Currently, fans attending these venues in Western Sydney can only buy mid-strength beer, while fans at the Sydney Cricket Ground and Allianz Stadium in Moore Park and the grandstand seating areas at Wollongong’s WIN Stadium can buy full strength beer.
Events longer than three hours including cricket matches tend to have different arrangements.
The Labor Member for Riverstone, Warren Kirby MP recently launched a campaign to change this, calling out how unfair this “East versus West” divide is.
Following the Member for Riverstone’s campaign, Venues NSW will soon offer full-strength beer as part of a new six-month trial across the three stadiums for the start of the 2025 NRL season.
The trial will be in place for match days of three hours or less, with full-strength beer to be available in general public areas.
This trial will provide fans with better variety with full-strength, mid-strength, light and zero alcohol options available during this six-month trial.
The success of the trial will be determined following consultation with NSW Police, liquor authorities, sport and entertainment partners and feedback from fans.
NSW Police will continue to work closely with the venues during this trial period to ensure the responsible service of alcohol (RSA) and RSA marshals will continue to be stationed at all outlets that serve alcohol in the Venues NSW network.
Patrons are also reminded that if you’re looking to drink alcohol you must not drive. Attendees of major events are encouraged to make appropriate travel arrangements, to always have a Plan B and to make the most of public transport included with all event tickets.
Minister for Sport Steve Kamper said:
“Going to a live sporting game is one the best experiences money can buy and this trial will give fans in Western Sydney, the choice of between full, mid or zero alcohol beer while at the footy – just like they’ve been asking for.
“Major events bring tens of thousands of people together and there is and has always been an expectation of fans to be respectful of each other and to drink responsibly if choosing to drink alcohol.”
Member for Riverstone Warren Kirby said:
“This brew-haha is not about the strength of beer, it’s about fairness - people living in Western Sydney should be treated with the same respect as those in the Eastern suburbs.”
“It’s past time commonsense prevailed and people in Sydney’s West are treated the same as those the East.”
Venues NSW CEO Kerrie Mather said:
“We always listen to our fans who have been asking for this for years, and soon they will have an even greater choice and a consistent offering across the Venues NSW network.
“Just like the world-class food offering at our stadiums, it’s all about choice and variety for supporters and that’s what will be on offer during this trial period.
“The safety of patrons is our number one priority and that will continue during the trial.”
