Over the years Accor Stadium has witnessed some of Australia’s most iconic sporting moments.
Who could forget Cathy Freeman’s country-uniting sprint to win the gold medal in the women’s 400 metres at the Sydney Olympics in 2000?
Or John Aloisi’s euphoric shirt twirling above his bare torso, as his successful penalty shoot-out kick sent Australia to the World Cup for the first time in 32 years?
Then of course there was the heartbreak of Johnny Wilkinson’s last-second kick that won England the game in the 2003 Rugby World Cup final.
And who could forget the scenes when the South Sydney Rabbitohs triumphed in the NRL Grand Final to record their first title in 43 years?
All of these memories will remain in Australia’s sporting landscape forevermore. But who knows what will happen when you go there?
About the Stadium
Formerly known as Stadium Australia, Accor Stadium, is a multipurpose stadium that is located in Sydney Olympic Park.
It was originally built for the 2000 Summer Olympics and Paralympics, where it hosted the opening and closing ceremonies, as well as various athletic events.
When it was constructed, it could hold a capacity of 110,000 spectators. However, after a reconfiguration of the stadium took place in 2003, this was reduced to 83,500 in order to provide it with the capability of hosting five different professional sporting codes – namely rugby league, rugby union, AFL, cricket and football.
One of the most impressive features of the stadium is its retractable roof that can be closed in under 20 minutes. Made up of two separate halves, both are held up by a series of 24 steel trusses. It has been constructed from translucent polycarbonate to reduce direct beams of sunlight and shadows from negatively impacting the playing surface. This creates wonderful conditions for both TV viewers and in-ground spectators alike.
The stadium has previously been known as Telstra Stadium after a sponsorship deal with Telstra Corporation and ANZ Stadium. It held its first sporting event on 6th March 1999 when 104,583 spectators (a record at the time) watched an NRL doubleheader to kick off the season, featuring the Knights v Sea Eagles and Eels v Dragons.
Over the years, the world-class stadium has held some major sporting events including the 2003 Rugby World Cup, the 2015 AFC Asian Cup, and the 2018 Invictus Games.
In 2020, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, it was even used as a temporary hospital to help alleviate the strain on the healthcare system. The stadium was fitted out with medical equipment and staffed by healthcare professionals to provide care for non-COVID-19 patients.
Sports Played
The Accor Stadium is the only venue in the world that can host five different professional sports, namely NRL, AFL, rugby union, football and cricket.
In the NRL, the Canterbury Bulldogs and South Sydney Rabbitohs play most of their home games at the stadium, while the ground has also hosted home matches for the New South Wales Blues in State of Origin games.
In the AFL, the Greater Western Sydney Giants sometimes play at the Accor Stadium when their main home ground, the Sydney Showground Stadium is unavailable. In the past, the Sydney Swans have played there too.
International rugby union and football games involving Australia have also taken place at the venue, including the famous match in 2005 when the Socceroos qualified for the world cup, after Jon Aloisi’s successful spot-kick.
In addition, the ground has also hosted international T20 cricket between Australia v India and was the home ground for domestic games involving the Sydney Thunder.
Other Events
Although predominantly known as a sports ground, the stadium is also a major concert venue.
Over the last couple of decades, it has hosted some of the biggest musical artists in the world, including AC/DC, Adele, Bon Jovi, Ed Sheran, Eminem, Foo Fighters, Justin Bieber, Taylor Swift, The Rolling Stones, and U2.
One of the biggest musical events to ever take place at the stadium was a major fundraiser in aid of Fire Fight Australia In February 2020.
Overall it ran for more than 10 hours and featured a star-studded lineup of 23 acts, attracting 75,000 attendees and an international television audience of millions of people. It raised well over $10.7 million for the national bushfire appeal.
Facilities
Accor Stadium boasts state-of-the-art facilities that make attending sports and music events a very comfortable and enjoyable experience.
