Few venues are as closely tied to Australian sporting memory as the Aquatic Centre at Sydney Olympic Park. Opened in 1994 as the Sydney International Aquatic Centre, it hosted the swimming at Sydney 2000. Today it is known as Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre, or SOPAC, and anyone can swim there.
1994
Opened
Six years before the Games
17,000
Games capacity
With temporary seating
10,000
Seats today
Approximate
Public
Open to all
Entry fees apply
Building the centre
The Aquatic Centre was one of the first major venues completed at Homebush Bay, opening in 1994. Its early completion let it host competitions and test events well before the Games. For the Olympics, temporary stands were added to raise capacity to around 17,000.
The Games
During Sydney 2000, the centre hosted:
- Swimming, one of the most watched sports of the Games.
- Diving.
- Synchronised swimming.
- The water polo medal matches. Women's water polo made its Olympic debut in Sydney, and the Australian women's team won the first gold.
- The swimming leg of the modern pentathlon.
During the Paralympic Games, it hosted swimming.
Memorable nights
The swimming program delivered some of the most famous moments of the Games for Australians. Teenager Ian Thorpe won multiple gold medals, and the Australian men's 4x100 metres freestyle relay team beat the United States in a race that became part of Australian sporting folklore. Many world records were set in the pool over the week.
The centre today
SOPAC is a busy public aquatic centre, with:
- The competition pool used in 2000, plus training and leisure pools.
- A play area for children.
- Swimming lessons for all ages.
- A health and fitness club.
- A swim club run in partnership with the state swimming body.
It hosts many school swimming carnivals and state and national competitions. When a competition is on, public access to some pools may be limited, so check the schedule before you go.
Visiting
The Aquatic Centre is a short walk from Olympic Park station along Olympic Boulevard. Check the official website for opening hours, entry fees and pool availability, which change with the season and events.
Recent history
The centre has had a few dramatic moments since the Games. In 2013, a grass fire spread through the car park and destroyed dozens of cars. In 2024, a fire on the roof, linked to solar panels, caused an evacuation. The centre reopened and continues to operate.
Tips for swimmers
- Check the lane schedule online before you go.
- Bring a lock or coins for lockers, depending on facilities.
- Allow time for parking or walking from the station.
- Look for public viewing areas if you just want to see the Olympic pool.
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Nearby
- The Athletic Centre, the warm-up track in 2000, now used for athletics competition and training.
- Stadium Australia and Cathy Freeman Park.
- Bicentennial Park and the parklands.
Read our guide to Stadium Australia and the parklands.
Watching swimming at the Olympic pool
If you would like to watch competitive swimming in the pool where Sydney 2000 was raced, look for state and national championships and school carnival finals on the venue's event calendar. Entry to watch is often inexpensive or free for many school and club events, but check with the organiser.
The Athletic Centre next door
The Sydney Olympic Park Athletic Centre opened in 1994, the same year as the Aquatic Centre. During the Games it served as the warm-up track for athletes competing at Stadium Australia, connected by a tunnel. Today it hosts athletics competitions, school carnivals and community training, and anyone can watch a meet. The two venues together show how Sydney's early investment in world-class facilities allowed a long run of test events before the Games.
A venue for the community
Like many of the Sydney 2000 venues, the Aquatic Centre's long-term success depends on everyday use. Learn-to-swim classes, school programs, squad training, fitness classes and casual swimming bring thousands of people through the doors each week, keeping the Olympic pool part of community life rather than a museum piece.
Before you go
Opening hours, prices, programs and pool availability are set by the centre and can change through the year, particularly during school holidays and major competitions. Always check the official website or call ahead before making a special trip.
Frequently asked questions
Can I see the Olympic pool without swimming?
Public viewing areas and spectator seating can usually be accessed when events are not restricted. Ask at reception, or attend a competition to watch from the stands.
Is there parking at the Aquatic Centre?
Yes, there is paid parking nearby. On major event days at Sydney Olympic Park, parking can be limited, so public transport is often easier.
Can the public swim at the Sydney Olympic pool?
Yes. Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre is open to the public for swimming, with entry fees. Check opening hours and lane availability before you go.
When was the Aquatic Centre built?
It opened in 1994 as the Sydney International Aquatic Centre, ahead of the 2000 Games.
What events were held there at Sydney 2000?
Swimming, diving, synchronised swimming, the water polo medal matches and the swimming leg of the modern pentathlon.
How many spectators did it hold at the Games?
Temporary seating raised its capacity to about 17,000 for the Games. Its normal capacity is about 10,000.
Does the Aquatic Centre still host competitions?
Yes. It hosts school carnivals, state and national championships and other swimming events.
Sources and further reading
Facts on this page were checked against these primary and official sources. Conditions change — confirm before you travel or buy.
- Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre — Wikipedia
- SOPAC — Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre
- Swimming at the 2000 Summer Olympics — Wikipedia
- Swimming NSW — Swimming NSW
