Optus Stadium Perth is an impressive circular sports and entertainment venue located in Perth, Western Australia. This is a stunning structure; it has become a must for travelers and sports enthusiasts alike. The stadium has state-of-the-art facilities, a fascinating history, exciting tours, and a spectacular ozone rooftop tour. In this comprehensive guide, we will give you an insight into the Optus Stadium Perth, but you really need to see it for yourself.
An Overview Of Optus Stadium Perth
The Optus Stadium took the Best Stadium award in 2021, it’s always a fan-favorite sporting venue and it garnered 29% of the votes to beat Melbourne Cricket Ground and CommBank Stadium which came in second and third place. This was a great year for the Optus Stadium Perth because it was voted the best AFL (Australian Football League) after the Toyota AFL Grand Final was hosted there.
This is a multi-purpose and world-class sporting and entertainment venue that can accommodate 60,000 people. The venue may be best known for AFL matches, but concerts, rugby league, Big Bash League cricket, and many other events are hosted at the Optus Stadium.
The stadium is surrounded by the Stadium Park and it’s located to the East of the Perth Central Business District on the Burswood Peninsula. From the Optus Stadium, there are views West to Perth City and the Swan River and, in the East the foothills. The Stadium Park precinct is open throughout the year for visitors to enjoy the BHP Boardwalk and Amphitheatre, public art exhibits, the Chevron Parkland, recreation facilities, picnic and BBQ areas, and some scenic ala-carte and buffet restaurants at the Swan River edge.
The History And Cultural Significance Of The Perth Stadium
The Optus Stadium was originally known as the Perth Stadium and as a newer venue, it has a short, and yet illustrious history as the premier sports and entertainment complex in Western Australia.
In 2011, the idea for a new stadium in Perth began to take shape and the Western Australian government announced that they had construction plans. The former stadium was the Subiaco Oval or Domain Stadium as some referred to it and it had fallen into a poor state of repair.
After a hectic design and planning phase the architects and engineers got to work and the Optus Stadium was officially completed and inaugurated on January 21, 2018, which was an open day for the community. The first sporting event held at the new stadium was an AFL match between the Collingwood Magpies and Fremantle Dockers on February 10, 2018.
Initially, the new venue was known as Perth Stadium, but after a naming and sponsorship agreement with a prominent Australian telecommunications company, it was renamed Optus Stadium. This stadium is the home ground for the Fremantle Dockers and the West Coast Eagles in the AFL. But, cricket, soccer, and rugby matches are all hosted regularly at Optus Stadium.
Since the opening, the Optus Stadium has received numerous accolades and awards for the superb design, functionality, and spectator experience it offers. This stadium does represent a significant investment in sports and entertainment infrastructure for Western Australia. But, it now has a proven track record for a wide variety of events that are held there, and the experience for spectators is certainly enhanced by the breathtaking circular design.
Public Tours: Behind-The-Scenes Experience At Optus Stadium Perth
This Perth stadium has guided public tours that give visitors the opportunity to get a behind the scenes look and learn more about the history of the venue. It’s a great idea to check the availability of tours through the Optus Stadium website because the schedules are subject to change.
Five Types Of Stadium Tours Offered:
1. The Optus Stadium Tour
This tour covers aspects of the stadium, including stepping onto the playing surface, visiting the premium seating areas, and the changing facilities used by athletes. The visitor will learn about the care and maintenance requirements and visit the Sky View Lounge which offers breathtaking views of Perth and the Swan River.
This is the tour that we took, and took about 90 minutes. Our tour guide took us to the different areas of the stadium and gave us a history of the stadium and talked about interesting facts. There is a lot of walking involved as well as a lot of steps to climb up and down.
We did get to go into both the Eagles and Dockers change rooms and got to sit in the area where the coach addresses the players before the game. The Eagles were to be playing the next night and so there was a lot of preparation going on. We were lucky to see the Eagles AFL premiership Cup and take photos, as not all tours get that opportunity.
2. The HALO Rooftop Tour
As the name suggests, visitors can go out onto the top of the Optus Stadium to tour the roof. This gives the visitors a sneak peek at the Ozone events that take place (more on those later). The views of Perth, the Swan River, the park, and surrounding areas from the rooftop are truly stunning.
3. The River View Tour
The River View Room is a premium hospitality suite in the Optus Stadium. This is where the rich and famous view events and this space can be explored during this tour.
