STADIUM chiefs anticipate the highest number of spectators ever recorded at Moore Park could attend the A-League/Big Bash derby night at the SCG precinct in January.

Sydney FC will host the Wanderers in the second derby of the season at Allianz Stadium, while the two Sydney T20 teams - the Sixers and Thunder - face off just metres away at the SCG.

With crowds of more than 40,000 expected at each, the SCG Trust believes the combined audience could surpass the 78,056 who packed out the SCG when St George won their 10th premiership in a row in 1965. That would make it the biggest mass of spectators at the precinct in its 160-year history, according to the Trust.

Though double-headers are a regular occurrence at the Moore Park precinct, with three this season alone, the combined audiences peak at some 65,000. By contrast the last five A-League derbies at Allianz Stadium have seen sold-out crowds of more than 40,000, while the Big Bash derby at the SCG in January attracted 38,456 fans.

media_camera Allianz Stadium expect a full house for the derby. Picture: Mark Evans

The twin clash on January 14 will present significant logistical challenges for the stadiums, police and transport authorities. Though the Big Bash crowd is likely to arrive in stages, with the game beginning at 6.10pm and preceded by the women’s T20 derby, and the A-League derby kicks off at 7.45pm, the events are likely to finish at similar times - prompting a huge flow of potentially 80,000 spectators away from the precinct.

It’s understood that detailed planning for the event has already begun, five months before, in comparison to the usual lead time of six weeks. Previous A-League derbies have sparked controversy over flares being let off by Wanderers fans and clashes between fans, though police praised the behaviour of both sets of supporters after the most recent.

“Moore Park has been the home of sport in NSW for more than 160 years, but January 14 promises to be the biggest day or night we’ll have seen,” said Jamie Barkley, CEO of the SCG Trust.

media_camera The Thunder and Sixers have built a healthy rivalry. Picture: Gregg Porteous

“Nothing matches the atmosphere of a Sydney FC-Western Sydney Wanderers match at Allianz, where fans are as close to the action as they could possibly get. With the skill on the field and the noise and passion the fans bring, it’s no wonder that Sydney’s A-League derby will be sold out for the sixth time in a row at Moore Park.

“The Sixers-Thunder has quickly developed into one of the must-see matches of the summer, drawing fans to domestic cricket in numbers not seen since the days of Don Bradman. The only thing harder than getting a ticket will be choosing which match to attend.”

The opening A-League derby of the season, in Round 1 at ANZ Stadium, may also involve a crowd record - the biggest to attend a regular season game in Australian football history, with the record standing at 50,333 set in 2006 between Melbourne Victory and Sydney FC. Tickets for the Round 1 derby go on sale to the general public today at noon.