The Bankwest experience-The appearance - inside and out

The view of the stadium upon approach is magnificent, with the LED panel on the front displaying gate information upon entry, and images of the winning team when we left.  The stadium foreground included some outdoor gym equipment and basketball courts, and there were some food stalls and a DJ set up, all of which created a real buzz. The lighting panels inside and out of the stadium are reminiscent of what you see at modern venues in the US and in particular, the internal ones are crystal clear and really effective.  These mainly featured advertisements and were also used for the pre-game fire-up and game-winning celebrations as they featured the words to the Eels victory song "Click go the Eels" as well as a wriggling Eel which drew more than a few smirks from the crowd.

The Bankwest experience-Atmosphere during the game

Supporting the home team in the first game at a new home was always going to raise the hairs on the back of my neck. The scoreline made the day something special.  When Michael Cronin raised the Blue and Gold Army flag, and when the national anthem was performed, the closeness of the crowd definitely fostered a tribal atmosphere. I'd love to see a Pacific Test at this venue.

The Bankwest experience-Bathrooms, drink, food, prices, waiting times

Bathrooms, drink, food, prices, waiting times- Before and during the game, the bars and food service areas were always busy. Despite the queues, we didn't have to wait long. The half-time test of whether you are able to visit the bathroom, buy a drink and get back to your seat in time for the start of the second half was undertaken and passed easily.

The Bankwest experience-View from my seats

View from my seats - Having been a ticketed member at the old Parramatta Stadium, my friends and I have indulged in Gold category season tickets. These placed us 11 rows back (as shown in the picture at the top of this article) on the second elevation. Much has been said about how close you are to the action. That is all true. We had a better-than-TV view of the game and the proximity to the action was brilliant, especially given the many moments of celebration you enjoy when your team delivers a 51-6 drubbing. 

The Bankwest experience-Getting to the stadium

Getting to the stadium-Given that I was taking my four-year-old son Oliver to the game, the idea of public transport wasn't appealing so I drove to the game. Despite warnings from the Eels membership team regarding how limited parking was at the leagues club, I  approached with my perpetual membership card in hand. It was full.