PERTH'S new Optus Stadium has been officially opened to the people of Western Australia, with more than 100,000 fans expected to pass through the gates at Sunday's open day.
West Coast and Fremantle members have taken the opportunity to test their allocated seats and explore the 60,000-seat stadium at Sunday's event, which sold out last November.
Premier Mark McGowan and his predecessor Colin Barnett opened the gates at 8am, with crowds spread out across separate tours that will last into Sunday evening.
Optus Stadium CEO Mike McKenna said the community day was a chance to share the state-of the-art venue with people of WA as well as learn some lessons before a bumper period of major events.
Take the tour: Virtual look at Optus Stadium
"There'll be lots of good things we'll experience today that we can put into practice," McKenna told 6PR radio.
"But to be frank, this is an event unlike anything we'll do from hereon probably.
"The stadium and the transport system is designed to bring people in and give them a good time and send them away all together.
"Today we've got 110,000 people, maybe more, arriving through the day and leaving through the day … that puts the whole thing to a test in a different way, but we'll learn a lot."
This Stadium is open.#OptusStadium pic.twitter.com/N0QX35hXhQ
— Mark McGowan (@MarkMcGowanMP) January 20, 2018
Optus Stadium will host its first event – a cricket one day international between Australia and England – on January 28.
It will be the first of five events in 41 days, including an AFLW clash between Fremantle and Collingwood on February 10 and the venue's first concert, with Ed Sheeran booked to perform on March 2 and 3.
West Coast won the right to host the first AFL match at the venue and will face Sydney on March 25, with Fremantle to face Essendon on March 31.
"Walking around seeing the looks on peoples' faces, the excitement and delight, people have been trying their seats if they're members of clubs and they've been happy with their views," McKenna said.
A growing issue for Optus Stadium as it prepares for its opening sporting events has been transport to and from the venue, with the footbridge that will provide access from the city not expected to be completed until May.
McKenna urged fans to use public transport and said the stadium and transport system was designed to get a full crowd out of the venue and on their way within an hour.
"We know the stories of everyone in Perth wanting to drive everywhere, and there's an element of truth to that," McKenna said.
"But I think it'll become apparent pretty quickly that you can still drive, just drive to a place you can leave your car and get on public transport.
"It's the easiest and best way, unless you're within walking distance."
The view from the Member's Area, centre stage. Stunning. #OptusStadium pic.twitter.com/t25qiZUQF2
— Cale Black (@caleblack_) January 21, 2018
Welcome to the @OptusStadium #FanExperience
— Blair Hughes (@MrBlairHughes) January 20, 2018
- 60,000 cup holders
- 15,000 LED lights
- 1536 Toilets (more F than M)
- 1200 WiFi access points
- 600 Bike racks
- 2x 340sqm screens
- 1x Jetty drop off
- Local F&B/craft beer
Bring on the first game.#OptusStadium pic.twitter.com/BYAuQ0bi5Q
Wow, just wow. #OptusStadium #bpg1 pic.twitter.com/moBY4aWC8T
— Perth Police (@PerthPol) January 21, 2018