Shaded Seats at Optus Stadium
Optus Stadium is one of Perth’s major multi-purpose venues. Set on the Burswood Peninsula along the Swan River, it hosts AFL, cricket, and major events in a large oval bowl with a donut shaped roof. Perth’s summers are hot and sunny, so the position of the sun is an important factor for afternoon matches and evening events. Fans can use this guide with the stadium seating chart to locate the best shaded seats at Optus Stadium.
Where Are the Seats in the Shade and Sun at Optus Stadium?
As a general rule, the seats in the shade at Optus Stadium depend on the time of day:
- Morning: Shaded on the east and north sides of the stadium
- Early Afternoon: Shaded on the north and west sides of the stadium
- Late Afternoon: Shaded on the west side of the stadium
- Evening: Shaded on the west, north and south sides of the stadium
Shade always changes with the season, clouds, and start of play. Test matches at Optus Stadium start as early as 10:20 AM, which means seats in the shade during the first ball may be in the path of the sun later and vice versa. For shade seekers, the best bet is to choose a seat that will be shaded for a large portion of the day, and bring quality sun protection for the other hours.
Optus Stadium Orientation to the Sun
The pitch at Optus Stadium is oriented north-to-south with the video boards located on the east and west. The sun rises in the east, tracks across the northern sky and dips toward the western horizon. For a test match, this means the east side is shaded for the morning session. After the lunch break, the west side is more favorable to shade while the east starts to become increasingly sunny.
The graphic below shows the approximate hour-by-hour position of the sun throughout the day on January 1st.
Where to Buy Tickets
For most events at Optus Stadium, Ticketmaster is the official and authorised ticketing agency. A small number of special events may use a different authorised ticketing partner named in the Optus Stadium What’s On guide.
Navigating the Optus Stadium Seating Map
Optus Stadium is one of Australia’s largest stadiums. Unlike similarly sized venues on the east coast, Optus uses one continuous bowl rather than multiple distinct stands.
On the seating map, each bay has a three-digit number:
- 100s = Level 1 (lower bowl)
- 200s = Level 2 suites and boxes (middle tier)
- 300s = Level 3 (middle tier)
- 500s = Level 5 (top tier)
Within a bay, rows start low at the front and count up as you move back. Seat numbers generally start at 1 and increase across each row.
Bay numbering starts in the southeast corner with Bays 101, 301 and 501. Numbers then increase sequentially in an anti-clockwise rotation around the pitch, ending back in the south-east with Bays 150, 354 and 550.
Optus Stadium Shade During Morning Sessions (approximately 10:20 AM – 12:20 PM)
First ball at a Test at Optus Stadium is usually 10.20 AM. At this hour, shade seekers will be happiest on the east and north sides. Bays 105-118, 305-310 and 506-518 provide morning shade. 500-level seats are mostly under cover and stay shaded into the afternoon, while seats closer to the action become sunny as the day goes on.
Optus Stadium Shade During Afternoon Sessions (approximately 12:50 PM – 2:50 PM)
By lunch, the sun is near its highest point; when the afternoon session begins, it’s almost directly overhead. The large circular roof at Optus provides shade for those seated below. During the afternoon session, most 500-level seats, as well as many 300-level seats, are under cover and shaded. Seats at the front of 100-level bays are uncovered and many are sunny. Fans in Bays 110-125 are best positioned for shade at this hour, while those across the pitch in Bays 137-150 are more likely to be in the sun’s path.
Early in the afternoon, upper-tier bays are shade as the roof provides cover from the sun which is directly above.
Photo by Graham Conaty/Speed Media/Icon Sportswire
Optus Stadium Shade During Evening Sessions (approximately 3:20 PM – 5:20 PM)
After tea, shade consolidates on the west side. Seats in Bays 120-140, 326-340 and 520-540 are shaded in all rows as the sun dips and the roof casts a longer shadow toward the pitch. Seats that were shaded in the morning are sunny again. The sunniest seats are on the east side at field level in Bays 105-118.
Later in the afternoon, bays on the west side of the stadium are shaded as the sun dips and the stadium casts a shadow toward the pitch.
Photo by Graham Conaty/Speed Media/Icon Sportswire
Optus Stadium Shade During Events Starting After 6:00 PM
T20s, concerts and other events often start in the evening under lights. At this hour, shade is concentrated on the west side: Bays 117-144, 326-346 and 517-544 are shaded in all rows. The combination of the roof plus the low western sun protects fans in these areas.
As the sun continues to set, the sunniest seats are on the east side. The sun points directly at Bays 101-110 and 301-310. Even Bays 501-510 aren’t entirely safe from a blast of late-day sun as the low angle can render the roof less effective right before sunset.
Ready to get your Optus Stadium tickets?
Use the individual game links or click or tap here to see an upcoming list of events at Optus Stadium.
Upcoming Optus Stadium Events
Where to Buy Tickets
For most events at Optus Stadium, Ticketmaster is the official and authorised ticketing agency. A small number of special events may use a different authorised ticketing partner named in the Optus Stadium What’s On guide.
Stay Safe in the Aussie Sun
