Shaded Seats at CommBank Stadium

CommBank Stadium is one of Sydney’s premier rectangular sports venues. Located West of Sydney on the Parramatta River, it’s known for steep stands that put fans close to the on-field action. Sydney’s summers get hot and sunny, and even though most seats are covered, the sun’s angle matters for afternoon kickoffs. Fans can use this guide along with the stadium seating map to find the best shaded seats at CommBank Stadium.

Where Are the Seats in the Shade and Sun at CommBank Stadium?

As a general rule, the seats in the shade at CommBank Stadium are:

• North End: Shaded from afternoon through evening
• West Sideline: Shaded by mid-afternoon and in the evening
• Under Cover: Shaded in upper rows behind the goals

And the seats in the sun at CommBank Stadium are mainly:

• East Sideline: Sunny especially in the lower-level
• South End: Sun soaked at field-level

Shade shifts with season, cloud cover, and kickoff time. If you’re sun-sensitive, prioritize rows tucked under the roof/overhang or on the west side for afternoon matches.

CommBank Stadium Orientation to the Sun

The stadium’s slightly off-axis north-to-south orientation means the sun is highest in the sky in the 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM hour. Over the course of the afternoon the sun sinks behind the west side and sets toward the southwest.

The graphic below shows the approximate hour-by-hour position of the sun throughout the day on January 1st.

Click or tap to see a seating map for CommBank Stadium

Seats in the Sun and Shade at Afternoon CommBank Stadium Matches

CommBank Stadium is a rectangular venue with seating on all four sides. Premium seating is concentrated on the west sideline, with standard seating on the east. A large roof extends toward the pitch over all sides and provides direct cover for virtually all seats below. That’s great on a rainy Sydney day, but on a bright one the shifting sun means some sections get more shade than others.

Most matches at CommBank Stadium are set for late afternoon or early evening, but occasional games kick off around lunchtime. For these early starts, seats at the north end are best positioned for early shade. Sections 121-128 and 221-228 sit under the roof and are well protected.

By 3:00 PM the sun sits to the west. Premium seats and suites on the west sideline are comfortably shaded. The only west sideline seats likely to catch sun at this hour are at pitch level. Even if they start in the sun, fans will have the sun at their back and, as the match goes on, the shade line usually moves over them. On the east side, the upper rows of sections 210-220 are generally shaded by the roof, but as the afternoon progresses the sun reaches more rows, and even the roof won’t protect every seat.

The sunniest seats are on the lower east sideline, especially sections 111-120, where rays come through the stadium opening. In sections 210-220, the roof provides shade early in the afternoon, but later more seats move into the sun’s path, starting with the lower rows and moving upward. Behind the south end, sections 101-108 and 202-209 get sun for parts of the afternoon. If you’re seeking out shade behind the goals, pick the north end over the south.

By the middle of the afternoon, lower-level seats on the east and south sides of the stadium are sunny, while the west and north sides are fully shaded.
Credit: Macktheknifeau (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Seats in the Sun and Shade at Evening CommBank Stadium Matches

By early evening, the entire west sideline and the areas behind both the north and south ends are in the shade. On the east sideline, sections 111-120 and 210-220 stay sunny until the sun drops low enough to be blocked by the opposite stand. During the longest days of the Aussie summer, every row all the way to the back rows of sections 210-220 can cop a blast of sun before sunset. Once the shade line has crossed the pitch, the sun angles directly toward these seats so bring your best sunnies unless it’s a cloudy day.

Ready to get your CommBank Stadium tickets?

Use the individual game links or click or tap here to see an upcoming list of games at CommBank Stadium.