Is Adelaide Oval too small?

[Matchu]

Capacity: 53,583
2014 Crows average: 48,046 (1st in the league)
2014 Port average: 44,521 (4th in the league)
2014 lowest crowd: 34,258 (Port v Bulldogs)
2014 50k+ crowds: 9

Now we know the stadium has an open end (see below) that could probably be filled in and take the stadium capacity to 70k. The SACA has said in the past that they will not touch that area because of its historical significance but often when it comes to situations like this money does the talking. The traditional cricket scoreboard could easily be maintained while adding a grandstand. So, is Adelaide Oval too small and should it be upgraded?

 

[GUMBLETRON]

The end will be filled eventually, but in the meantime there's nothing wrong with a sellout.

 

[Kappa]

Capacity: 53,583
2014 Crows average: 48,046 (1st in the league)
2014 Port average: 44,521 (4th in the league)
2014 lowest crowd: 34,258 (Port v Bulldogs)
2014 50k+ crowds: 9

Now we know the stadium has an open end (see below) that could probably be filled in and take the stadium capacity to 70k. The SACA has said in the past that they will not touch that area because of its historical significance but often when it comes to situations like this money does the talking. The traditional cricket scoreboard could easily be maintained while adding a grandstand. So, is Adelaide Oval too small and should it be upgraded?

Didn't the last major upgrade finish like a year ago? It's fantastic at the moment, doesn't need to be changed for another 10 years

 

[AstonSouffle]

It's all about the money. Plus in all honesty this isn't a sledge but the tarp fiasco is quite literal proof that they shouldn't be hasty in an upgrade.

Two years is much too short to be sure the levels Port has grown to is sustainable. Especially when it's off the back of success rather than die hard support.

If it stay like this 5 years from now? Yes it'll need an upgrade.

But mind you, don't stick your head in the sand and ignore the merits of in demand seats. Maybe 50,000 is perfect?

 

[Fyfetheknife]

no.

 

[Perry Pie]

If there was +50,000 almost every week (say 18 times a year) then there might be a case. But, the evidence at the moment is the ground is just about the perfect size for the two clubs.

 

[Nutsngum]

Youve got probably one of the most gorgeous stadiums in the world to call your home ground with those fig trees dominating that end so dont complain.

 

[MightyHawks]

Wait 5 years at least to see if it's a novelty issue with a new stadium or if Port need to be a top side to pull a crowd

 

[Concussion]

The size is perfect.
It needs to be close to capacity every week to insure Members keep buying memberships and the clubs can increase membership revenues.
If Port can up its 11 game members to the 40-45k mark over the coming years and sustain those levels then there may be a case for expansion, but until then it's a non-issue.

 

[PrideOf]

Capacity: 53,583
2014 Crows average: 48,046 (1st in the league)
2014 Port average: 44,521 (4th in the league)
2014 lowest crowd: 34,258 (Port v Bulldogs)
2014 50k+ crowds: 9

Now we know the stadium has an open end (see below) that could probably be filled in and take the stadium capacity to 70k. The SACA has said in the past that they will not touch that area because of its historical significance but often when it comes to situations like this money does the talking. The traditional cricket scoreboard could easily be maintained while adding a grandstand. So, is Adelaide Oval too small and should it be upgraded?

No it doesn't, but I think your other problem here is that the AFL wants to shunt people towards a subscription service. They're actually better off if there's a sellout and a mountain of people who can't get in.

 

[L_W_P]

Keep it as is for now.

Best stadium and atmosphere in the country.

 

[bombersfan4000]

give it a few years at least & see if the novelty of the wears thin.
now days & this current generation arnt going out as much as what they use to & its likely going to continue that way.
you can see every game live on TV or streaming on the internet now days for a small fee or nothing. with the NCN being built the quality of those being broadcast into people's homes means the quality is only going to get better.

 

[telsor]

Considering the costs/profits don't seem to be what was hoped, you might want to consider carefully expanding it and thus adding to the costs.

As others have said, you probably want a bigger timeline and a wider set of results before you make such a call.

 

[Big_Money_Papa]

I hope it never is upgraded. Drinking brews with lads on the Hill whilst sledging Troy Chaplin is better than any tier seats.

 

[Changaneen]

Please leave as is.

 

[HolyWars]

AO is next to perfect now. I hope it stays as it is for a long while.

 

[jackess]

1 year especially when Port is playing well is way too small a sample size. When Port are struggling again they won't be filling half the stadium. Crows crowds will also drop back when the novelty factor wears off.

Also they have to keep the hill.

 

[basashi]

It is not Adelaide oval that is too small. The new Perth stadium is too small.

 

[Changaneen]

When Port are struggling again they won't be filling half the stadium.

Dont know where this perception is coming from. Ok, when we start struggling again, crowds will drop off, like most teams, but to say we wont be filling half the stadium is rubbish. Footy in the city is going to draw bigger numbers regardless, than it ever did at footy park.

 

[jackess]

Dont know where this perception is coming from. Ok, when we start struggling again, crowds will drop off, like most teams, but to say we wont be filling half the stadium is rubbish. Footy in the city is going to draw bigger numbers regardless, than it ever did at footy park.

I was factoring that in. Half the stadium is about 27K. What were you guys getting at AAMI? Less than 20K wasn't it? So Port will get maybe 25K most weeks when they are struggling IMO.

 

[Changaneen]

I was factoring that in. Half the stadium is about 27K. What were you guys getting at AAMI? Less than 20K wasn't it? So Port will get maybe 25K most weeks when they are struggling IMO.

The lowest we have ever averaged was the 2012 season, which was about 20,000, when all hope was nearly lost and at rock bottom. IMO we will never fall to those levels again. Yes,they may drop, but not to less than half capacity. It wont happen.

 

[Eddie Dingle]

I think the OP can safely be filed under "Getting ahead of yourself".




Let's just see how both clubs go for a few years before we start expanding a twelve month old stadium...

 

[Dalphonso]

It's all about the money. Plus in all honesty this isn't a sledge but the tarp fiasco is quite literal proof that they shouldn't be hasty in an upgrade.

Two years is much too short to be sure the levels Port has grown to is sustainable. Especially when it's off the back of success rather than die hard support.

If it stay like this 5 years from now? Yes it'll need an upgrade.

But mind you, don't stick your head in the sand and ignore the merits of in demand seats. Maybe 50,000 is perfect?

You may get caned on this issue but technically you are correct.The move to the inner city to a better state of the art modern stadium has made football far more user friendly therefore increasing crowds. However it would be stymied if Port lapsed into the dire straits that we were 3 years ago.The club was at the bottom of the pit and couldn't fall any further.The AFL would not allow that to happen again even if our form slides in the next few years. Now all they have to do is fix up the stadium deal where us and the Cows are still getting shafted.

 

[Mr_Moogle]

It's going to be hard to justify extra seats when Port starts losing again and nobody shows up to their games.

 

[Macca19]

Lets wait 5-7 years to see if both Port & Adelaides revert back to what they were. In any case, demand being higher than supply for a while is a good thing.