AEG Ogden to manage Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium until 2020

Stadiums Queensland is sticking with major venue operator AEG Ogden for another five years. It extended its management rights for Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium until end of 2020.

AEG Ogden has managed the 52,500-capacity sports and entertainment venue, under General Manager Alan Graham, since 2002. Its CEO and Chairman Harvey Lister said, “The consistent feedback we have received over the past 13 years from international teams and artists clearly rates Suncorp Stadium as among the best venues in the world.”

Stadiums Queensland started a tender process for the venue in March when, out of the blue, Sydney-based Stadium Australia Operations (which runs ANZ Stadium) made a bid to manage them. Three others were also part of the bidding.

Stadiums Queensland Chairperson, Sophie Devitt, said, “Stadiums Queensland was seeking a proponent with proven expertise in stadium management that could efficiently manage stadium operations while still providing the necessary high level service to hirers and a great experience for the fans.”

The deal is worth millions of dollars to AEG Ogden as Suncorp Stadium is home of the Queensland Rugby League. The venue’s three biggest matches drew 52,498 in 2011, 47,444 in 2012 and 33,354 in 2014. The Broncos pump $6 million into the Queensland economy each time they play there.

In terms of music, Robbie Williams holds the attendance record, drawing 104, 992 over two nights in December 2006. He is followed by U2 whose two dates in December 2010 were attended by a total of 84, 011.

AEG Ogden operates 13 venues in three countries in the Asia Pacific. In Australia, these include Allphones Arena, Perth Arena, Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Newcastle Entertainment Centre and Qantas Credit Union Arena.

The AEG Ogden extension comes after the Queensland Government approved more concerts there. A four-a-year cap on music events was placed in 2006 as it is based in a residential area. But as reported in TMN, after an eight-week online poll by the Government this year, the cap was upped to six from next year. More than 83% of the 4,300 who voted in the poll agreed with more concerts.

This year, Suncorp Stadium hosted One Direction and Foo Fighters, with Ed Sheeran on November 28 and Taylor Swift on December 5. Swift drew 38,907 to the venue when she last played there, in December 2013.

Image: Coldplay, Suncorp Stadium, November 2012