Australasian Leisure Management
Jul 30, 2023

Optus Stadium unveils new collection of sport and entertainment memorabilia

Optus Stadium has today unveiled a new collection of sport and entertainment memorabilia - capturing some of the key moments delivered by global sports and entertainment stars since it opened in January 2018.

The new collection includes a striking 1.8m plinth, which recognises the stadium being awarded the Prix Versailles 2019 World Architecture Design Award and being officially named the most beautiful sporting facility in the world by UNESCO.

Memorabilia from the first sporting match held at the venue, sold out concerts and record-breaking event attendances are on display alongside signed jerseys, instruments and match day balls.

Some of the items on display include:

  • a match ball from the history making 2021 AFL Grand Final;

  • signed jerseys from the sold out 2019 State of Origin;

  • match ball and signed jerseys from the sold out Manchester v Leeds United match;

  • items from Ed Sheeran's 2018 ÷ Tour, the first concert ever held at Optus Stadium;

  • team shirt and match ball from the first sporting event held at the venue, the Australia v England One Day International;

  • signed jerseys from the four teams playing in the 2018 NRL Double Header;

  • signed jerseys from AFL's debut match, West Coast Eagles v Sydney Swans;

  • signed playing shirt worn by Virat Kohli when he scored the first cricket Test century at Optus Stadium; and

  • signed Wallabies and All Blacks jerseys from the first Bledisloe Cup to be held in Western Australia in front of what is still a stadium record crowd for a sporting event.

The new memorabilia is on display on levels 3 and 4, and much of it can be viewed by the public as part of an Optus Stadium tour. New cricket honour boards recognising players who have scored centuries or taken five wickets in an innings, in all forms of cricket, have also been installed on the level 1 concourse.

WA Sport and Recreation Minister David Templeman noted "Optus Stadium has hosted some truly world-class events in its five year history. This memorabilia collection captures some of the greatest moments, including the history-making AFL Grand Final, the first Bledisloe Cup to be played in WA and Ed Sheeran's sold out performance - the first concert held.

"Local, national and international visitors are all able to get a sense of the scale of the events that have been held here through a stadium tour."

The 90-minute Optus Stadium tour runs seven-days a week, at a cost of $28 adult and $18 child.

Image top: Ed Sheeran's 2018 ÷ Tour - the first concert ever held at Optus Stadium; Image above: first sporting event held at Optus Satdium - the Australia v England One Day International

Related Articles

Australasian Leisure Management Magazine
Subscribe to the Magazine Today

Published since 1997 - Australasian Leisure Management Magazine is your go-to resource for sports, recreation, and tourism. Enjoy exclusive insights, expert analysis, and the latest trends.

Mailed to you six times a year, for an annual subscription from just $99.

New Issue
Australasian Leisure Management
Online Newsletter

Get business and operations news for $12 a month - plus headlines emailed twice a week. Covering aquatics, attractions, entertainment, events, fitness, parks, recreation, sport, tourism, and venues.