Home NEWS ICC Sydney receives green light to increase Aware Super Theatre capacity

ICC Sydney receives green light to increase Aware Super Theatre capacity

Australia’s premier convention, exhibition and entertainment venue approved to increase Aware Super Theatre capacity to 2,400 patrons

Nov 12, 2020

International Convention Centre Sydney (ICC Sydney) has today announced that the venue has received clearance from the New South Wales (NSW) Department of Health to host up to 2,400 patrons when attending seated ticketed events in its world-class entertainment venue, Aware Super Theatre.

ICC Sydney will immediately increase the theatre’s seated capacity to welcome back larger events, the first of which will be Carols in the Domain. In line with current NSW Government regulations, all ticketed events will be subject to one person per four square metres of space. In order to maintain physical distancing within the theatre, which can accommodate 8,000 seats at full capacity, tickets to events will be sold in a checkerboard seat pattern with a minimum of a two-seat gap between groups.

All events held at ICC Sydney including the Aware Super Theatre will continue to be delivered in line with the venue’s EventSafe Operating Guide which integrates parent group ASM Global’s rigorous Venue Shield program while meeting NSW Government regulations.

To ensure the safe running of events in an environment transformed by the coronavirus pandemic, ICC Sydney has made operational changes to events held in the Aware Super Theatre including:

– Patron check-in and contact information collection.
– Reduced venue capacities and physically-distanced theatre seating (a minimum of two empty seat between household groups).
– Regular cleaning of high-traffic and high-touch areas with hospital-grade disinfectant.
– Hand sanitiser stations in all paths of travel, frequently accessed areas and near bathroom facilities.
– COVID-19 safety training for all operational, frontline and contract staff, as well as on-site COVID-19 Safe Hygiene Marshals.

Geoff Donaghy

ICC Sydney CEO

ICC Sydney CEO, Geoff Donaghy said the welcome news is recognition of the venue’s safe running of events and marks another step towards the event sector’s recovery.

“First and foremost, this is an acknowledgement of the thorough, best practice health and safety standards we have in place here at ICC Sydney. While the majority of our events are traditionally held in larger numbers, this announcement coupled with the recent news that ICC Sydney can host uncapped exhibitions and the reopening of the NSW border to Victoria set for 23 November, provides yet more positive steps toward our path to recovery.”

“Our industry and the performing arts sector were two of the first and hardest hit by the coronavirus pandemic and these announcements provide the critical signs we need to build confidence for our clients, their guests and other event attendees,” Mr Donaghy said.

Donaghy concluded: “We are certainly looking forward to staging an expanded line-up of live events to continue connecting artists with their audiences, and supporting Sydney and wider Australia’s cultural and performance community, who have had an incredibly challenging year.”

geoff_donaghy — Photo Credit: ICC Sydney

As the venue’s naming rights partner, Aware Super CEO, Deanne Stewart said: “This year has been a challenging one for so many in our community, in particular the events sector. Opening the Aware Super Theatre to 2,400 people is wonderful news for the sector and the NSW community, allowing more people to enjoy live entertainment while remaining COVID safe. Welcoming back larger events to this fabulous facility with the spectacular Carols in the Domain will help to lay the foundation for the Theatre to host an increased range of live events in 2021. We look forward to continuing our successful partnership with ICC Sydney and to supporting the critical events and tourism sector to recover and emerge stronger from a difficult 2020.”

Located in the heart of Darling Harbour, the Aware Super Theatre has hosted top global talent and live entertainment events, including Keith Urban, Jerry Seinfeld, Ariana Grande, Kylie Minogue, Hillary Clinton, Cher and Elton John.