Going to the big game between Australia and Japan in the AFC Qualifiers? Or considering making a stop in Perth to watch West Coast Eagles in the AFL, the Perth Scorchers from the WBBL, or a marquee football game like the aforementioned Socceroos game…check out this guide top tips as to make your experience even better!
The Basics
- Name: Optus Stadium (commercial name; often just Perth Stadium).
- Location: Burswood, Perth, Western Australia (postcode 6100). It sits on what used to be Burswood Park Golf Course, right next to the Crown Perth entertainment complex.
- Capacity: 61,266 (expandable to ~65,000), making it the third-largest stadium in Australia.
- Opened: 21 January 2018 (built late 2017). It features a striking oval design with a lightweight membrane roof (covering ~85% of seats).
- Home Teams: AFL – West Coast Eagles and Fremantle Dockers share it (both moved here from Subiaco Oval). Cricket – the Perth Scorchers (Big Bash). Soccer – Perth Glory hosts big A-League games here (e.g. the 2019 Grand Final) and it’s used for Socceroos/Matildas internationals and touring clubs.
- Unique Features: Modern tech at every turn: dual giant 340 m² LED screens (4K) at each end, 1000+ smaller TVs around the concourses, ultra-fast WiFi-6 and full 5G coverage, digital ticketing and stadium app for info. An on-site microbrewery pub (The Camfield) sits just outside. Fans are never more than ~40m from a food or drink outlet. For thrill-seekers there are rooftop tours (Halo and Vertigo) atop the stadium (Halo opened 2021). A pedestrian bridge (Matagarup) links to the riverfront on matchdays, and even a jetty for river taxis.
First Impressions: What’s the Stadium Experience Like?
Walking into the Stadium Park precinct is awe-inspiring. The sleek steel-and-glass oval glows at night and feels like a mini-Grand Prix pit next to the river. The sweeping roof gives it a futuristic “spaceship” vibe. Inside, the bowl is steep and open, with excellent sight-lines. The roof fabric shields most seats (85% coverage), but fans in high sun-exposed corners on summer days might feel the heat – this design means it can get even hotter than the old WACA cricket ground on still days. Overall the place feels brand-new, with comfortable seating and bright LED lighting. For big soccer games the atmosphere can be energetic (especially if the crowd sings together), but even during AFL or cricket matches the crowd noise carries well.
The massive video screens make following the action easy, and the PA sound system is crisp. There’s no fixed “pyro zone” or elaborate tifo scene like European stadiums – Glory’s crowd is fairly family-friendly and laid-back, though spirited. A few rows of hardcore Glory fans sometimes stand behind a goal, waving flags, but most people sit or wave scarves in good cheer.
Matchday traditions are low-key: you might hear the usual “Glory boys” chants, and West Coast/Fremantle fans have AFL songs, but nothing too wild. Because Optus Stadium is relatively new, it doesn’t have the “ancient fortress” mystique; instead the vibe is modern and open. Many fans comment on the novelty of being so close to the action on field – here the steepness and tech keep you engaged. During finals or sold-out internationals it roars like a cauldron, but on quieter Glory nights it feels more intimate. Overall it’s a top-notch venue: visually impressive on arrival and very comfortable for spectators.
How to Get There
- Train: The easiest way on event day. Perth Stadium has its own train station (on the Armadale/Thornlie lines) located just steps from the entrance. Trains run ~every 15 minutes to Elizabeth Quay/Perth Station (city center) taking only ~5–10 minutes. After games, extra trains run and staff direct fans.
- Bus: A large Transperth bus terminal (22 stands) sits just outside the stadium. Regular routes (e.g. the 653 bus) go from Perth CBD or nearby suburbs in ~15 minutes. Check Transperth for night services.
- Ferry: You can even arrive by boat! The Burswood Jetty on the Swan River is used for small ferries/river cruises on matchdays. Little Ferry Co stops daily and Captain Cook Cruises run special event transfers. It’s a scenic and relaxing way to come if you’re near the river.
- Taxi/Rideshare: Taxis and Ubers can drop off and pick up near the Stadium Park (access via Goodwood Parade/Victoria Park Dr). Traffic can get heavy 1–2 hours before/after events, so allow extra time. The precinct is well-lit and patrolled – in fact there’s an on-site police station and 650+ CCTV cameras, so it feels safe even late at night.
