THE Sydney derby is not only heading for a sellout crowd this weekend but will also likely surpass any crowd the NRL managed this year at Allianz Stadium.
A crowd in excess of 44,000 is expected for the Sydney FC-Western Sydney Wanderers showdown on Saturday night, a mark the NRL could only dream of during the just-completed season.
In fact the only time rugby league came close to a similar crowd at Allianz was on ANZAC Day when 38,784 fans turned up for the annual Roosters-Dragons clash.
There are less than 2000 tickets left for the derby with FFA CEO David Gallop saying it goes to show just how much football has grown in a city where it’s competing against three other codes.
“The Sydney derby has quickly established itself as one of the must-see sporting events with an unrivalled atmosphere and sense of occasion for a club match across any code,” Gallop said.
“The derby typifies the growth of Australian football and even without the 100 years of history it has become the biggest box office event at Allianz Stadium every year.
“Last season’s Sydney derby at Allianz Stadium was an unforgettable night in front of more than 40,000 fans and a new chapter in the Sydney FC v Western Sydney Wanderers rivalry will be written on Saturday night.”
After 90,000 fans attended matches last weekend, the A-League is hoping to break their record for the highest single round attendance this weekend.
And with games in Adelaide, Gosford Perth and Melbourne, which will be City’s first home game since David Villa arrived, they should go close.
source: dailytelegraph.com
STUDIO 3 NEWCASTLE AUSTRALIA 