A freeze on stadium spending will follow the March 25 NSW election, irrespective of a Coalition or Labor victory, with both sides of politics committing to investment in grassroots sport despite the risk of losing major international events and elite athletes to Queensland and Victoria.
Both states are investing heavily in sporting infrastructure and elite athlete services ahead of the Brisbane Olympics in 2032 and the Commonwealth Games in regional Victoria in 2026. Meanwhile, the two-decade long failure to reconfigure the Olympic stadium at Homebush may cost Sydney opportunities to host big matches, including the
final of the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
Dominic Perrottet’s NSW government supports the NRL’s push for suburban stadiums but is committed only to a $300 million upgrade of the Penrith stadium, with the NSW Minister for Sport, Alister Henskens, saying, “The NSW Liberal and Nationals Government has invested significantly in both community and major sporting infrastructure across the state and remains committed to upgrading suburban stadiums however following recent natural disasters and the COVID-19 pandemic, it is appropriate that further investment in stadia is staged.”
NSW Labor leader Chris Minns said, “While we have not committed to additional stadium expenditure ahead of the election, if elected we will work with the local and international sporting bodies to see what we can do to make sure more major events keep coming to Sydney.”
Dominic Perrottet and Chris Minns have pledged to focus on grassroots sport as NSW’s northern and southern neighbours continue to pick up large events and athletes alike.
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