- Car: No general parking on major event days! All stadium lots are reserved (only local/allied parking or permit holders). Your best bet is to park in the CBD or suburban station carparks and take train/bus in. (On non-event days limited paid parking is available nearby, but you usually don’t need it.) If you do drive, allow extra time for the gridlock on nearby highways – sporting events can gridlock Great Eastern and Graham Farmer Freeway.
- Walking/Cycling: It’s only about 4 km from the Perth CBD (roughly a 30–40 min walk). There are good sidewalks along the river (Matagarup Bridge connects East Perth to Burswood). If you bike, the Stadium has 500+ bike racks at Stadium Park.
Optus Stadium Tickets
- Where to Buy: Given the wealth of events taking place at Optus Stadium in Perth, it’s best to check the official listing page and then follow the links to the ticketing platform, which is commonly Ticketmaster.
- Price Range: Wildly varies on the event and demand.
- Accessibility: The stadium is very accessible. Wheelchair and companion seats are available in each stand. The majority of seating is uncovered though 85% is under the roof. Some cheap side-view seats exist high up (these are steep, row 30+ on Level 5). For full immersion in the game, avoid upper corners. The best views are level 1 or 2 behind midfield.
Where to Eat Before the Game
Perth’s east-side is full of food options a short walk or drive away. A few fan-favorites include:
- The Camfield (brewpub): Right outside Optus Stadium Park. They brew their own beers and serve pub classics (big burgers, fish & chips, schnitzels, kebabs). It’s the closest sit-down spot for quality grub.
- Crown Perth Complex: 1–2 minutes away. Inside Crown, you’ll find food courts and restaurants: the casual Market & Co food hall has pizza, Japanese, roasts, burgers etc; 88 Noodle Bar for Asian eats; The Merrywell (a trendy burger/taco bar); plus fine dining like Bistro Guillaume. (To save time, you could grab a quick bite at one of the Crown buffets or the Atrium.)
- Local Takeaway: On Great Eastern Hwy and nearby streets, there are plenty of quick joints. Kebabs (e.g. Newroz Kebab/Pizza), chicken shops, and even a Domino’s Pizza are within 1–2 km. Tipsy Cow on Great Eastern (just past Crown) does excellent burgers and ribs if you have a car. A Subway and bakeries are also close by.
- Stadium Park Food Trucks: Before major matches the tailgate area often has food trucks and pop-ups (tacos, hot dogs, gelato). If it’s a small crowd, these may not appear; if a big event (soccer final, Super Rugby) is on, expect a festive outdoor food market.
- Chain Option: For picky eaters, there’s a Domino’s and several kebab shops by East Perth station (a short train ride away). These aren’t gourmet but they won’t disappoint if you just want a quick, cheap meal.
Best Places to Drink
- The Camfield Brewery: By far the most popular local pub. They brew small-batch beers on-site and have a wide tap selection (ales, pilsners, ciders). It’s casual, with big screens on weekends, and perfect for a pre-match pint.
- Crown Perth Bars: The Crown complex next door is packed with bars for any taste. The Lobby Bar (in Crown Towers) is popular. The food hall Merrywell has a full bar and often a DJ. Crown’s PJ O’Brien’s brewpub (a 5-min walk) has a great crowd atmosphere.
- Local Pubs: If you head a bit further, the Burswood Pier Hotel and Redcastle Brewery are 5–10 min away by car – both are decent suburban pubs with sports on TV. In a hurry, the Jarrah or Lucky Shag pubs in Victoria Park are reachable on foot (0.7 km).
- Fan Vibe: Soccer and AFL crowds mix here. Generally fans are easygoing and chatty – there’s not much hostility (soccer hooliganism is rare). Glory supporters are known to be friendly and may sing team songs, but it’s not as intense as bigger football cultures.
- Beer Style: Australasian lagers dominate (VB, XXXX, Tooheys), but with a craft scene too. The Camfield and Redcastle focus on craft (pale ales, porters, specialty brews), while Crown’s bars stock imported beers and cocktails. Don’t expect stadium-brand beers here; choices are plentiful.
- Stadium Bars: If you arrive very early, the rooftop Ozone bar is open (it usually opens ~3pm and does cocktails and snacks with DJ events on weekends). Once inside Optus Stadium, there are also large beer gardens and kiosks.
