The NSW government has doubled down on its refusal to let South Sydney out of its long-term deal at Accor Stadium and return to Moore Park, citing data detailing the Rabbitohs’ vast fan base in the city’s west.
Souths will complete their season on Friday night against fierce rivals the Sydney Roosters at the $828 million Allianz Stadium, which the club wants to move to after two decades at Sydney Olympic Park.
South Sydney’s Cody Walker walks out onto Allianz Stadium ahead of the Rabbitohs’ round 24 match against Parramatta.Credit: Getty Images
The Rabbitohs have had supporters such as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese advocate for the relocation of their home games to their traditional territory and City of Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore has campaigned on their behalf.
But the state government rejected their request to get out of their contract to play at Accor Stadium, which runs until 2030, saying it would cost between $20 million and $70 million over the remainder of the deal in commercial revenue.
In a letter sent to Moore by Sports Minister Steve Kamper seen by this masthead, he also quotes Souths’ supporter numbers beyond their local catchment area.
“I am aware of the strong support the Rabbitohs have in Sydney’s south-east. I’m also aware that the team’s popularity extends far beyond as a result of nearly 20 years of home matches at Accor Stadium, the site of their 2014 NRL grand final win. Indeed, the club’s own membership data shows that as matches were moved west, fans followed,” Kamper wrote in the letter in August .
“Publicly available Rabbitohs membership demographic data shows that in 2015, more than 20 per cent of the club’s membership lived west of Accor Stadium. Further, 22 per cent of Rabbitohs fans lived from Strathfield through to Liverpool and Campbelltown, 16 per cent in the Hills District, Parramatta and Greater West, 20 per cent in the inner-west or south-east such as Hurstville or Menai, 16 per cent from the Central Coast, Illawarra or other regional areas, and 10 per cent in Sydney’s eastern suburbs including Randwick, Coogee, Maroubra and Botany.”
The Rabbitohs have called Accor Stadium home for nearly 20 years.Credit: Getty Images
Kamper told Moore the fan information helped explain why Souths in 2014 signed a venue hire agreement at the 83,500-capacity Accor Stadium, which they extended in 2016.
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