Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Sydney: With the AFC Asian Cup Australia 2015 edging ever closer, join the-afc.com as we continue our tour of the venues where the drama of Asia’s premier tournament is set to unfold.
Newcastle Stadium
Location: Newcastle, New South Wales
Capacity: 33,000
Scheduling: Two group stage matches, a semi-final and third v fourth play-off
Originally known as the International Sports Centre, Newcastle Stadium was officially opened by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on April 10, 1970.
The venue is at the centre of Newcastle’s vibrant sport-loving culture and is the home ground for two of Australia’s leading sporting teams - the Newcastle Jets A-League football team and the Newcastle Knights rugby league team.
Completion of the stadium’s state of the art A$81 million Western Grandstand in 2011 increased the stadium’s capacity to 33,000 and delivered new corporate suites, media facilities, function rooms and player change rooms.
Recent events at the stadium include: an exhibition match between the Newcastle Jets and LA Galaxy in 2010, featuring David Beckham; a 2011 Australian rugby league test match between Australia and New Zealand and a 2012 rugby union international between Australia and Scotland.
The first AFC Asian Cup Australia 2015 game to be held at the stadium will feature four-time Asian champions Japan and Palestine in a Group D clash on January 12.