ANZ Stadium (formerly Telstra Stadium) forms the centrepiece of the Olympic Park complex at Homebush Bay, Sydney. Seating 110,000 people, the stadium is the largest in Olympic history and provides new levels of comfort, safety and amenity.

The Stadium consists of two permanent grandstands, east and west, with some 30,000 seats on each side sheltered under the semi-circle of the doubly-curved polycarbonate roof, the front edges of which are defined by distinctive arched steel trusses.

A further 25,000 temporary seats are provided by each of the stands at the north and south ends of the arena which sweep up and out in a wedge shape, boosting seating capacity to the Games maximum of 110,00. After the Olympics, and the Paralympics which followed the Games, the upper tier of the temporary stands will be removed and the lower seating bowl will move in 15m to a new position for football usage over the long term.

The removal of the end stands will allow the completion of the hyperbolic paraboloid roof, with ‘end' roofs installed between the main trusses, and seating capacity reduced to the ‘normal mode' commercial optimum of 80,000.

The stadium is defined at each corner by distinctive spiral egress towers which frame the principal elevations. Spectator entry is made under welcoming awnings, via broad forecourts, complemented by the Olympic boulevard with its sculptural light towers, the ‘urban forest' landscaping and public art installations.

While the huge capacity of Telstra Stadium is an important design solution, it is just one of a range of innovations that have helped to make the venue aesthetically robust, ecologically sensitive and user-and-owner friendly.

The stadium makes extensive use of natural ventilation and lighting to the concourse areas, with giant air shafts in the body of the tiers generating natural convection air currents deep in the building. All roof water is collected and stored in four giant tanks to irrigate the pitch and supplement water supply to the public facilities, with dual water systems recycled for sanitary flushing. The building has been constructed from materials that are free of PVC and have low embodied energy ratings. There are two gas cogeneration plants, supplementing hot water systems.

Telstra Stadium was designed by Bligh Lobb Sports Architecture, a joint venture between Bligh Voller Nield and Lobb Partnership.

Awards

2003 Gold Medal IOC/IAKS Award
2000 BHP Australian Steel Award
2000 World Architecture Awards Finalist
1999 AISC Architectural Steel Design Award, High Commendation
1999 Bradfield Award for Engineering Excellence
1999 Concrete Institute of Australia Award for Excellence
1999 National Master Builders Association Award – Energy Efficient
1999 National Master Builders Association Award – Sporting Facility over AUD $50million