Groundsharing refers to the practice of two or more professional sports teams sharing the same stadium or venue for their home games. The history of ground-sharing can be traced back to the early days of professional sports in the late 19th century when many teams did not have their stadiums and had to rent facilities to play their matches.

In the early 20th century, ground sharing became more common as professional sports leagues began to expand and more teams were established. During World War II, many stadiums were used for military purposes, which led to more ground-sharing among teams in various sports.

In the post-war era, ground-sharing continued to be popular, especially in countries where stadium construction was expensive and difficult. In the United Kingdom, for example, many football teams shared stadiums in the 1960s and 1970s due to a lack of funding for new facilities. The same was true for rugby and other sports.

However, the practice of ground-sharing has not always been popular among fans or teams. Some fans have been resistant to sharing a stadium with their rivals, while others have complained about the lack of a true “home” advantage. Additionally, some teams have felt that ground-sharing diminishes their identity and reduces their revenue potential.

Despite these challenges, ground-sharing continues to be a common practice in many sports around the world. It is often seen as a practical and cost-effective way for teams to play in high-quality facilities without having to invest in their stadiums. Additionally, it can help to promote cooperation and collaboration among teams, which can be beneficial for the sport as a whole.

PROS

Groundsharing, or sharing a stadium or venue between two or more professional sports teams, has several potential benefits. Here are some of the pros of ground-sharing:

• Cost Savings: Constructing and maintaining a stadium can be very expensive. By sharing a stadium, teams can split the costs of construction, maintenance, and upgrades, which can result in significant cost savings.

• Increased Revenue Potential: Sharing a stadium can also increase the revenue potential for teams. For example, a larger stadium may be able to accommodate more fans, which can lead to higher ticket sales and more concession revenue.

• Improved Facility Quality: Sharing a stadium can allow teams to play in a higher-quality facility than they would be able to afford on their own. This can result in a better overall game-day experience for players and fans.

• Promotes Collaboration And Cooperation: Groundsharing can promote collaboration and cooperation between teams, which can help to build stronger relationships within the sport. This can lead to greater cooperation on other issues, such as scheduling and rule changes.

• Reduces Environmental Impact: Sharing a stadium can help to reduce the environmental impact of professional sports by reducing the need for multiple stadiums and associated infrastructure, such as parking lots.

Overall, ground-sharing can be a practical and cost-effective way for professional sports teams to play in high-quality facilities while also reducing costs and promoting cooperation within the sport.

CONS

While ground-sharing, or sharing a stadium or venue between two or more professional sports teams, can have several benefits, there are also some potential disadvantages. Here are some of the cons of ground-sharing:

• Reduced Revenue Potential: While sharing a stadium can increase the revenue potential for some teams, it can also reduce revenue for others. For example, a team may lose revenue if they have to split gate receipts, concession sales, or sponsorship deals with another team.

• Challenges For Scheduling And Logistics: Groundsharing can create challenges for scheduling and logistics, especially if multiple teams are using the same stadium. For example, teams may have to adjust their schedules or deal with long travel times if they have to share the same facility with another team.

• Reduced Home-field Advantage: Playing in a shared stadium can reduce a team’s home-field advantage. This is because the stadium may not be configured to their specifications, or they may have to share locker rooms and training facilities with another team.

• Identity And Fan Loyalty Concerns: Groundsharing can raise concerns about a team’s identity and fan loyalty. Some fans may not like sharing a stadium with their rivals and may feel that it diminishes their team’s identity.

• Maintenance And Upkeep Challenges: Sharing a stadium can create challenges for maintenance and upkeep, especially if multiple teams are using the same facility. For example, conflicts may arise over who is responsible for repairs, maintenance, and cleaning.

Overall, ground-sharing can be a cost-effective way for professional sports teams to play in high-quality facilities, but it can also create challenges for scheduling, logistics, and revenue potential. Teams should carefully consider the pros and cons of ground-sharing before deciding to share a stadium or venue with another team.

EXAMPLES OF GROUND-SHARING

Ground sharing is a common practice in many sports, particularly football (soccer) and rugby. Here are some examples of ground-sharing in various countries:

• San Siro Stadium: The San Siro Stadium is home to both AC Milan and Inter Milan, two of the most successful football clubs in Italy. The two clubs have been sharing the stadium since 1947, making it one of the longest-running ground share arrangements in the world.

San Siro is sold out for the first leg of #MilanInter and the gates will exceed €10 million, setting a new historic record for Italy. The record is destined to last a short time given that Inter charged higher prices for the return leg the following week. [GdS] #Inter #Milan pic.twitter.com/OxbdjFbNXf

— Italian Football News 🇮🇹 (@footitalia1) May 3, 2023

• Liberty Stadium: Swansea City and Ospreys rugby union teams share the Liberty Stadium in Swansea, Wales.

The Liberty Stadium's South Stand has been renamed the NHS Wales Stand for the 2020/21 season. #Swans ❤️ pic.twitter.com/GGRNw5PF5s

— Swansea City Online (@SwanseaCityLive) September 18, 2020

• Stadio Olimpico: The Italian national football team and both AS Roma and SS Lazio of the Serie A have used the stadium as their home venue in Rome, Italy.

The Stadio Olimpico 🏟️

Home stadium to A. S Roma and Lazio football clubs since 1953
and also hosts the Coppa Italia final every season

Capacity is 72k plus fans,

This is the stadium hosting the opening match #ITA vs #TUR#EURO2020#EURO2020OnDStv pic.twitter.com/xWYdYYtXDP

— Timoshenko (@Kianangih) June 11, 2021

• Murrayfield Stadium: Both Edinburgh Rugby and the Scottish Rugby Union use the Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh, Scotland.

In precisely one month, Beyoncé will be performing for her first time ever at the BT Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh, Scotland. The expected attendance is a sold-out crowd of over 50 thousand people. pic.twitter.com/4eNPvQ1YDh

— BEYTHOVEN (@beyonceparkwood) April 20, 2023

• Principality Stadium: The Welsh national rugby union team and Cardiff Blues rugby union team share the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Wales.

Principality stadium in the February night , The home of The Welsh Rugby Union@WelshRugbyUnion

🏟️🔴🚁🕹️

📷 – Dan Hillier Photography pic.twitter.com/4XH8cibXAh

— 𝘼𝙬𝙖𝙮 𝘿𝙖𝙮 𝙏𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙨 (@away_tours) February 13, 2023

• ANZ Stadium: Both the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs and South Sydney Rabbitohs of the National Rugby League (NRL) have used the stadium as their home venue in Sydney, Australia.

Fiji Drua vs @Highlanders at ANZ Stadium- so close! Fantastic game, #TosoDruaToso pic.twitter.com/Jo6lQcRXtT

— Brian Jones (@BrianJJonesUK) April 30, 2022

• Metricon Stadium: Both the Gold Coast Suns and Gold Coast Titans of the Australian Football League (AFL) and NRL, respectively, use the Metricon Stadium in Gold Coast, Australia.

A new name will be announced for Metricon Stadium tomorrow morning (9am AEST). pic.twitter.com/DlLGQpZkcG

— Austadiums 🇦🇺🏟 (@austadiums) February 21, 2023