The Stadium Management Authority today released its food and beverage price rise list for 2019/20, pointing out that it once again restricted its price increase to an average 1.5 per cent, despite an average 3 per cent increase in wage and supplier costs.

A pint of full-strength Hahn Super Dry beer and a 600ml Coke has gone up 10 cents, a glass of house wine 20 cents, and prices for hot chips, beef burgers and coffee have all increased by 10 cents each.

A “premium” hot dog will now cost an extra 20 cents, but a “basic” hot dog is listed oddly as “not available”.

The SMA said prices for Balfours Footy Pies and bottled water were unchanged, as were healthy food options including salads, sandwiches and wraps.

Membership and carparking changes also remained unchanged from last year, and patrons could use free water stations around the stadium, and bring their own food and non-alcholic drinks to games.

“As we did in 2018, the Adelaide Oval SMA is reaffirming our commitment to protect patrons from the full impact of annual cost increases we incur – such as beer excise, Federally­ legislated casual wage increases (3%), rent, sinking fund, maintenance and electricity increases – by again holding overall food and beverage prices to an average rise of just 1.5% and freezing a number of key items,” the SMA said.

“That’s half the increase in supplier and wage costs that we are incurring (an average of 3% in 2019) and demonstrates both our commitment to keeping the experience affordable and the value of our strategy to grow revenues in other areas of our business.”

The SMA said the Oval’s food and drink prices have not changed since November 2018, after which they had risen by an average of 1.5%, less than half that of the increases incurred in supplier and wage costs, as was cited again for the new financial year.

“No other stadia are required to cover the cost of their ongoing stadium upgrades and development through a statutory sinking fund. AOSMA contributes around $3m p.a. to this fund which eliminates any further calls on the taxpayer for Adelaide Oval upgrades and replacements,” it said.

SMA CEO Andrew Daniels said the decision to absorb many cost increases rather than pass them on “is further evidence of our commitment to keep the Adelaide Oval experience as affordable as possible”.

“It also underlines the success of our strategy to grow revenues in other areas of our business so that we can continue to lower food and beverage prices in real terms,” he said.

“Our casual wage bill is our largest expense, and the 3% annual minimum wage increase legislated by the Fair Work Commission obviously has a significant impact on our business.

“However, we are proud to train and employ 1,500 South Australians in these roles. They’re a critical part of our ability to service the 1.8 million patrons who come to Adelaide Oval every year.”

The new prices will come into effect from the Sheffield Shield game between South Australia and Tasmania starting on Monday.

SMA listed “notes for clarity” for the above graph: “Unlike other stadia listed above which review/increase their prices at the start of the AFL season, Adelaide Oval’s pricing is reviewed at the end of each football season. It can therefore be anticipated that the prices listed above for the other stadia will change prior to the 2020 AFL season while Adelaide Oval’s will remain unchanged.”

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