CommBank Stadium is one of Australia’s newest sports grounds.
Built on the site of a former racecourse that was established in 1847, the venue is very much home to rectangular field sports now.
Enjoying an easy to get to location and excellent facilities, this wonderful, contemporary sports stadium is a magnificent place to watch sports, with every site providing spectators with a terrific view of the action.
As any spectator who has attended a match will testify, the atmosphere at the ground is always at a fever pitch.
But what do you really know about the stadium?
In this article, we will carry on our overview of major professional sports stadiums in Australia, by providing you with more details about them.
So let’s get into it.
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About the Stadium
CommBank Stadium is an impressive rectangular multi-purpose stadium that is located in the city of Parramatta. Lying within the region of Greater Western Sydney, it is about 15 miles to the west of the Sydney CBD.
Formerly known as Bankwest Stadium and Western Sydney Stadium, the ground was built at a cost of $300 million by Landlease on the old Parramatta Stadium, which was demolished in the process. In turn, that was built on the former site of the Cumberland Oval, which had previously been home to the Parramatta Eels for almost 40 years.
The stadium in its current form opened in April 2019, with an NRL match between the Parramatta Eels and the Wests Tigers. It is currently owned by the NSW Government and was designed by Populous Architects.
Notably, it features the steepest grandstands in any Australian sports stadium.
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What Sports Are Played at CommBank Stadium?
CommBank Stadium is primarily used for three major sporting codes in Australia – namely, rugby league, rugby union and football matches.
It is the official home of the Parramatta Eels, New South Wales Waratahs and Western Sydney Wanderers. While the West Tigers and Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs also host some NRL games there. Up until 2021 the South Sydney Rabbitohs also played some of their competitive matches there.
At the international level, the ground has also hosted games involving the Socceroos and the Matildas. It is
also due to host a Rugby Championship match between the Wallabies and Argentina.
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Other Events
Like many of the best sporting venues in Australia, CommBank Stadium is also a concert venue too.
Since opening in 2019 it has hosted some big name artists. The first of which was Cold Chisel in January 2020, who were supported by the Hoodoo Gurus and Birds of Tokyo.
A couple of months later, Elton John performed at the venue as well. While the likes of Green Day, Fall Out Boy and Weezer were all supposed to take the stage on the Hella Mega Tour in November of that year. However, the event was cancelled due to Covid-19 restrictions.
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Facilities
CommBank Stadium is a multi-purpose, state-of-the-art stadium that, as previously mentioned, is renowned for having the steepest grandstands of any sports venue in Australia.
With a capacity of 30,000, the venue creates a fantastic experience for sports and entertainment events, providing spectators with an uninterrupted view of proceedings.
The stadium is equipped with a range of technologies like two large high-resolution LED screens and a cutting-edge sound system that creates a high-energy atmosphere. It also has LED floodlights, and notably features safe-standing, which is designated behind one of the goals. Thus making it the first all-seater stadium in the country to reintroduce this concept.
As well as having several food and beverage options, merchandise stores and plenty of restrooms, CommBank stadium has also been designed with accessibility in mind. Wheelchair and companion seating are available on all levels, in addition to accessible restrooms and parking.
Other facilities at the ground include free WI-FI, a male and female prayer room, ATMs and parent rooms.
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How to get to the stadium
CommBank Stadium enjoys a convenient location in Parramatta which makes it one of the most accessible stadiums in the country to get to via several modes of transportation.
One of the best ways to get to the stadium is by train, with the nearest station to the ground being Parramatta Station, which is only a 10-minute walk away. Alternatively, you might prefer to get the train to Westmead Station and make your way to CommBank Stadium by cutting through Parramatta Park. Generally, trains to Parramatta operate every 10 to 15 minutes.
In addition to the trains, there are plenty of bus services that regularly run to and from Parramatta Interchange. If you make your way down Argyle St and then Church St it will take you about 10 minutes to get to the stadium, either along the Riverside Walk or through Prince Alfred Square.
