ACT Brumbies CEO Phil Thomson, Canberra Raiders CEO Don Furner and Sport Minister Yvette Berry try out the rotational food offerings at GIO Stadium. Photo: Claire Fenwicke.
Winter warmers at the football will now be cheaper in a bid to bring more fans to home games in Canberra.
The ACT Government, Canberra Raiders and ACT Brumbies have been working to bring more people through the gates of GIO Stadium and improve the game-day experience.
As part of that, a dollar is being shaved off the price of pies, sausage rolls, hot chips, hotdogs and soft drinks.
ACT Brumbies CEO Phil Thomson said a similar move was tried in 2018, and they felt it was time to bring it back given the current focus on discretionary spending.
“We’re at a time when … everyone’s thinking about what they can spend money on,” he said.
“When people are making a decision on whether they come to watch the footy, when they buy their ticket memberships, the cost of food and those sorts of things do come into consideration.”
Canberra Raiders CEO Don Furner said he was grateful the government had listened to the concerns raised by patrons, and had stepped up to make the experience better for everyone.
“Our surveys show that the cost of food and beverage is an inhibitor, so to be able to help those families is fantastic,” he said.
“We know it’s hard to get people out here in winter, so whatever we can do to encourage people to come out is much appreciated.”
Based on previous year’s sales it’s expected to cost about $250,000 to subsidise the food, but it’s also hoped the extra buyers would help offset the cost.
Given tickets have already been on sale for some time, it was explained there wasn’t the chance to make those cheaper for families, but it’s something that could be considered when deciding the ticketing structure for 2024.
It’s not the only new thing at GIO Stadium designed to draw more fans.
The Huddle at the Western Forecourt is a new all-weather hub designed to give patrons a place to gather both before and after the games.
Mr Thomson said it was a missing piece highlighted by members.
“Now people can have a beer or something to eat before the game, they can meet up with friends and watch whatever is on the big screen beforehand and then move to their seats to watch the game,” he said.
“Then it’s also a point for meeting up post-game to dissect what’s happened on the field and have a few drinks before they head home, a chance to have more of that comradery.”
The Huddle is an all-weather hub for fans to gather before and after matches. Photo: Claire Fenwicke.
Cashless paid parking will also be trialled this year.
Sport Minister Yvette Berry said the initiatives were about easing financial costs and improving the game day experience so more Canberrans could take part in supporting our local teams.
“We love our teams, we love the Raiders and we love the Brumbies, and we want to support them 100 per cent every step of the way,” she said.
“This is one way we can do that while also acknowledging that people who might want to come to the game might find it a little bit unaffordable and beyond their financial means, so by subsidising the food this gives them a chance to bring their whole family along.”
Other initiatives are planned for the year, especially around the Raiders’ first women’s team’s game, but are yet to be announced.
With a new or upgraded stadium still not on the near horizon, it’s also about keeping the current location attractive to fans.
“It’s a great stadium. We know it’s old and we’d love a new one, we talk about it all the time,” Mr Furner said.
“Hopefully we’ll get there one day but to encourage people to come out here [in the meantime] is what we need to do.”
Ms Berry said while the government would also love a new stadium, it wasn’t in the position to make progress at the moment.
“Whether that’s an upgraded or new stadium, there’s no way we could suggest that could be happening anytime soon.”
Kick-off for the Brumbies’ first home game is against the Reds this Saturday (11 March) at 7:35 pm.
The boys have already had a cracking start to the season with two victories.
“It’s going to be a nice day on Saturday, we’re expecting 27 degrees, so people should come out and support the team,” Mr Thomson said.
While the Raiders take on the Sharks for their first home game on 19 March.
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