Tickets for that match ranged from $40 through to $100 for adults
That was very good value when compared with the $32 that the NSWRL wanted to slug fans for matches played at the original Sydney Football Stadium as part of the 1988 NSWRL Premiership. The price also applied to children.
The RBA Inflation Calculator equates $32.00 to approximately $76.78 in todays money.
Source: Rothfield, P. 1987. "$32 To watch top league here". The Daily Telegraph, November 18: 1-2.
Did the fans get good value for money? No
While the new Football Stadium had hosted regular season NSWRL matches, its first major sporting fixture was on May 17 1988 when 26 441 attended the first match of the State of Origin Series. Queensland defeated NSW 26-18.
The crowd was down 16 000 on the previous fixture held at the SCG the previous year, suggesting that high ticket prices had turned them off. For the fans that turned up, they were unhappy at what $32 bought them. The facilities were underwhelming.
If you check out the footage of highlights from the game on Youtube, you will find that the areas behind the goalposts were deserted.
Source: Bowditch, S. & Bilkey, M. 1988. "Football stadium a loser in big game". The Daily Telegraph, May 19: 4.
In the end they were forced to reduce prices - $20 for adults and $10 tickets for children for the upcoming rugby league tour by Great Britain. Compared to other sporting venues and codes, it was still high. The discounted tickets applied to seats on the wing or behind the goal posts. Sitting on the halfway line still cost patrons $32. Only 24 000 attended the First Test at the stadium on June 11 and and 16 000 for the third test.
Source: Bowditch, S., Bilkey, M. & Chesterton, R. 1988. "$12 cut for end seats at stadium". The Daily Telegraph, May 21: 5.
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