Accessibility has become a significant factor in designing and redeveloping major stadiums. One such stadium affected by this is Allianz Stadium in 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 stadium’s ‘big screens’ to accommodate larger, more advanced screens. As a result of this upgrade, the accessible wheelchair spaces were moved, as the new screens blocked the view from where they were positioned.
Moving the wheelchair seating within bays 24 and 25 meant removing several rows of tiered fixed seating from those bays. This has affected current members of the clubs that call Allianz Stadium home, who previously held season tickets in those seats. How do I know this? My parents held season memberships with Sydney FC in the affected area and were impacted by the relocation of the wheelchair seating.
Sydney FC, The SCG Trust and Allianz Stadium have worked together to find the best design for relocating accessible wheelchair seating while also accommodating the people who have been affected by the relocation. The new wheelchair seating location complies with current Australian standards and provides people in wheelchairs the same opportunity to view a game of football, league or union, as any other person within the stadium.