Sydney’s primary stadium won critical acclaim for its wave like architecture and, capacity wise, is the third largest venue to be used for the tournament.

Opened in 1988, the venue was designed as a home for rectangular field games, as opposed to cricket and Aussie Rules Football. The Sydney Cricket Ground sits next door to the stadium and before the construction had been the host of major games in Rugby Union, League and football. The oval pitch needed for cricket and Aussie Rules meant that a first class venue for rugby was required and so the Sydney Football Stadium was built.

Between 2002 and 2007, the 45,500 capacity stadium was known as Aussie Stadium, following a sponsorship deal which expired in 2007. Home to the Sydney Roosters, The stadium hosted the 2006 Tri-Nations Grand Final between Australia and New Zealand and, as well as hosting several Rugby Union World Cup matches, was the venue for the Australian version of Live Earth.

In the Rugby League World Cup it will be hosting Australia and New Zealand’s opening encounter, complete with opening ceremony, as well as the second Semi-Final.