Canberra Stadium could open the gates to 30,000 people this weekend as fans flock to football games to mark one year since the COVID-19 pandemic kept them locked at home.
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The ACT Brumbies and Canberra Raiders will both host home games this weekend with Canberra Stadium on the verge of hosting its two biggest crowds since 2019.
The Brumbies have set their sights on breaking the 10,000 barrier for their Super Rugby AU grand final rematch with the Queensland Reds in a Saturday night blockbuster.
The Raiders will launch their season against the Wests Tigers on Sunday afternoon with the club on track for a crowd of 16,000-20,000 at their NRL season opener.
March 15 marks 12 months to the day since the Brumbies hosted the NSW Waratahs at Canberra Stadium before the coronavirus pandemic brought competitions to a grinding halt and kept the majority of fans away when they did return.
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Venues Canberra chief operating officer Matt Elkins remembers running a red line through a list of events scheduled to be held at the stadium in Bruce.
But now Raiders coach Ricky Stuart is relishing a return to full capacity to fuel his side in their season opener against the Tigers.
"It would be great for the players to play in front of people again, but more importantly it's great for our members and supporters that can come out and support their team again," Stuart said.
"As much as it was a hard year for all of the players, we were still doing something we loved. There were so many people who missed out on getting to the ground, taking their children to the ground, and watching their favourite players or favourite teams.
"Fortunately that opportunity now can happen on Sunday, and I'm sure we'll have a massive crowd. The players are all very excited and looking forward to having a big atmosphere there.
"It would be a great way to kick off the season for 2021."
Canberra Stadium has operated at full capacity for the Brumbies' first two home games this season. They welcomed 9322 against NSW, with club chief executive Phil Thomson seeking clarification on the official crowd for last week's clash with Melbourne.
Thomson says ticket sales for the Reds clash are tracking better than they were for the game against the Waratahs a fortnight ago in a huge boost for stand-in skipper Tom Cusack, who becomes the third ACT product to captain the Brumbies.
"Being a Canberran, that's all you want to do, play for Canberra sides. All we ask now is hopefully we can get a good little turnout for the crowd," Cusack said.
"We've been building throughout the year in terms of our crowd numbers. We're playing good footy, and I'd love to see a large mob of Canberrans supporting a great bunch of blokes."
SUPER RUGBY AU ROUND FOUR
Saturday: ACT Brumbies v Queensland Reds at Canberra Stadium, 7.45pm. Broadcast: Live on Gem and Stan Sport. Tickets from Ticketek.
NRL ROUND ONE
Sunday: Canberra Raiders v Wests Tigers at Canberra Stadium, 4.05pm. Broadcast: Live on Channel Nine and Fox League. Tickets from Ticketek.
Caden Helmers
Caden Helmers is a sports writer for The Canberra Times.
Caden Helmers is a sports writer for The Canberra Times.