4. Event Day Tours
During a special event, there may be an event day tour that combines a facility tour with the opportunity to watch a sporting match, concert, or some other type of event. In many cases, this will be an AFL match or a game of cricket. This tour can give the visitors a fascinating insight into how the Optus Stadium operates during an event.
5. Corporate Tours
The stadium offers corporate tours for businesses, NGOs, and other organizations that may be interested in hosting their events at the Optus Stadium. These tours will showcase the various function and hospitality spaces that the stadium has for hire.
It’s important to note that tour availability, pricing, and schedules are all subject to change. Always check the official website to get the most up to date information on any changes or updates that have been made to the Optus Stadium tour program.
Ozone Adventures: An Unforgettable Experience
The Ozone adventures are a breathtaking experience, visitors can conquer their fear of heights and make unforgettable memories at the same time. Vertigo is the latest Optus Stadium attraction, visitors are harnessed and traverse 10 meters out from the roof with no handrails. This is a 90 minute rooftop trip for the brave at heart and the visitor can travel as far out as they dare to look down.
Another option is the Game Day Rooftop Experience where the visitors are out and suspended in one of 14 special seats that are 42 metres above the playing surface. This top-down view can give the visitor a special tactical insight to the game as it’s played.
Tips For Visitors To Optus Stadium Perth
A visit to the Optus Stadium is an unforgettable experience, whether you’re taking a stadium tour, watching a sporting event or a concert. Here are twelve simple tips that will help you to get the best possible experience:
Always Check The Event Schedule:
Always check the official event schedule and official Optus Stadium website to discover which tours, games, and events are taking place when you plan to visit. This will ensure that you have ample time to plan and purchase tickets in advance to avoid disappointment.
Purchase Tickets In Advance:
Purchasing your ticket online in advance will help you to secure the seats you want and this is especially important if the demand for tickets is high.
Capture The Visit:
Optus Stadium is a truly unique structure and you need to have your smartphone or a good camera on hand to capture some memories.
Always Arrive Early:
This is very important for larger events, you need time to find parking, pass through security checks, enjoy the pre-event activities, and find your seats.
Parking And Transport:
The stadium has onsite parking and it’s serviced with buses and trains for those who want to take public transport. Check the Optus Stadium website for the transportation options and parking facilities for up to date information.
When we went to Optus Stadium for the tour, we were staying in the centre of Perth and we Caught the Hop on Hop Off bus. We got off to do the tour and then we had lunch at a Bar beside the stadium and over looking the Swan River. It is a picturesque area and if you have time it is worth stopping and having a walk around.
Adhere To The Bag Policy:
The stadium has restrictions on the types and sizes of bags that visitors can bring inside. To avoid potential problems, travel light and leave the larger bags and rucksacks at home.
Consider Food And Drinks:
There should be no problem bringing a bottle of water into the event, but other drinks and food are not permitted. Inside the stadium there are many eating options, including dining areas and concessions. But, the lines for food and drink can be long during a busy event and you need to plan your meals.
Dressing For The Weather:
In the Australian summer Perth is hot and sunny, so it’s a good idea to wear a hat and sunscreen during the day. At night it can be much cooler so it’s a good idea to bring a light jacket or some extra layers of clothing.
Buying Merchandise:
If you want to purchase event merchandise it’s a good idea to hit those stands early to avoid long lines and to ensure that you get the item you want.
Take A Stadium Tour:
If you want to learn more about Optus Stadium Perth take a guided tour, the availability, time and prices can all be checked in advance on the official website.
Respect Other People:
It’s important to follow event-specific guidelines and follow the directions of security personnel and staff who are there to protect you during your visit.
Take In The Views:
If you arrive early you can take a look around the stadium and look at the stunning Swan River and surrounding views.
Visiting Optus Stadium Perth: In Conclusion
Taking a tour of Optus Stadium Perth and/or attending a sporting or other event is an unforgettable experience. This building is a stunning example of modern functional design that’s also breathtaking and exhilarating to see at any distance.
There are fantastic views of the Swan River and the Perth skyline from indoors and the rooftop. If you plan to visit Perth, make some time in your schedule to visit the Optus Perth Stadium and you will gain a deeper appreciation for the sporting spirit and vibrant culture of Western Australia.