Former Socceroo believes playing out of near empty stadiums HAS to change if A-League is to thrive

‘The smaller the stadium, the better’: Former Socceroo believes playing in big stadiums is holding the A-League back in effort to attract fans

  • A-League star Josh Risdon admitted playing in empty stadiums is deflating
  • Some clubs such as Western United and Macarthur FC have smaller fan bases
  • After two rounds, numbers encouraging for Sydney FC and Melbourne Victory

A-League star Josh Risdon believes less is more when it comes to reviving crowed numbers, with smaller capacities fostering a better atmosphere than largely empty stadiums.

The Socceroos right-back, who was a member of the 2018 World Cup squad in Russia, said ’boutique’ grounds could be the answer for some clubs. 

‘I’m a big believer in the smaller the stadium, the better,’ the Western United captain said.

‘It definitely feels louder when you pack out a smaller stadium, rather than playing in a bigger stadium with less fans.

‘Definitely that is the the aim behind our new stadium, to start off small and get a good fan base going.

‘Then as the club grows, we can build a bigger stadium and get more fans and attract more people to the games.’

A-League star Josh Risdon believes thinking outside the square is key when it comes to repeatedly enticing crowds through the gates

With their new stadium being built in Melbourne's west, Western United hosted Sydney FC last Sunday in front of a small crowd at AAMI Park (pictured, Sky Blues playmaker Joe Lolley)

With their new stadium being built in Melbourne’s west, Western United hosted Sydney FC last Sunday in front of a small crowd at AAMI Park (pictured, Sky Blues playmaker Joe Lolley)

United’s new stadium, at Tarneit, in Melbourne’s west, is scheduled to open in 2026, with a capacity for 15,000 fans.

From next year, John Aloisi’s men will play A-League home games at their training base, which will cater for up to 5000 spectators. 

It also promises to generate an intimidating atmosphere for opposing teams. 

On Friday night, United host Dwight Yorke’s Macarthur FC at AAMI Park – and only an ‘intimate’ crowd is predicted given the opposition are from interstate.

In contrast, when Melbourne Victory host neighbours Melbourne City in a derby 24 hours later – at the same venue – a packed-out AAMI Park is on the cards.

It comes after Victory attracted more than 18,000 fans to their opening home game against Western Sydney Wanderers last weekend at AAMI Park – and table topping City are unbeaten heading into round three.

Numbers for Brisbane Roar games at Suncorp Stadium in recent years have been a cause for concern

Numbers for Brisbane Roar games at Suncorp Stadium in recent years have been a cause for concern

Socceroos right-back Josh Risdon, who was a member of the 2018 World Cup squad in Russia, also stated boutique style grounds could be the answer for some A-League clubs

Melbourne City striker Jamie Maclaren hopes two teams playing attacking football in front of a full house can spur further interest in the league.

‘It’ll be great to have our support but at the same time, it would also be great for Victory fans to turn out,’ he said.

‘We (players) want the atmosphere. It makes for a better spectacle.   

‘It’s important for fans who flick on the TV if they’re a neutral, to want to watch our football and that’s something that we need to grow within this game and within this country.’

While Macarthur and Western United are craving more fans week to week, Sydney FC had 21,840 supporters at their opening-round Big Blue versus Victory at the revamped Allianz Stadium – which they lost 3-2.

Marko Rudan’s Wanderers are also anticipating healthy numbers at Commbank Stadium in Parramatta over the next few rounds given they are unbeaten. 

Additionally, the Newcastle Jets, Brisbane Roar, Melbourne City and Wellington Phoenix all had 7,000 plus fans at their home games.

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