Australia’s Top 8 Sports Stadiums
Australia has some of the most elite sports stadiums in the world and infrastructure has been boosted by big events including the Sydney Olympic Games in 2000.
It doesn’t matter whether you’re a football fan, rugby league or union, or an Australian rules football fan, Australia has got you covered. The magnificent architecture has placed the country among the top bidding to host some of the most popular sporting events in the world, including the FIFA World Cup.
In this article, we review eight of the most superb stadiums to watch a sporting event in Australia.
Optus Stadium, Perth
In 2019, Australian fans crowned Optus Stadium as the best stadium in the country on our stadium awards. This world-class stadium has a seating capacity of 60,000. It is also loved by many due to its multipurpose nature as it is capable of hosting AFL, cricket, football, rugby as well as other entertainment events such as concerts.
Some great features of the stadium include a roof with 85% of the permanent seats under the drip line. The arena also has two huge video screens and LED field lighting. It was the first stadium in Australia to offer a field club and suites found right next to the field of play. While in the stadium, you enjoy a 360-degree view of the pitch on the lower concourse.
It is home to West Coast Eagles and Fremantle Dockers in the AFL and BBL franchise Perth Scorchers.
Melbourne Cricket Ground
The MCG is the largest sports stadium in Australia with a capacity of 100,000 seats. This iconic Melbourne stadium has hosted some of the most memorable sporting events in Australia’s history. These include the 1956 Olympic Games, FIFA World Cup qualifiers, the 1992 & 2015 Cricket World Cups and the recent 2020 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup.
If you are a tourist on holiday in Melbourne, a visit to the MCG is a must. As well as attending several sports held at the ground, you can also visit the recently re-launched Australian Sports Museum or take a guided tour of the stadium.
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Located near the Milton Road Rail Station, Suncorp Stadium is a 52,000-seat rectangular stadium. It features a walk bridge from the rail to the stadium, making it easy to access for fans. The famous stadium is the home of the Brisbane Broncos, Brisbane Roar, the Queensland Maroons, the Queensland Reds, and it also hosts many major concerts.
Adelaide Oval
The Adelaide dates back to the 1890s, and this gives it a very nostalgic feeling to the sports
family. The stadium was given a major facelift that was concluded in 2014, converting it to a world-class sporting arena.
The historic stadium hosts cricket and AFL games. Travelers love the Adelaide Oval because it is within easy walking distance from the city and it has a seating capacity of 53,583.
For many, this is considered the most beautiful cricket ground in the world. But the stadium is now also recognised for its unbelievable acoustics during AFL games. There are also many eateries in the restaurant district that you can pop in after the game.
The stadium hosts AFL teams Adelaide Crows and Port Adelaide as their home and the Adelaide Strikers BBL franchise. It also occasionally hosts rugby league, union, football and concerts.
Bankwest Stadium, Sydney
Bankwest Stadium has a capacity of 30,000 seats and was voted as the best rectangular stadium in Australia in our recent awards. It eofficially opened in 2019 after being built on the location of the old Parramatta Stadium.
The stadium has the steepest stands that ensure fans are as close to the action as possible and the arena’s roof covers all seats and it also features 3000 premium seats and 54 corporate suites.
The stadium is the home for Parramatta Eels in the NRL and Western Sydney Wanderers in the A-League. It also hosts rugby union and concerts.
ANZ Stadium, Sydney
ANZ Stadium’s remarkable architecture is one of the most outstanding sights in the Sydney
skyline. It was initially called Stadium Australia and had a seating capacity of 110,000 during the Sydney Olympics in 2000. But, for practicality, the capacity was reduced to 83,000 seats following the event. The stadium hosts rugby league and union, football, and has previously hosted AFL, cricket and even American football.
Since its launch in 1999, the stadium has hosted some major sporting events including the NRL Grand Final each year. ANZ Stadium is set to be redeveloped from mid-2020 to improve its reputation as a world-class rectangular stadium.
AAMI Park, Melbourne
AAMI Park was the first world-class rectangular sports and entertainment stadium built in Melbourne. The venue has a capacity of over 30,000 seats and was opened in 2010.
AAMI Park is the home ground of the Melbourne Victory and Melbourne City Football Club, the Melbourne Storm Rugby League Club and Melbourne Rebels Super Super Rugby franchise.
The arena also boasts great architecture with its unique bioframe design and a geodesic dome roof that significantly covers the seating area. This design ensures spectators have a clear view devoid of pillars, walls, or other support structures.
Sydney Cricket Ground
The SCG was one of Australia’s first sporting and entertainment arenas and features a capacity of 48,000 seats. It is strategically located for relative ease of access at Moore Park that is four kilometers from the Sydney CBD. The arena is surrounded by top bars, restaurants, cinemas, and shops.
The famous stadium, which is managed by the Sydney Cricket and Sports Ground Trust, has hosted some great events including cricket, Australian rules football, rugby league and union, football and even baseball and cycling.
The arena is home to the Sydney Swans (AFL) and Sydney Sixers (BBL), as well as the Sydney Roosters (NRL) and NSW Waratahs (Super Rugby) while the Sydney Football Stadium is being rebuilt.