Typically there is no public parking available at the stadium, so if you intend to drive there you will need to park at one of the public parking stations near the ground. Some of the better ones to look out for are the Wentworth Street Car Park, which has 1,150 spaces, and the Eat Street Car Park on George Street which has 560 spaces. Over on Hunter Street, the Justice Precinct Car Park also has 497 spaces.
There are plenty of taxis and ride-share services that will also get you to the stadium, while you can also catch a ferry to the Parramatta Wharf, which is a 15-minute walk from the venue.
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Food in ground
Even if you are not a fan of sports, it’s worth coming to CommBank Stadium just for its food options.
Offering a selection of food vendors that few other sports grounds in Australia can match, you can get everything from gourmet burgers and South Carolina-inspired Pulled Pork Rolls to nourish bowls and freshly prepared seafood.
At the Barbecue Pit in Aisle 102 you can feast on the pulled pork as well as gourmet hot dogs, which are also available at Franks. Mr Chicken offers delicious Korean-fired chicken burgers and southern fried chicken, as well as good old pies and chips, while The Burger Place presents Angus beef burgers, classic cheeseburgers and 100% meat-free options as well.
For those into pizza, The Base Pizza has you well covered, with traditional margarita, BBQ meat lovers and vegetarian options available in individual portions. Likewise, Catch is the place to go for the likes of crispy whiting or salt and pepper squid with chips.
If you would prefer something healthier, Nourish on Aisle’s 119 and 122 has a good range of poke bowls, sandwiches, salads and wraps. With vegetarian and gluten-free options also available.
In terms of drinks, there are several bars dotted around the venue. Additionally, the Westpresso will satisfy your coffee needs with the stadium’s own blend.
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Accommodation near the ground
If you need someone to stay on the day before or after the match, there are numerous places near the stadium you can make a reservation at.
Ranging from budget-friendly options to more luxurious accommodations, there is an option for all tastes and budgets.
Situated just a 10-minute stroll from the stadium, the Novotel Sydney Parramatta is a very good choice. Offering comfortable rooms and a range of amenities like a swimming pool, gym and restaurant that will enable you to really make a weekend of your stay.
Another popular option is the PARKROYAL Parramatta. Again, this is within walking distance of CommBank Stadium, which means it won’t take you too long to get back after a night match. It also presents stylish rooms that have either river or city views, as well as a nice restaurant and bar.
If you are looking for something a bit more affordable, the Wentworthville Ibis is an excellent option. It
has simple rooms not too far from the stadium that will make travelling to the game from out of state a more attractive proposition.
Two other establishments that are worth considering are the Mercure Sydney Parramatta and the Rydges Parramatta. Both of these offer nice rooms and a good range of amenities that will ensure you have an enjoyable stay.
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Good pubs to visit
For those who want to enjoy a match day drink, there are several very good pubs and bars near the stadium you could visit.
One venue many fans seem to head to is Albion Hotel, which is just a short walk from the stadium. Dating back to the 1860s, this fabulous place offers a good selection of craft beers, and pub-style meals, as well as a large outdoor beer garden to enjoy them in.
Another popular option is the Rose and Crown Hotel. Located a few blocks from the stadium, it has a spacious bistro and sports bar area, regular live music, and a nice selection of beers on tap.
Similarly, The Commercial Hotel, a heritage-listed venue with a modern bar and outdoor courtyard, is a favoured spot for drinks and meals, either side of matches, for many spectators. While other options include the Parramatta Leagues Club, which featured multiple bars and plenty of big screen TVs that show lots of sport and the Royal Oak Hotel, which serves up a terrific range of pub-style meals and also has a nice beer garden.
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Quick Stats
Address: 11-13 O’Connell St, Parramatta NSW 2150
Capacity: 30,000
Opened: 14th April 2019
Field size: 140 m × 80 m
Record attendance: 29,372 – Parramatta Eels vs Brisbane Broncos, 15 September 2019)