Optus Stadium at night with a pink sunset in the background; Optus Stadium at night with a pink sunset in the background;

Optus Stadium, Perth

How do you design a world class stadium that puts fans first?

Optus Stadium in Perth delivers an exceptional atmosphere and experience – whether supporters are watching cricket, Australian Rules Football, rugby (union and league), athletics, soccer or entertainment events.

The commitment to a ‘fans first’ stadium has resulted in an innovative design ensuring an exceptional event atmosphere and home ground advantage that can only be experienced by being there. Designed for an initial capacity of 60,000 the stadium is safeguarded for the potential future addition of 10,000 seats.

Arup provided multidisciplinary services from the engineering design through to technical completion in 2017, including civil, geotechnical, structural, facades and traffic engineering, pitch design and pedestrian modelling.

Project Summary


World-class multi-purpose stadium using an innovative ‘fans first’ design

Fivetiered stadiumwith a striking bronze facade reflecting Western Australia’s geology

60,000seatsand third largest venue in Australia

Learn more about Arup’s work on the world class Perth Stadium. Our solution used an innovative ‘fans first’ design, ensuring an exceptional event atmosphere and home ground advantage that can only be experienced by being there.
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Engineering a complex development, on the brownfield site with a number of project requirements and stakeholders, presented a unique set of opportunities. Arup responded by putting together the A Team with technical and engineering specialists from Perth, Sydney, Adelaide, Melbourne, Brisbane, Singapore and London to engineer and deliver a city-shaping piece of architecture. 

BIM strategy

From the outset, Arup was driving an innovative approach that would see positive returns for all stakeholders once the facilities are operational.  Our BIM specialists developed an overall design, construction, operation and maintenance strategy for the project in conjunction with Multiplex which resulted in a robust and efficient delivery process.

Climate conditions roof

In developing a continuous, lightweight fabric roof that responds to Perth’s climatic conditions, the structural engineers developed a stunning and efficient roof solution in close collaboration with the architects and contractors that was driven by ease of fabrication, transportation and erection.

To this end, using innovative conceptual engineering details supplemented by advanced FEA (Finite Element Analysis), Arup was able to demonstrate that a continuous fabric roof, free from movement joints and integrated with lighting, PA and other systems was not just possible, but quick and safe to build.


Storytelling façade

Wrapping the stadium with a bronze facade made of anodised aluminium to reflect State’s unique geology, and intertwining it with LED lighting to show the home-team colours, is a testament to the engineering ingenuity. Arup applied a very lean series of façade solutions – multilayered rain screens. The facade prototypes were produced to confirm requirements and test for additional efficiencies in design and construction that could be incorporated into the final solutions.


Stadium oval

The bowl design for the multipurpose oval brings fans closer to the field which is typically achieved in only a rectangular configuration and incorporates options for reconfiguration for future events such as the Commonwealth Games. The pitch designers worked with playing surface industry experts and together developed a series of oval solutions for the precinct, which includes the community oval and ‘drop-in’ cricket wickets.

Exciting opportunities

The state-of-the-art facility is set in the Burswood Peninsula in close proximity to the city centre and the Perth Airport, overlooking the Swan River.  The stadium is complemented by the surrounding children playgrounds, a community oval , cafes, restaurants and other infrastructure that can be utilised on both event and non-event days, as part of Stadium Park.  The re-developed Burswood Peninsula will be a destination for locals and visitors alike.