Perth’s Optus Stadium becomes Australia’s first ‘smart’ arena, ‘revolutionising’ live sport and entertainment

Australia’s first 5G smart stadium is being launched tomorrow and it’s right here in Perth. Optus Stadium, in conjunction with Venues Live, has confirmed that fans, players and artists can have access to one of the world's first 5G stadiums. For punters it means faster downloads, 3D tours of the stadium right at your seat and augmented reality that lets fans interact with game play and concerts. Optus chief executive Kelly Bayer Rosmarin said this initiative will be transformative for fans and players alike. “This next generation technology has the potential to revolutionise the way sport and live entertainment is enjoyed,” Ms Rosmarin said. Some 60,000 fans will have access to the 5G network across the stadium —meaning patrons can connect, stream and download uninterrupted. Optus Stadium chief executive Mike McKenna said this “fans first” philosophy will mean an even better stadium experience for fans. “A 60,000-people demand on the network is high, but 5G allows for everyone to enjoy fast speeds on a faster network,” Mr McKenna said. Mr McKenna went on to say this Australian-first initiative is a part of future plans that will incorporate augmented reality. Fans — through an Optus App — will be able to join game play at the crease or in the midfield, and even take the perspective of a drummer on stage during a concert. Fans can also order food and beverages from the app right to their seat.