Optus Stadium

Just before Christmas 2021 the 6 of us went along to the (paid) Optus Stadium tour.

Mr P and I have been to cricket and football matches there, but of course that doesn’t take you behind the scenes.

On the tour however, you get the full stadium to roam around. It was built with a “Fans First” philosophy so everything is about the people who pay to be there. For example, there are no pylons, giving every seat a fabulous view of the playing surface.

There are food outlets and toilets everywhere, and when you come back with a drink, every seat has a cup holder! You can host your event within the stadium, including on game days. The corporate boxes cater for all types of groups, indoors and out.

At each end of the stadium there are screens that are bigger than Mr P’s entire house block! There are also smaller screens everywhere (over a 100 of them), so if you leave your seat to get a bite to eat you can still see the live action. Fans with a disability are well caterered for, as are fans with a few more dollars to spend on their seats.

Out of sight, The West Coast Eagles …

… The Fremantle Dockers …

… and the Perth Scorchers all have dedicated club rooms.

The rooms are fitted out with ice baths of varying temperatures, as well as showers designed for really tall people.

There are awesome pre-game facilities and then during the game, the coaches have a great view of the game and the press are really well catered for too.

Of course, the stadium structure is pretty impressive, both from the outside and within. At night it is especially fun, with lighting that can provide a spectacular show, and can even match the winning (or local) team colours. If you are game, you can even watch the play from the rim. Not something I would ever do.

And then there is the area surrounding the stadium. I absolutely love this public space. The Matagarup Bridge is a spectacular sight, the parks are fun places to be and the artwork is amazing. We often spend time here. It’s a stone’s throw from Mr P’s house or a short bike ride.

Overall, the Stadium and surrounds are a wonderful asset to Perth.