THE Big Bash final at Manuka and the Asian Cup Football matches at Canberra Stadium have set the benchmark for the game-day experience now expected by sports fans in this city.

Last season, the Brumbies and the Raiders struggled to find a crowd for home matches at Canberra Stadium. Both organisations have tried to lift the game-day experience with a limited budget, but it’s obvious that if the teams are to attract bigger crowds there is more to it than winning.

People don’t need to go to Canberra Stadium to watch the Brumbies and the Raiders; they can stay home and watch the games on television in comfort without any of the hassles associated with going to the stadium (although it is acknowledged that getting to Canberra Stadium is easier than getting to most major stadiums in Australia).

Admittedly, both the Big Bash and the Asian Cup were one-off events, but the large crowds shouldn’t be dismissed as people going out of curiosity.

During the seven Asian Cup soccer matches, Canberra Stadium was dressed for a great attraction; it had the feel of a stadium staging a major event. The question has to be asked: Why doesn’t Canberra Stadium look that good for Brumbies and Raiders games?

I have made a few calls on this and it would appear there have been restrictions placed on the teams and the level of control they have over the ground. That needs to change if the Brumbies and the Raiders are to attract bigger crowds.

At Manuka Oval, the Big Bash final provided an insight into the extent to which sport has become entertainment.

We have seen sport at such venues dragged, kicking and screaming, out of the dark ages into acknowledging it is in competition with other forms of entertainment. For many years I held the view that most people at sporting events went purely for the contest. I have to admit being a part of this. I love the contest, but my most recent experiences are proving the catalyst for a rethink.

The Big Bash League has changed my thoughts considerably. People want to go to a sporting event these days as much for the contest as the prospect of having a good time, a chance to escape – and in many respects, the Big Bash League is pure escapism with music, fireworks and fans are encouraged to make as much noise as possible with instructions on the screens around the ground telling them when to cheer.

There is also such a considerable build up that spectators can easily feel as if they are playing a role in the event. This seems to be a vital part of the modern sports experience.

That is the great challenge faced by the Brumbies and the Raiders. How do they get their spectators more involved in what is happening on the field? Let’s take some inspiration from these most recent local events and see what can be done.