While Optus Stadium is one of many stadium projects Nilsen have been involved with over the last century, it is the most innovative and technologically advanced stadium Nilsen have delivered to date.

During peak periods, Nilsen had 160 staff on site split across four quadrants with each area having its own leadership team. The project took Nilsen almost three years to complete for our customer Multiplex, who completed the project ahead of time for the Western Australia State Government.

KEY PROJECT STATS

• Latest LED lighting technology across 17,734 x internal lights, 672 x arbour lights, 485 x precinct lights and 2,756 emergency lights
• 887 x Sports lights with 28 different lighting modes
• 600 x Halo lights and 1,700 metres of Facade lighting for the pitch
• 17 x 1.5 tonne speaker arrays
• 519,000 metres of small light and power cabling
• Switchboards manufactured in-house by Nilsen Switchboards
• 1,100 x Wireless Access Points delivering 20-40mbps data speed for patrons
• 600 x CCTV Outlets
• 150 x MCR and FCR Cabinets
• 80 x Satellite Cabinets
• 880,000 metres of Cat6A cable
• 425,000 metres of Fibre

The aiming of the Sports Lights alone took two weeks to ensure they met the exacting sporting code requirements for AFL, Cricket, Rugby Union, Rugby League and FIFA as well as an array of training and event modes. Conformation of playing surface lux levels took a further three weeks of night shift.

The Stadium opened to the public in January 2018 and in November the same year, Nilsen received the National Electrical & Communications Association (NECA) Best National Large Commercial Project award for the project.

Nilsen have a long and proud history with the MCG and the AFL in Melbourne and it is fitting this Nilsen legacy continues in 2021 with the AFL Grand Final to be held at Optus Stadium. This year will be different; being played outside of Melbourne and being played at twilight for only the second time in over 120 years.

AFL executive general manager of clubs and broadcasting Travis Auld said the decision to play the game at night was also made to help take advantage of Perth Stadium’s light display. The 5:15pm AWST/7:15pm AEST start time will indeed provide fans with the ultimate grand final experience by maximising the stadium’s offering.

If you are one of the millions of people watching the game on September 25, we hope you enjoy the visually spectacular lighting experience. We consider Optus Stadium a triumph for Nilsen and the project delivery team and cannot wait to see the stadium showcased at the 2021 AFL Grand Final.