CommBank Stadium

The seating bowl brings spectators as close as possible to the field of play while also providing the best viewing quality. The 360-degree continuous bowl, which is at the steepest permissible angle, totally encloses the field of play with a wall of fans. When combined with the specially-designed roof, where fabric is mounted on the underside of the structure, these features enhance the acoustics, heighten the intensity and create a great atmosphere.

For the first time in Australia, there are convertible safe standing positions in the North Stand. This provides standing positions for the active home football fan during the season, and converts to seats for rugby fans in winter.

Inspired by Sydney’s great climate and the spectator experience, the interior materials and finishes of CommBank Stadium were based on an Australian backyard summer, evoking an entertaining, suburban context within the stadium.

The concourse and kiosk draw inspiration from a ‘backyard summer’ with grand open spaces in a robust, natural material palette contrasting against a striking charcoal blockwork. Permeable facades of timber-look slat screens draw the patron’s eye to the parkland vistas and city skyline surrounding the stadium.

The social lounges and premium function rooms are themed ‘veranda life’ with generous bowl side terraces along with multiple configurations of entertaining spaces that adapt to different football codes and events, a first for an Australian stadium.

The finishes in the corporate boxes and suites are based on ‘summer refinement’ with a herringbone patterned carpet, blonde timber joinery and bronze anodized-look façade at the entries.

The Director’s lounge draws on a ‘modern country house’ interior theme with blonde timber finishes, a larger open terrace, a la carte kitchen and the best seats in the house, all ensuring a premium corporate hospitality experience.

The lobbies, pre-function, back of house and player areas allow for neutral tones to give flexibility and identity to the spaces depending on the team colors or special events occurring in the stadium.

In the seating bowl of the stadium, the speckled grading seat pattern starts dark at the field line and grades to light at the top to help lift the eye to the roofline.

As the ‘People’s Venue,’ the journey to and from CommBank Stadium is ultimately about the fan. No matter if you are attending a sporting event, a function, using the facilities for training, staff working within it or simply walking through the parkland.

The approach to the wayfinding strategy ensured Populous delivered the best live sport experience in Australia, creating an enjoyable environment to maximize engagement so the experience is part of the show.

The wayfinding services on CommBank Stadium extended across ticket design to stadium circulation, entrance gates, concourse and digital signage, aisle identification, food and beverage banners, seat naming, numbering and directional signage to premium event spaces and lobbies.

The design intent for the primary level directional signage is taken from the steel structure of the stadium, providing a strong identification for patrons. Signs are double-sided with digital screens to support wayfinding on entry while promoting upcoming event messages on exit.

Wayfinding signage is important at all of these points to assist people in finding their destination, additionally while the stadium is under maximum use during large international games, where temporary wayfinding is also incorporated into event overlay.