Accor Stadium Celebrates 25 Years with Inaugural Hall of Fame Induction

Accor Stadium, Australia’s premier major events venue, tonight unveiled the first members of its Hall of Fame at an onfield function for 400 guests to mark 25 years since the Opening Ceremony of the Sydney 2000 Olympics.

The inaugural inductees were drawn from the sports that have attracted more than 35 million people through the venue since it opened in 1999. They are:

• John Aloisi (football) • Cathy Freeman (athletics) • Mark Schwarzer (football) • Jonny Wilkinson (rugby)

• John Eales (rugby) • Andrew Johns (rugby league) • Tim Sullivan (athletics)

• Brad Fittler (rugby league) • Louise Sauvage (athletics) • Ian Thorpe (swimming)

See more about the Inaugural Stadium Australia Hall of Fame Inductees here

The Hall of Fame event commemorated the anniversary of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games Opening Ceremony and featured musical performances by artists who starred 25 years ago at the same venue, including famed conductor George Ellis and a 25-piece orchestra. 

It also featured singer Nikki Webster, who as a 13-year-old in 2000 was a memorable star on 15 September 2000. For the Hall of Fame function, she was joined in a reprisal performance of Under the Southern Skies by her equally talented daughter Skylah and son Malachai.

NSW Premier Chris Minns inducted the four Olympic and Paralympic legends in Cathy Freeman, Louise Sauvage, Tim Sullivan and Ian Thorpe. 

“The Stadium Australia Hall of Fame ensures that the moments that brought us together as a nation are preserved and celebrated for generations to come,” Mr Minns said.

“It gives me particular pleasure to honour Cathy Freeman again at Accor Stadium where we recently named a stand after Cathy, and it is even more special to induct her alongside Louise Sauvage, another truly great Australian.

“Louise, like Cathy, lit the flame at the Paralympics and then won gold under extreme pressure and with the whole nation cheering her on.”

Cathy Freeman said it was an honour to be inducted alongside so many great Olympians, Paralympians and athletes.

"Every time I step back into this stadium, I’m reminded of that unforgettable night on September 25, 2000, when a sold-out crowd lifted me through the 400-metre final,” Freeman said. 

“To think that 25 years have passed since the Sydney Games feels surreal, yet the memories remain as vivid as ever. 

“Having my family’s name permanently on a grandstand here is deeply personal and humbling – it connects my story to this place in a way that goes beyond sport, and it’s something I will treasure always.”

Six living legends from the sporting codes that call Stadium Australia home – rugby league, rugby union and football – joined the 2000 Games stars as inaugural inductees, Socceroos heroes John Aloisi and Mark Schwarzer, rugby league stars Brad Fittler and Andrew Johns, Wallabies captain John Eales and England’s 2003 World Cup winner Jonny Wilkinson. 

“This is more than a celebration of individual excellence,” said David Gallop, Venues NSW and Accor Stadium Chairman. “It’s a tribute to the collective effort of the people of NSW and the enduring legacy of a venue that has hosted the world’s biggest events, from the Olympics to World Cups, Grand Finals and concerts by global superstars.”

Minister for Sport and Tourism Steve Kamper added: “The Stadium Australia Hall of Fame is a fitting tribute as we mark 25 years since Sydney lit up the world with the Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Games. 

“Beyond the "best Olympic games ever" this incredible stadium has hosted so many iconic moments. To induct legends like Andrew Johns and Brad Fittler, two of the greatest to ever play rugby league, alongside Wallabies icons John Eales and Johnny Wilkinson, is a wonderful way to celebrate the history of the game and the legacy of this great stadium.”

An independent judging panel of respected journalists, broadcasters, and sports administrators was convened to ensure a balanced selection process. Importantly, international athletes and all participants at the 2000 Olympic and Paralympics were considered for induction. There will be further inductions in 2027, 2029 and 2031. 

The Stadium Australia Hall of Fame is the third major recognition project since the venue opened, following the September 2023 unveiling of the Cathy Freeman Stand and a mural to honour the Matildas and the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup tournament. The permanent mural artwork was unveiled earlier this year and will soon feature in a large-scale digital projection on the exterior of the Cathy Freeman Stand.

The event also saw tributes to key figures behind the stadium’s creation and the Sydney 2000 Games, including John Coates, David Richmond, Michael Knight, and Rod McGeoch, whose leadership helped deliver one of the most successful Olympics in history.

More history will be written in the weeks ahead as Accor Stadium looks to the future hosts the NRL and NRLW Grand Finals, followed by a huge summer concert series featuring Oasis, Metallica, Lady Gaga, ACDC and Ed Sheeran – and then the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup, and 2027 Men’s Rugby World Cup.