$40M Vision: Leichhardt Oval Could Host Live Music Under New Proposal [EXCLUSIVE]

Leichhardt Oval, the beloved Sydney sports ground, could soon be transformed into a concert venue if Inner West Mayor Darcy Byrne’s latest initiative gains traction.

Following an almost decade-long campaign to secure funding to save Leichhardt Oval from closure and give it the renovations it needs, Mayor Byrne has secured $20 million from the Albanese Government, another $10 million from Premier Chris Minns and $10 million raised from his own Inner West Council.

Now, Mayor Byrne is pushing to expand the ground’s use beyond sport, envisioning it as an arts and cultural hub.

His $40 million proposal includes a trial run of four to five concerts next year as part of a comprehensive feasibility study.

“I think if we opened up an expression of interest process, we could attract some really big-name performers who would find the idea of playing at one of the most famous sporting grounds in Australia very enticing,” Byrne told TMN.

“Obviously, Cold Chisel would be an excellent example of the crossover between rugby league and music; and Ian Moss lives in Annandale, just down the road from Leichhardt Oval,” he added. “But I’d love to see a mix of genres, so we might have some rock, but I think an acoustic concert with people on the Wayne Pierce Hill could be pretty special.

“[…] I’m very confident that we would attract some really exciting proposals if we threw this open to the music sector,” Byrne told TMN.

Inner West Mayor Darcy Byrne

The planned rejuvenation will not only lift the seating capacity from 16,000 to 19,000 — accommodating larger crowds for both sports and entertainment events — but will include corporate and hospitality facilities, and four female-friendly change rooms designed to maximise women’s sport.

“Leichhardt Oval has the best atmosphere of any suburban ground in Australia, and it’s time for music lovers to experience that as well as sports fans,” Byrne said. “Rugby league, soccer, and union players all love playing at the ‘eighth wonder of the world,’ and now some of Australia’s best bands can get a buzz out of performing there too.”

Leichhardt Oval

Leichhardt Oval is home to several prominent sporting teams, including the Wests Tigers NRL and NRLW teams, Sydney FC Women’s team, and the NSW Waratahs. The ground also hosts a broad range of school, amateur, professional, and international teams.

Before the year is out, Leichhardt Oval will host over 120 sporting events, making it one of Sydney’s busiest sports grounds. However, this new proposal, which is set to be tabled for a vote by Inner West Councillors this October, is part of Byrne’s broader strategy to make it an arts and culture hub with the option to host music, theatre and comedy.

“I’ll be looking for support from all of the elected representatives to progress Leichhardt Oval as a live performance venue for this trial,” says Byrne. “In the meantime, we want to build support in the music and arts sector for this creative idea that would give Sydney another really interesting large-scale performance venue.

“If the council votes to endorse it, then there’s no reason we can’t be holding concerts at Leichhardt Oval in 2025.”