A-League side Western Sydney Wanderers is "close to calling ANZ Stadium home for the next two years with the two parties nearing a deal for games to be played at Sydney Olympic Park," according to Dominic Bossi of the SYDNEY MORNING HERALD. The club "has proposed to play its high-profile fixtures at the 83,000-capacity ground beginning with its derby match against Sydney FC as early as this October." Having been forced to relocate from its regular home ground at Parramatta due to renovations at Pirtek Stadium which will start later this year, the club is in "advanced negotiations" to make ANZ Stadium one of its regular home grounds during the period.
Sources "suggest a deal to play the clubs' two home derbies against Sydney FC next season at the largest venue in the city is in the works." That "would give the Wanderers a chance to break the record attendance for a domestic club football match in Australia." Members of both clubs "have long been opposed to playing games at the larger venue but the Wanderers' forced relocation gives the club little option other than to explore this possibility." While it may not be popular with its core supporters, "any move will yield a significant financial return" for the club with a share of gate revenue to the sum of A$500,000 ($350,000) on offer for every match that would draw a significant attendance. This season "is looming as the club's last before renovations take place at Pirtek Stadium as part of the NSW Government's plans to transform the venue into a modern 30,000-seated football stadium."
Work could begin immediately after the National Rugby League season finishes in September, meaning the Wanderers "will be forced to play all games for the better part of two seasons away from Pirtek" (SMH, 1/6).
