Sydney’s Accor Stadium lights up ahead of State of Origin game 1

The near capacity crowd attending State of Origin I at Sydney’s Accor Stadium tomorrow night is set to be dazzled by the installation of new sports and entertainment field lighting that will transform the venue’s event-day experience. 

Venues NSW Chief Executive Kerrie Mather switched on the  new lights for the first time at Accor Stadium’s Annual Members’ Dinner on Thursday night, attended by more than 300 members and guests. 

Installed by Stowe Australia, whose other major light projects include CommBank Stadium in Western Sydney, Optus Stadium in Perth and the MCG, the Accor Stadium project has connected 436 lights above the stadium roof line to create theatrical-style atmosphere at upcoming events.

The new lights double the on-field lighting capacity with a 34% reduction in power output, continuing the environmental initiatives implemented at the stadium, which opened in 1999 as a model of green, functional, cost-effective design and is still regarded as one of the most environmentally sustainable stadia in the world.  

Advising that the enhancements to the customer experience at Accor Stadium were a significant part of attracting major events, NSW Minister for Tourism and Sport, Stuart Ayres advised

“Accor Stadium’s new sports and entertainment field lighting is a fantastic addition and part of a number of recent fan-focused upgrades at Sydney’s Olympic venue.

“The event experience for spectators has been greatly enhanced at Accor Stadium by these recent upgrades, including the Great Southern Screen, the longest straight-run videoboard in the Southern Hemisphere, which we saw in action last week as more than 70,000 fans watched FC Barcelona’s historic first match in Australia.

“We have some of the biggest events in world sport and entertainment coming up at Accor Stadium, including the opening game of the State of Origin series, global acts Guns ‘N Roses, Ed Sheeran and Harry Styles, and of course the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2023.”

Mather added “as we look forward to hosting major national and international events, like the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, these upgrades at NSW’s largest capacity stadium are important to make sure the spectator experience matches the world-class action on the field.

“We will continue to invest in the fan-experience across our network, which includes Accor Stadium, Sydney Cricket Ground, the new Allianz Stadium, CommBank Stadium, McDonald Jones Stadium and Newcastle Entertainment Centre and WIN Stadium and Entertainment Centre in Wollongong, and deliver the best events to communities across NSW.”  

The new lighting complements the Great Southern Screen and other fan-focused upgrades at the Stadium.

Images: Accor Stadium's new field lighting (top) and guests at last Thursday's Annual Members’ Dinner (below). Credit: VenuesLive.