Optus Stadium reaches milestone 100th event milestone

August 23, 2020

Perth's Optus Stadium will today welcome its 100th major event since its grand opening in January 2018, when the West Coast Eagles take on GWS Giants in the AFL Premiership.

To date more than 4.1 million fans have attended AFL, cricket, concerts and a host of one off sporting events at the state-of-the-art facility.

Following two AFL fixtures this weekend, it will take the attendance level to approximately 4,116,000 in just over two and half years of action.

From the venue's opening event on 28th January 2018, which attracted 53,781 fans to the final Gillette One-Day International between Australia and England, Optus Stadium has not only hosted major sporting and entertainment events but has also been the site for numerous smaller community focused events.

Concert events have included Ed Sheeran, who performed over two nights to 120,979 fans and Taylor Swift performing in front of 48,405 fans.

The last three AFL seasons have seen just over 2.5 million fans, with the stadium achieving a Western Australian AFL record attendance of 59,608 for the West Coast Eagles versus Melbourne AFL Preliminary Final in September 2018.

Other sporting event highlights include Chelsea versus Perth Glory (55,522 fans), Australia versus India Test Match cricket (81,104 across the four days), NRL double header (38,824), Australia versus England One-Day International cricket (53,781), Bledisloe Cup (61,241), State of Origin (59,721) and Manchester United Tour (105,000 over two games) to name just a few.

Optus Stadium has hit a number of big milestones, including welcoming its one millionth visitor after just five months.

The Stadium has also received 50 awards, notably being crowned the' Project of the Year' at The StadiumBusiness Awards in London and the 'Most Beautiful Sports Facility' in the World at the Prix Versailles 2019 international architecture awards.

Optus Stadium was built and designed with public transport in mind and regularly more than 70% of fans attending events travel to the stadium by bus or train.

Local businesses also benefit from major events held at Optus Stadium, with 85% of suppliers to Optus Stadium being Western Australian companies and businesses, which in turn creates important local jobs.

In another major boost for the economy, many fans from regional WA continue to travel to Perth for Optus Stadium events, staying overnight in hotels and enjoying local restaurants and bars, which has seen millions of dollars injected back into the local economy.

Commenting on the milestone, Western Austrlian Sport and Recreation Minister, Mick Murray stated "what an incredible milestone to have achieved - thanks to the delivery of world-class events at Australia's best stadium by thousands of fantastic staff members.

"The ability of Optus Stadium to host three major events in the same weekend, allowing the 100 event milestone to be achieved, would not be possible without WA's hard border and the collective efforts shown by all Western Australians in keeping our state safe during COVID-19."

Image: AFL action at Optus Stadium. Courtesy of VenuesLive.

6th August 2020 - World Health Organization says large crowds for sporting events are unrealistic this year

3rd August 2020 - Perth’s WACA to be remodelled as 10000-capacity boutique venue

4th August 2020 - Western Australian Government announces $300 million investment in sport and community infrastructure

22nd July 2020 - VenueShield protocols, staff sharing and cashless payments help venues deliver economic stimulus for Western Australia

21st July 2020 - SportWest release strategic priorities for Western Australian sport

21st July 2020 - VenuesLive flags permanent employment opportunities at ANZ, Bankwest and Optus Stadiums

13th July 2020 - Optus Stadium prepares for AFL fixtures this week

24th June 2020 - Optus Stadium ready to welcome crowds back from 18th July

12th June 2020 - Live Entertainment Industry Forum welcomes potential easing of restrictions on outdoor sport and entertainment venues

6th June 2020 - Easing of Western Australia’s Coronavirus restrictions sees Premier tell people to get out and do what they enjoy

24th March 2020 - Perth’s Optus Stadium to serve as Police crisis management centre

6th January 2020 - Optus Stadium named Australia’s best venue

7th November 2019 - Silver Awards for Doha’s Oxygen Park and Perth’s Optus Stadium at 2019 IOC, IPC and IAKS architecture Awards

28th September 2019 - Two million attend Optus Stadium events in 2018

19th September 2019 - Cox Architecture and Hassell sued by builder over work at Perth’s Optus Stadium

23rd July 2019 - Final plans invited for Perth’s new Matagarup Bridge climb, zip-line and Optus Stadium rooftop climb

17th July 2019 - Events and Optus Stadium driving Western Australian tourism rebound

9th January 2019 - 27 design awards for Perth’s Optus Stadium in 2018

17th December 2018 - Optus Stadium project named world’s best at global awards

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