| The Big Top | |
| Fullname: | The Big Top at Luna Park Sydney |
| Former Names: | Luna Circus |
| Address: | 1300 Big Top Sydney NSW 2061 Australia |
| Location: | Luna Park, Milsons Point |
| Owner: | Brookfield Metro Edgley Pty Ltd |
| Operator: | Luna Park Venues |
| Cost: | $20 million ($ in dollars) |
| Architect: | Hassell |
| Structural Engineer: | MacDonald Contracting |
| Services Engineer: | Douglas Partners |
| General Contractor: | Cordell Construction |
| Capacity: | 2,950 |
The Big Top (also known as the Big Top Auditorium and The Arena; commonly known as Big Top Sydney) is a multi-purpose entertainment venue located within Luna Park Sydney. Opening in 2004, the venue was a part of the amusement park’s 2003 redevelopment plan. It has a capacity of nearly 3,000, making it one of Sydney’s largest mid-sized venues.
It has housed notable events such as: the 2005 MTV Australia Video Music Awards, Come Together Music Festival and the 2013 Sydney Darts Masters.
The venue was originally proposed in 1999 by Metro Edgley Pty Ltd. Known as Luna Circus,[1] the building was proposed as a venue for circus acts and a possible site for a permanent Cirque du Soleil show. Plans were underway to begin construction in 2000, opening in 2001.[2] However, the proposal was not approved by the North Sydney Council until December 2002. Construction began in February 2003 and was completed in December. It was built on the site of the former Ghost Train.
An opening celebration concert was held 2 April 2004.[3] It was hosted by Simon Burke and featured performances by Caroline O'Connor, Marina Prior and David Campbell. The first official event held at the venue was a performance of Sunset Boulevard (featuring Judi Connelli and Michael Cormick) on 3 April 2004.[4] Australian bands that have performed at Luna Park include INXS in '82, Silverchair in '97, Jet (at Big Top) in '09, Sick Puppies (at Big Top) in '07, and Parkway Drive (at Big Top) in '09.
| Capacity | |
| General admission | 2,950 |
| Circus | 2,085 |
| Theatre | 1,800 |
| Custom | 2,105 |
| Combo | 2,768 |
| Town hall | 2,128 |
| Combat Sport 1 | 1,680 |
| Combat Sport 2 | 1,892 |