Optus Stadium's Free Open Day Draws Nearly 70,000, Well Below Expected 110,000

Optus Stadium’s bumper open day "drew fewer than 70,000 people, well below the 110,000 crowd expected for the free event," according to Dylan Caporn of PERTH NOW. A spokesperson for the venue said that the event had been a "tremendous success" with positive feedback from the crowd. The spokesperson said, "We were very happy with the 69,028 people who used their free tickets to enjoy access throughout the Stadium and Stadium Park." WA Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said that 90% of people who attended the event "used public transport" (PERTH NOW, 1/22). In Perth, Adshead & Robinson reported free A$10 ($8) food vouchers "are on offer" to the first 15,000 people through the gates of Optus Stadium before 3pm to watch the Perth Scorchers' home Big Bash League semifinal next Thursday. The incentive was announced on Monday "as the Government lifted its much-ridiculed 40,000 spectator cap for the historic match." Saffioti said, "There will be no cap on the Scorchers semifinal" (THE WEST AUSTRALIAN, 1/22).