The Opera House in numbers
The Sydney Opera House stands on Bennelong Point in Sydney, New South Wales, postcode 2000. It is not one opera house but a performing arts centre with several venues. The Gadigal people, the traditional custodians of the site, know the place as Tubowgule.
The numbers below are grouped by topic. Where two figures sound similar but measure different things, such as building area and World Heritage area, the text says so.
Key facts at a glance
The most asked numbers in one table.
| Topic | Fact |
|---|---|
| Architect | Jørn Utzon, Denmark; competition entry 218, announced 29 January 1957 |
| Construction start | 2 March 1959 |
| Opening | 20 October 1973, with Queen Elizabeth II |
| Height | Up to 65 m |
| Area covered by the building | About 1.8 hectares |
| Roof tiles | 1,056,006; each a 120 mm square |
| Final cost | AUD 102 million, against an original budget of AUD 7 million |
| World Heritage listing | 2007 |
| Pritzker Prize for Utzon | 2003 |
Opera House tours
See the numbers for yourself. Compare tours by length, language and price, with live availability.
Size and area: three different measures
The building reaches a height of up to 65 m and covers about 1.8 hectares. That is the footprint of the structure itself.
The World Heritage property is larger: 5.8 hectares. Around it lies a buffer zone of 438.1 hectares. These are different reference areas, so you cannot compare them with the building footprint. Neither number is wrong.
The three groups of interlocking vaulted shells cover the main halls and the restaurant. Learn how they work in our guide to the architecture.
Tiles, cost and dates
Historical amounts are nominal.
Tiles
The roof carries 1,056,006 tiles. Höganäs in Sweden developed the Sydney Tile: a 120 mm square made of clay with a small share of crushed stone. Altogether 4,228 tile chevrons were made.
Cost
The original budget was AUD 7 million and the final cost AUD 102 million. Special state lotteries paid for the building: 496 lotteries and 86.7 million tickets between 1957 and 1986. A cost estimate of 3.5 million pounds applied at the start of work in 1959.
Renewal
The Decade of Renewal cost close to AUD 300 million in total. It is not the price of the Concert Hall alone, which reopened on 20 July 2022. A further programme of AUD 120 million was announced on 4 August 2026.
History in brief
For the full sequence from competition to opening, read the history of the Opera House.
Venues under the shells
It is a complex of halls, not a single auditorium.
| Venue | What to know |
|---|---|
| Concert Hall | The concert venue; reopened to audiences on 20 July 2022 |
| Joan Sutherland Theatre | Home of Opera Australia, the Australian Ballet and Bangarra Dance Theatre; the second largest interior |
| Drama Theatre, Playhouse, Studio, Utzon Room | Further rooms for smaller events; check the actual venue when you buy a ticket |
Always check which venue your ticket is for. More on booking is in our tickets guide.
Visiting numbers: tours and tickets
Prices for 2026, in Australian dollars.
| Experience | Length | Adult price | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard tour | About 60 minutes | AUD 50 booked ahead, AUD 55 on the day | Up to 2.5 km and about 300 steps; children aged 5 to 15 pay less, under 5 free |
| Architectural Tour | About 75 minutes | AUD 60 booked ahead, AUD 65 on the day | English; stairs |
| Backstage Tour | 135 minutes, breakfast included | AUD 199 | Minimum age 10; up to 12 people; starts at 7:00 |
Prices rise on 1 April 2027. For details, see the Backstage Tour guide.
Visitor statistics for 2024/25
For the financial year that ended on 30 June 2025.
| Measure | Figure |
|---|---|
| Performances | 1,832 |
| Audience attendances | 1,438,000 |
| Tour participants | 457,525 |
| Unique website visitors | 10.2 million (online, not people on site) |
| Visits to the grounds | More than 10.9 million a year |
These are totals for 2024/25, not for calendar year 2026. They also measure different things: audiences at shows, people on tours and visits to the precinct are separate counts.
Opera House facts: frequently asked questions
How tall is the Sydney Opera House?
Up to 65 m. The building covers about 1.8 hectares.
How many tiles are on the roof?
There are 1,056,006 tiles, each a 120 mm square.
How much did the Opera House cost?
AUD 102 million at the end of construction, against an original budget of AUD 7 million. Special state lotteries financed it.
When was it added to the World Heritage List?
In 2007. The listing covers a property of 5.8 hectares with a buffer zone of 438.1 hectares.
How many people visit each year?
In the year to 30 June 2025 there were 1,438,000 audience attendances and 457,525 tour participants. More than 10.9 million visits to the grounds are reported each year.