Sydney Showground (Homebush Bay)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Location Sydney Olympic Park, Homebush Bay, New South Wales.
Coordinates Google Map
Broke ground 1996
Opened 1998
Renovated 2001
Owner
Operator Royal Agricultural Society of NSW
Surface Grass
Former names
Sydney Baseball Stadium
Tenants
Sydney Royal Easter Show
Canterbury Bulldogs(1998-2004)
Capacity
21,000
Field dimensions Left Field – 340 ft (103 m)
Center-Left Field – 385 ft (117 m)
Center Field – 440 ft (134 m)*
Center-Right Field – 385 ft (117 m)
Right Field – 340 ft (103 m)
*Center Field fence was moved closer for ABL games.

The Sydney Showground is located the Sydney suburb of Homebush Bay, New South Wales, Australia. It was opened in 1998, as a venue for the Sydney 2000 Olympics and to replace the ageing old Sydney Showground in Moore Park. The Sydney Showground is used for the Sydney Royal Easter Show.

Sydney Showground is one of Sydney's premier Event and Exhibition venues, with various sized halls able to accommodate almost any type of exhibit. Located within Sydney Olympic Park, Sydney Showground is close to major arterial roads for travelling into and around Sydney. Sydney Olympic Park rail station is connected to the Sydney rail network, there are several bus routes and a ferry route to Sydney Olympic Park, as well as nearly 10,000 car parking spaces.

For exhibitors and show visitors, the Novotel and Hotel Ibis Sydney Olympic Park overlook Sydney Showground, providing 3 to 4 1/2 star accommodation, as well as a restaurant, two bars and a bistro. A new 5-star hotel called Pullman at Sydney Olympic Park is scheduled to open in September 2008, and a 2-star Formule 1 is also under construction 5 minutes walk from the Showground.

Several food outlets are also located near Sydney Showground, including Subway, McDonals, Gloria Jeans, Muffin Break, as well as outlets selling kebabs, gozleme, burgers and sushi.

[edit] Showring

The main showring hosted the Sydney Storm in the Australian Baseball League for the 1998-99 championship. During the Olympics, it was the main baseball venue but since the finals, no other baseball game has been played at the venue.

In 2001, the Canterbury Bulldogs of the NRL moved their home games to the Sydney Showground, playing there until 2005 when they moved to ANZ Stadium (formerly Telstra Stadium) located a short distance up the road. The arena is also used for the Big Day Out, Big Exo Day and many other events including the Australian Speedway Championships.

[edit] External links