West Coast - Gold Coast: Optus Stadium chief’s message to footy fans ahead of Eagles’ season opener on Sunday

A West Coast home game against the Gold Coast Suns on Sunday is set to bring big crowds back to Optus Stadium for the first time since WA’s historic Grand Final. Optus Stadium chief executive Mike McKenna welcomed the return of large crowds to the venue after successfully hosting last year’s AFL Grand Final, which was the first time the decider was held in Perth, with more than 60,000 attending. However, with Level 2 restrictions in place, only 30,000 fans will be allowed in on Sunday, a small crowd compared to 72,000 that watched Carlton beat Richmond in a season opener for the first time in a decade. Mr McKenna said COVID-safe entry processes had been tested with a few smaller events over the past few months. “And we’ve been working with other venues to ensure we put in place processes to keep crowds moving through the gates as smoothly as possible,” he said. He urged fans to prepare before they get to the gates. “Simple things like downloading your ticket on your phone and checking it before you arrive to ensure it’s loaded and ready to show to gate staff can save a lot of time when tens of thousands of people are coming through.” Fans are also urged to allow more time to show their proof of vaccination status and remember to bring an approved form of ID if they plan to show a hard copy vaccination certificate. “We also need all fans to be aware that under the Level 2 public health restrictions they must be seated to consume food and beverage and wear a mask at all times, unless eating or drinking, or exempt,” Mr McKenna said. Free rapid antigen tests will also be handed out under the second phase of the state government’s rollout program.