FOOTBALL fans are set to be dazzled by the world's largest LED sports lighting system when Perth Stadium opens in time for the 2018 AFL season.
Construction of the 60,000-seat venue is now more than 70 per cent complete, with the latest development seeing the installation of state-of-the-art lighting.
More than 15,000 LED lights are being attached to the roof of the stadium and throughout the Stadium Park precinct.
The lighting will illuminate the playing surface – replacing traditional floodlights like those used at Domain Stadium – but will also be used to create stunning visual effects for sporting events and concerts.
Perth Stadium's LED lighting will be the first of its kind anywhere in Australia, and similar to the lights used at Stamford Bridge, the home of English Premier League powerhouse Chelsea, and Italian football giant Juventus' stadium.
"This lighting system is another world-class design feature, allowing visually stunning light shows to be created inside and outside of the stadium," WA Premier Colin Barnett said.
"Perth Stadium will truly change the spectator experience and every design decision has always had the fans and their experience at the core.
"This lighting system will interact with the fabric roof lighting system, allowing the roof to act as a giant canvas, capable of showcasing a variety of colours in numerous configurations such as purple for Dockers games and blue and gold for Eagles home games."
The lights are expected to be fully fitted by mid-2017, when 17,000 square metres of turf is also scheduled to be rolled out onto the playing surface for the first time.
Meanwhile, more than a third (23,000) of Perth Stadium's seats have already been installed, with the rest to be fitted by March.
Each seat will have a drink holder, while general admission seats will be 50cm wide – the equivalent of two bench seats at Domain Stadium – and have significantly more legroom.
The majority of seats will also be located between the 50m arcs for AFL matches, bringing fans closer to the action.
About 85 per cent of seats are undercover, while sightlines from the top tier match the views from upper levels of the MCG, the current benchmark in Australia.
The high-tech Perth Stadium will also boast the two largest replay screens in the southern hemisphere, with some more exciting developments set to be unveiled in the final year of construction.
Focus remains on the internal fit-out of the venue, with the current 800-strong workforce set to swell to 1200 people in the coming months.
Aerial shot of Perth Stadium in January. Picture: perthstadium.com.au