Set across three tiers, all its seats have been designed for comfort and visibility, providing spectators with excellent views of the action.
It also has excellent accessibility and designated seating areas for people with disabilities, including hearing loops for those with hearing impairments.
The technology at the stadium is cutting edge too and includes large video screens, a terrific sound system and even free high-speed Wi-Fi throughout it, which enables guests to stay connected during matches and events.
Should you require it, there are several parking options available at the stadium, including paid parking in the stadium’s car park, disabled parking areas and other nearby parking facilities.
It also has outstanding first aid facilities available, staffed by trained medical personnel who are on hand to assist in case of any emergencies.
How to get to the stadium
There are several ways to get to Accor Stadium, depending on your location and mode of transportation.
Probably the easiest way to get there is by train, as there is a dedicated train station located at Sydney Olympic Park. Trains run regularly to and from the stadium, with services operating on the T1 Western Line, T2 Inner West & Leppington Line, and T7 Olympic Park Line.
If you would prefer to head there by bus, there are also several bus services that operate to and from Sydney Olympic Park. These include routes 525, 526, 533, 534, and 535, with buses stopping at various locations around the stadium, including near the train station and the main entrance.
As previously alluded to, you can also drive to the ground. It is also fairly well connected via pedestrian and cycle paths and there are plenty of taxis and ride-share services such as Uber or Ola that can also take you there.
Food in ground
If you’re heading to Accor Stadium in Sydney for a game or event, you’ll find plenty of quick and convenient options inside the stadium to suit your tastes.
This includes traditional sports fare like burgers, hot dogs, chips and pizzas, as well as a range of options for Asian Cuisine including stir-fry, noodle dishes, and dumplings.
Vegetarians and Vegans are also well catered to, with everything from veggie burgers and falafel wraps to all manner of salads being available.
For those who fancy more of a snack, there are lots of vendors selling popcorn, chips, and lollies. The stadium also has numerous bars and beverage stands located throughout it that serve up beers, wines, and soft drinks.
Accommodation near the ground
For those visiting from out of town, there are plenty of excellent hotel options near Accor Stadium in
which you can stay at.
One of the most popular is the Novotel Sydney Olympic Park, which is a 4-star hotel located just a short walk from the stadium. It offers spacious rooms with free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, and minibars, as well as an outdoor pool, a fitness centre and a restaurant.
If you really fancy treating yourself, the Pullman at Sydney Olympic Park is an excellent option. A luxury five-star hotel, it presents modern rooms and suites that come with flat-screen TVs and minibars. The property also offers free Wi-Fi, as well as an indoor pool, a fitness centre and an excellent restaurant.
For those on a budget, the Ibis Sydney Olympic Park is a budget-friendly hotel within easy walking distance of the stadium. The Quest at Sydney Olympic Park is a serviced apartment hotel that comes with a kitchenette which you may also wish to consider.
Good pubs to visit
Fancy a pint before the game? Well, there are several good pubs near the stadium you could head to wet your whistle.
Many sports fans stop in at The Royal Hotel, which is located in the heart of Sydney Olympic Park. As well as serving up an excellent range of beers on tap, they also have a number of big screens showing live sports, in addition to pool tables and a jukebox.
As its name suggests, the Locker Room is another popular spot for sports lovers. It is located inside the Novotel Sydney Olympic Park hotel and also has several big-screen TVs that are always showing live sports. Again it has several pool tables and a variety of drinks and snacks available.
Another great option is PJ O’Brien’s, which is an Irish pub located in the nearby suburb of Homebush. The atmosphere is always excellent in this pub and it is a much-loved spot for sports fans due to the live sports they show on multiple screens and the range of food and drinks they offer.
Quick Stats
Address: Sydney Olympic Park, New South Wales
Capacity: 82,500
Opened: 6 March 1999
Construction cost: $690 million
Field size: 170 m x 128 m (Oval)
Record attendance: 114,714: 2000 Olympics closing ceremony