continue to lead the way in having some of the lightest restrictions in the world.”

While the state is moving into phase 5 of its COVID-19 recovery, it will still require the use of contact registers, COVID safety plans for businesses and COVID event plans for large-scale events with more than 500 people.

In addition, Western Australia will maintain its controlled border with travel restrictions to remain in place to some remote Aboriginal communities.

Australian Live Music Business Council (ALMBC), which has been in negotiations with the Western Australian Government alongside promoters, has welcomed the news

ALMBC Chair, Stephen Wade noted “through the work done by the ALMBC we were clearly able to show the WA Government the positive impact the live music economy has on the overall entertainment economy in Perth.”

While the news has been welcomed by the live events industry, the chair of Events Industry Association WA, Tim Kennedy, said it would still be a challenge for organisers to hold events.

Kennedy told ABC News “events take a considerable amount of lead time and upfront investment to plan. To date, what we’ve seen is that in the event of a lockdown, events usually get cancelled almost immediately.

“Western Australia has been very open about being extremely conservative, in so far as how they react to potential outbreaks. While we can plan bigger events now and try and get back to some sort of normality, there is that hesitation (over) getting them off the ground.”

Image: Crowds at Perth's Optus Stadium.

Related Articles

16th June 2021 - COVID-19 lockdown sees AFL move Melbourne fixtures to Tasmania

7th June 2021 - AFL hits Adelaide Crows with $50,000 fine following breach of COVID-19 protocols

2nd May 2021 - Coronavirus fears sees fans barred from AFL western derby at Perth’s Optus Stadium

9th June 2021 - Lockdown easing allows brothels to reopen in regional Victoria under same terms as gyms, aquatic facilities and entertainment venues

8th June 2021 - Victoria’s Chief Health Officer warns of no large crowds when Melbourne lockdown ends

7th June 2021 - Victorian Government announces $32 million support package for lockdown impacted tourism businesses

2nd June 2021 - Melbourne’s stage three lockdown to be extended for another week while restrictions to ease in regional Victoria

28th May 2021 - Victorian COVID lockdown forces AFL to change weekend fixture plans

27th May 2021 - Victoria Government announces seven-day lockdown

23rd April 2021 - Perth’s snap three-day lockdown sees closure of aquatic centres, gyms and theatres while sport to proceed without fans

4th June 2021 - Return of international tours vital for Australia’s entertainment venues and promoters

11th November 2020 - Art experience promoter slams Governments for not releasing committed arts funding

6th November 2020 - Major Promoters commit to Australian Festival Association initiative to revitalise the sector

22nd October 2020 - Festival promoters call for Federal Government insurance scheme

4th May 2021 - Inconsistent capacity rules between entertainment and sport inflict further damage on live music

22nd March 2021 - Australian Live Music Business Council calls on government to ease COVID restrictions on venues

16th December 2020 - Coronavirus halted booming year for Australia’s live music sector

23rd October 2020 - Survey shows over 400 Australian Live Music Businesses face imminent closure

22nd June 2021 - Western Australian Government supports events industry with safety nets

17th May 2021 - Changes in Western Australian Government sector sees return of Rebecca Brown as Tourism WA Chief Executive

29th April 2021 - Easing of Western Australia’s Coronavirus restrictions will allow spectators at sport and gyms to reopen

8th April 2021 - Western Australian event organisers warned to keep advertising accurate

20th January 2021 - Western Australia’s live entertainment sector unhappy with state’s tighter event restrictions


Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.

 

supplier directory

The Complete Guide to Leisure Industry Products & Services.

See the directory see all

State Wide Pool Services

Known as Hydrilla since September 2020 - see www.ausleisure.com.au/suppliers/hydrilla-pty-ltd

read more

Aquatics

 
 

Intelligenz Solutions

Intelligenz provides Leisure Management Software for managing all your Program Registrations, Facility Bookings, Membership Sales and POS Transactions; including detailed Reporting, automated…

read more

Access / Billing / Finance / Marketing / Technology

 
 

Digonex

Digonex is a leading provider of customised dynamic pricing solutions to clients in arts and entertainment, sport, attractions, cultural institutions and retail sectors. Digonex’s technology is…

read more

Attractions / Entertainment / Sport / Technology / Ticketing

 
 

TicketSearch Pty Ltd

TicketSearch is focused on providing businesses, organisations, and venues with affordable, efficient, and powerful self-managed ticketing solutions. The organisation has offices in Australia, New…

read more

Attractions / Entertainment / Technology / Ticketing / Venues

 
 

AMPD Academy

Originally founded to meet the specific training requirements of its own venue management operations, Ampd Academy now embraces a broader mission to combat skill shortages across Australian…

read more

Aquatics / Attractions / Education / Recreation / Safety

 
 

Enta Australasia

As of the 1st July 2018, Enta Australasia Pty Ltd/Best Union has been rebranded as VIVATICKET Pty Ltd.  Click here to view the VIVATICKET Pty Ltd listing.  19th July 2018 - ENTA…

read more

Technology / Ticketing / Venues

 
 

SLE WORLDWIDE AUSTRALIA PTY LTD

SLE Worldwide Australia is a Managing General Underwriter specialising in insuring risks in the world of Sports, Leisure and Entertainment. Be it relaxing, playing, organising or watching sports,…

read more

Insurance / Venues

 
 

COMMERCIAL AQUATICS AUSTRALIA

Commercial Aquatics Australia provides aquatic solutions nationwide and is one of the largest and most experienced companies specialising in the design, construction, renovation, service, maintenance…

read more

Aquatics / Design / Play / Waterparks

 
 
 
 

get listed with our suppliers directory

Get your business noticed in our targeted directory. Viewed by 10,000 industry professionals per week!

list your business