Accor Stadium lights up for State of Origin
The sold-out crowd attending the State of Origin series opener at Accor Stadium on Wednesday night will experience new field lighting that’s set to transform the fan experience at the venue.
The installation of new sports and entertainment LED field lighting was recently completed at Sydney’s Olympic stadium and turned on for the first time at the venue’s annual Members’ Dinner last Thursday.
Installed by Stowe Australia, the Accor Stadium project has connected 436 lights above the stadium roof line to create theatrical-style atmosphere at upcoming events. Other major light projects by Stowe include CommBank Stadium, Optus Stadium and the MCG.
The new lights double the on-field lighting capacity with a 34 per cent 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.
NSW Minister for Tourism & Sport Stuart Ayres said recent enhancements to the fan experience at Accor Stadium were integral to ensuring Sydney continues to attract major events.
“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,” Mr Ayres said.
“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.”
Venues NSW CEO Kerrie 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.”
Accor Stadium hosts Game 1 of the 2022 State of Origin series on Wednesday night, with tickets now sold-out and a capacity crowd of 80,000 expected for the clash between New South Wales and Queensland.
