Populous celebrates opening of new Bankwest Stadium

The new $360 million Bankwest Stadium in Parramatta delivers the ultimate live sports experience, taking game day atmosphere to a new level and boasting a series of Australian firsts that revolutionise modern stadium design.

Designed by Populous, the stadium features 30,000 seats that are positioned as close to the field as possible, providing the best sightlines of any rectangular stadium in Australia and ensuring spectators never miss a moment.

Bankwest Stadium has been designed to amplify crowd noise and provide unrivalled views via the 360 degree LED screens, creating a wall of sound and colour. Adaptable LED signage dresses the stadium in team colours and branding, creating a vibrant game day atmosphere.

Fans are offered diverse seating and hospitality options including pitch-side field clubs (a first for a rectangular stadium in Australia), 700-seat dining spaces, and intimate concourse bars and suites with balconies and views facing both the pitch and the park.

Populous Lead Architect, Al Baxter, said the fan experience was central to the design of the stadium.

“Our design was driven by a focus on making live sport extraordinary – the atmosphere, proximity to the pitch, great amenities and being there to support local teams in our national sporting codes. We wanted to create an experience that draws the Western Sydney community together, again and again,” Baxter said.

Drawing inspiration from the manufacturing and industrial heritage of Parramatta and the greater Western Sydney area, the design includes the use of exposed steel, while respecting its parkland setting.

“One of our key inspirations was to incorporate aspects of the manufacturing and industrial heritage of Parramatta and the greater Western Sydney area,” Baxter said.

“The use of exposed steel on the exterior of the stadium, on show in the concourse entries, as well as the precast concrete units which create the distinctive, horizontal patterned façade, are all an unapologetic nod to western Sydney’s industrial roots.

“The stadium encourages a strong connection with its surrounds, with the addition of children’s playgrounds, small cafes, and exercise equipment facing onto the park for non-event day use.”

Bankwest Stadium CEO, Daryl Kerry, said the stadium was designed for fans with the event experience front of mind, from the moment they arrive at the precinct, until they leave.

“The stadium will offer a new level of fan experience and engagement. It provides a fantastic new stage for rugby league, football and rugby union, with fans closer to the action than ever before. It will also host a range of community events and activities, business meetings, shows and concerts,” Kerry said.

Lendlease Construction Manager, Richard Yarad, said it was a privilege to lead the construction of this wonderful new sporting facility and deliver it on time for the Western Sydney community on behalf of Infrastructure NSW and the NSW Government.

“The stadium has been built to maximise game day experience; seats are as close to the field as possible, sightlines are the best in Australia for a rectangular stadium and the roof provides 100% spectator coverage,” Yarad said.

“The project also created more than 1,200 jobs during construction and increased opportunities for local Western Sydney residents and businesses.”

The venue is managed by Venues NSW, with operators VenuesLive.