Accessibility within sporting stadiums and venues has fast become a factor in the design and redevelopment of major stadiums.

One such stadium affected by this, is Allianz Stadium, Sydney.

Allianz Stadium is currently undergoing redevelopment works.  The first of many upcoming upgrades to the stadium and surrounding precinct, is the improvement and replacement of the stadiums ‘big screens’ to accommodate for larger more advanced screens.

As a result of this upgrade, the current accessible wheelchair spaces have had to be moved to accommodate for the new larger screens as the new screens block the view from where the wheelchair spaces were positioned.

The new locations of the wheelchair seating spaces within bays 24 & 25 have meant the removal of several rows of tiered fixed seating from those bays.  This has had an impact on current members of the clubs which call Allianz Stadium home which previously had held season tickets in those seats. 

How do I know this? My parents are two of those people affected by the relocation of the wheelchair seating spaces as they hold season memberships with Sydney FC in the affected area.

Sydney FC, The SCG Trust and Allianz Stadium have worked together to find the best design result for the relocation of the accessible wheelchair seating spaces and also to accommodate for the people who have been affected by the relocation.

The new location of the wheelchair seating spaces comply with current Australian Standards and provide people in a wheelchair the same opportunity to view a game of football, league or union as any other person within the stadium has.

John La Scala