The Sydney Swans will be welcomed home in Round 1 with all home games for 2016 to be held at the SCG.
The iconic sporting ground has been the Swans’ spiritual home in Sydney since 1982 and remains a fan-favourite among Swans supporters.
The move follows successful negotiations to bring to an end the existing agreement with ANZ Stadium one year early.
The three Swans matches that had been earmarked for ANZ Stadium in 2016 will now be played at the SCG, including:
- Round 1 v Collingwood
- Round 7 v Essendon
- Round 18 v Carlton
The agreement winds up a 14-year partnership between the Swans and ANZ Stadium that dates back to 2002.
Sydney Swans Chief Executive and Managing Director Andrew Ireland has thanked the stadium’s management for its support, along with the AFL and SCG Trust for supporting the change.
“We are extremely thankful to ANZ Stadium management for working with us to bring forward the end of our agreement, allowing us to return home a year earlier than anticipated.
“This move involved a number of logistical considerations including the interests of ANZ Stadium members and corporate partners – I’m pleased to say they will be accommodated and we look forward to welcoming them at the SCG.
“Along with ANZ Stadium management, I would like to thank the SCG Trust for not only accommodating the relocation of three matches at short notice, but also working with us to ensure that the complex ANZ commercial agreement could be reworked.
“Our move home to the SCG is exciting for our entire Club. We have listened to our fans and we look forward to seeing them pack the SCG in 2016.”
Since 2002, ANZ Stadium has played host to some memorable Swans matches and moments, including eight finals victories. The Stadium still holds the record for the largest AFL crowd outside of Victoria, with 72,393 attending the clash with Collingwood in 2003. More than two million fans have attended Swans matches at ANZ Stadium over the past 14 years.
Sydney Swans stats @ ANZ Stadium
54 matches: 32 wins, 22 losses
10 finals: 8 wins, 2 losses
First game: Round 9, 2002 v Essendon
Highest attendance: 72,393. Round 21, 2003 v Collingwood
Total attendance: 2,221,475
Most games played: 49 (Adam Goodes)
Most goals kicked: 87 (Barry Hall)
Tickets to Swans home games at the SCG go on sale Friday 4 March at 9am via Ticketek.
