Walk the Matagarup Bridge from East Perth and Optus Stadium comes into view across the Swan River: a 60,000-plus-seat bowl wrapped in a bronze-toned facade, opened on 21 January 2018 after a four-year, roughly $1.6 billion build. It replaced the ageing WACA Ground as WA’s premier sporting venue and was designed jointly by architecture firms Hassell, HKS and Cox, whose brief drew on Western Australia’s geology and landscape for the building’s distinctive bronze exterior.
It’s more than a stadium. The Burswood Peninsula site, adjacent parkland, and pedestrian bridge access have made it a piece of civic infrastructure rather than just somewhere to watch football, and it’s worth understanding whether you’re planning around a match, a concert, or simply want to see one of Perth’s more striking modern buildings up close.
What Happens Here
Optus Stadium is home to both West Coast Eagles and Fremantle Dockers, WA’s two AFL clubs (the Eagles founded in 1986 and playing their first season in 1987, the Dockers founded in 1994 and debuting in 1995), and their derby matches are among the most intense sporting events in the city. It also hosts the Perth Scorchers in the Big Bash League cricket competition, international and domestic cricket, major touring concerts, and occasional soccer and rugby league fixtures.
There’s something on most weeks during the relevant season, so check the events calendar at optusstadium.com.au before planning a trip around a specific event.
AFL season (roughly March to September, finals into October)
Matches typically fall on a Thursday or Sunday, occasionally Saturday. Eagles-Dockers derbies and games against high-profile interstate clubs regularly fill the stadium. Expect a committed, vocal crowd rather than a casual atmosphere; general admission tickets commonly run somewhere in the $40 to $80 range depending on opponent and seat, with premium seating well above that, though prices shift regularly, so check current pricing through the clubs or Ticketmaster before assuming a figure.
Big Bash League cricket (roughly December to February)
Evening fixtures, generally starting around 6pm to 7pm, in a noticeably more relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere than AFL. Tickets are typically cheaper than AFL games. It’s a solid, low-commitment evening option if you’re in Perth over an Australian summer.
Concerts and other events
Major international and Australian touring acts play here several times a year, with the venue reconfigured for non-seated capacity well above its standard AFL bowl figure. Tickets are generally sold through Ticketmaster or the official stadium site.
Stadium Tours (OZONE)
If you’re visiting without an event to attend, OZONE is the stadium’s tours and experiences program, running guided tours of the bowl, seating areas and behind-the-scenes spaces (subject to change around the events calendar), plus a rooftop experience with views across the river and CBD. Tours generally run around 90 minutes and are family-friendly. Check optusstadium.com.au/ozone for current schedules, since tour availability shifts around the events calendar.
Getting There
Train is the most straightforward option: Perth Stadium Station is a purpose-built, six-platform interchange right by the ground, with its own eastern and western concourses so different lines don’t bottleneck through a single entry. Yanchep and Fremantle line trains use the Western Concourse; Armadale, Thornlie–Cockburn and Perth-bound services use the Eastern Concourse, both stepping out a short walk from Gates A and B. More on trains here including a full network map.
Mandurah line passengers travel via Perth Underground and change there, while Midland line passengers use the upgraded East Perth Station and walk roughly 20 minutes to the stadium via the Windan Bridge, which the AFL specifically directs Dockers members toward on match days. On event days, trains run as often as every two minutes, and services increase further around major fixtures.
Walking across the Matagarup Bridge from East Perth is the more scenic option, taking roughly 15 to 20 minutes from the East Perth side and forming part of the match-day ritual for a lot of regular attendees, with good river views along the way. Be aware that construction on the new Perth Park precinct has closed the pedestrian path between the stadium and Crown Perth/Belmont Park to the south; if you’re approaching from that direction, use the signposted detour via Camfield Drive or Victoria Park Drive instead, since it adds walking time. Access to Perth Stadium Station and the bus station itself is unaffected by these works.
Driving is workable but limited as on-site parking is modest and priced at a premium, with more extensive paid parking around the wider Burswood Estate precinct. On major match days, parking fills quickly and exit congestion after the final siren can run to 30 to 60 minutes, so public transport is the less stressful option for anything but a quiet midweek fixture.
Match Day Basics
Gates typically open around 90 minutes before kick-off, and it’s worth arriving in that window rather than right on time, particularly for derbies or finals.