Inside the Stadium: Food, Drink, and Facilities
- Concessions: Over 50 food and drink outlets line the concourses. Expect a wide range: Aussie classics (meat pies, sausage rolls, chicken parmigiana), burgers and hot dogs, pizza, nachos, sushi and Asian noodles, fish & chips, and even gelato. Most kiosks have soft drinks, tea/coffee, and beer on tap or in cans. Gluten-free and vegetarian options (salads, falafel wraps) are usually available. More upscale snacks include shrimp on the barbie and BBQ chicken from Crown concessions.
- Food Quality: It’s good by stadium standards – food is freshly prepared on-site. Prices are a bit higher than a normal cafe (typical burger or pie ~$10–15, beer ~$10). Insider tip: on non-sellout nights, concession lines move quickly thanks to plenty of kiosks (and sensor turnstiles speed up entry). On packed nights expect 10–15 min queues at peak.
- Toilets: Extremely plentiful and modern. There are 748 men’s and 781 women’s toilets, plus 60 accessible stalls. Washrooms are spotless compared to older venues. Because stadium staff frequently clean during breaks, you rarely see queues longer than 5 minutes even at halftime. Each concourse block has several toilet banks.
- Seating Comfort: Seats are plastic but well-maintained, with decent legroom. Row numbers are high but accessible via multiple ramps and lifts (for upper levels). Each seat has a cup-holder slot. There are no vertical handrails in the rows (unusual for the very highest seats), but stadium staff are happy to help.
- Facilities & Atmosphere: The place never feels overcrowded, partly because it was designed for crowd flow. Wide aisles and big staircases prevent bottlenecks. The Bankwest Club lounges (levels 6–7) have climate-controlled indoor areas with bars if you splurged. Scoreboard replays and live stats are visible on huge screens and the apps. Cleanliness: Rival fans and home fans alike praise how clean everything stays.
- Security/Convenience: Entry is through electronic gates with bag checks and (since 2018) metal detectors. Staff are well-trained and friendly. There are water fountains and first-aid stations on every level. Wi-Fi is free for guests, and cell reception (especially Telstra 5G) is superb.
Beyond Football: What Else is Nearby?
One of the perks of Optus Stadium is its location in Perth’s Riverside Precinct, surrounded by attractions – perfect for combining a game with sightseeing. Nearby highlights include:
- Crown Perth & Optus Stadium Park: Right next door is Crown’s casino, hotels and restaurants (try the Asian food hall, classic steakhouse Rockpool, or just enjoy the casino lights). Stadium Park itself (a former golf course) is a lovely green space to stroll.
- City Attractions: Just a short ferry/train ride away is central Perth. Kings Park & Botanic Garden (1.5 km up the river) is a must-see – huge park with city views. Across the river at Elizabeth Quay you’ll find the Bell Tower (famous carillon) and promenades. The Perth Mint (right by the quay) is interesting for history buffs. If you go into Northbridge, the nightlife and food scene are buzzing.
- Fremantle & Beaches: About 30 min by car or train, Fremantle is a historic port city with great markets and the old prison tour. It’s ideal for a day trip. From Fremantle you’re minutes from famous beaches: Cottesloe and Scarborough (soft sand, surf, cafes).
- Swan Valley (Wine Region): A 25-min drive north brings you to Perth’s wine country. Swan Valley is dotted with wineries, craft breweries, and chocolate shops. It’s popular for leisurely afternoons of wine-tasting and cheese.
- Rottnest Island: Just off the coast, Rottnest is accessible by 30-min ferry. Known for its quokkas (friendly marsupials), turquoise bays and bikes-only roads, Rotto is a fun excursion if you have extra days.
- Day/Weekend Trip: Perth (and Burswood/Optus Stadium) make for a great short getaway. The city is compact, with flights coming in all day (you can easily see Kings Park, Elizabeth Quay, and a beach in one day). If you stay overnight, you can relax at the Swan Valley or Rottnest the next day. The stadium adds a scenic anchor: you could arrive by ferry on game day, watch a match, then head into the city – a very Perth experience. All in all, Perth’s weather and mix of nature plus city life mean Optus Stadium is just one highlight of a rich visit.
“Stadium Photo” by Bahnfrend is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
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