Stadium food runs to standard, somewhat inflated arena pricing (think burgers, pies and pizza), for example: Mrs Mac’s beef pie $6.50; Hot chips $7.20; Kebab $15;Specialty burger around $15, mid-strength beer around $14.
Bring sun protection if you’re in exposed seating, since Perth’s afternoon sun and heat can be significant even outside peak summer. More on that below.
Which seats?
Best overall: Level 3, halfway between the wing and centre
Sections around 330–333 or 350–353, roughly central to the ground and offers excellent elevated view of the entire field yet high enough to see plays developing, but not so high that players look tiny. Usually better for actually watching the game tactically than sitting right beside the boundary. Level 3 is also regarded by cricket fans as offering some of the stadium’s best views.
Best atmosphere: Level 1, near the wing
Look for Sections 129–134 or 143–148, depending on which side you’re on. These give you a much closer feeling to the action while still providing a good overall view. There are also numerous highly rated seat-view photos from sections around 133–136.
Best value: Level 5, centre/wing
Something around Sections 502–508 or 534–540 can be surprisingly good. You’re much higher, but Optus Stadium was specifically designed with good sightlines, and fans regularly report excellent views from the upper levels.
One very important Perth consideration, if it’s an afternoon game, I’d pay attention to which side you’re sitting on. The western side becomes particularly attractive later in the afternoon because the roof provides shade. Sections around 120–140, 326–340 and 520–540 tend to be shaded later in the day.
What Locals Know
Regular attendees walk the Matagarup Bridge rather than drive whenever the weather cooperates, both to skip the parking chaos and because it’s become part of the pre-match atmosphere in its own right. Locals also know that derby tickets (Eagles versus Dockers) sell out fastest and are worth booking well ahead rather than assuming late availability, while midweek and lower-profile matchups are considerably easier to get good seats for at short notice. On the cricket side, Scorchers games are widely regarded locally as the easier, cheaper, more relaxed entry point if you want the stadium experience without AFL’s intensity or price tag.
Combine With Nearby Perth
Burswood Estate, the parkland immediately surrounding the stadium, is free, accessible daily, and worth a walk before or after an event. Heirisson Island, a short walk away, adds a quieter riverside stretch if you want to extend the walk further. Elizabeth Quay, about 2km away, is a solid choice for a pre or post-event meal in a more polished waterfront setting.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I buy tickets?
Through the relevant club websites (West Coast Eagles, Fremantle Dockers, Perth Scorchers), Ticketmaster, or the official Optus Stadium site, depending on the event.
Is the stadium accessible for people with mobility issues?
Yes, with wheelchair-accessible seating, accessible parking and toilets, and lifts throughout. Contact the stadium in advance to arrange accessible seating for a specific event.
What’s the difference between the Eagles and the Dockers?
Both are Perth-based AFL clubs. The Eagles are the older and more established of the two, founded in 1986 and playing their first season in 1987; the Dockers followed, founded in 1994 and debuting in 1995. Their derby matches are among the most intense fixtures on the WA sporting calendar.
Can I do a stadium tour without attending an event?
Yes, through the OZONE tours and experiences program, which runs on non-event days and sometimes around events where areas remain accessible. Check optusstadium.com.au/ozone for current availability.
Is public transport reliable on event days?
Yes, train frequency increases around major events, and it’s the easier option compared with driving and parking.
How far is it from Perth Airport?
Around 25km, roughly 25 minutes by car or train.
Can I bring children?
Yes, family ticketing and family-friendly seating areas are available for most events. Big Bash cricket in particular has a noticeably lower-intensity, family-oriented atmosphere than AFL derbies.
How do I get there without a car?
Perth Stadium Station sits right by the ground and is served directly by the Yanchep, Fremantle, Armadale and Thornlie–Cockburn lines; Mandurah line passengers change at Perth Underground, and Midland line passengers walk around 20 minutes from East Perth Station via the Windan Bridge. Walking across Matagarup Bridge from East Perth is the scenic alternative, though the southern approach from Crown Perth is on a signposted detour due to nearby Perth Park construction works from February 2026.
Last Thoughts
Optus Stadium works as more than a sports venue: the walk across Matagarup Bridge, the surrounding Burswood parkland, and the building’s own architecture make it worth a visit even outside event days. But it’s best understood through an actual event, whether that’s the intensity of an Eagles-Dockers derby, a relaxed Scorchers evening, or a major touring concert. Check the calendar, take the train or walk the bridge, and budget stadium prices for food if you’re eating inside.