Perth Stadium rises on the banks of the Swan River in Burswood, Western Australia, its lightweight membrane roof visible for miles across the flat river plain. Opened to the public in January 2018 after a A$1.6 billion build, it quickly became the home ground for both the West Coast Eagles and Fremantle Dockers, giving Perth’s AFL rivalry a shared, purpose-built stage.
Known commercially as Optus Stadium under a naming-rights deal signed with the telecom in 2017, the venue is officially registered as Perth Stadium and reverts to that name for international cricket matches at Cricket Australia’s insistence. With a seating capacity above 61,000 that can stretch toward 75,000 for concerts, it ranks as Australia’s third-largest stadium and has hosted everything from Ashes cricket to a record-setting Ed Sheeran show.
Stats at a Glance
- Team(s): West Coast Eagles & Fremantle Dockers (AFL), Perth Scorchers (cricket)
- Location: Burswood, Western Australia
- Opened: January 21, 2018
- Capacity: About 61,266 (up to 75,000 for concerts)
- Cost: About A$1.6 billion
- Notable fact: Hosted the 2021 AFL Grand Final after Victoria’s COVID-19 lockdown forced a relocation
A Home Ground Built for Rivalry
Before Perth Stadium opened, the West Coast Eagles and Fremantle Dockers had long shared Subiaco Oval (known in its later years as Domain Stadium) as their AFL home ground, the Eagles since 1987 and the Dockers since joining the league in 1995. Moving both clubs into the new 61,000-seat bowl at Burswood in 2018 gave the annual ‘Western Derby’ a bigger, purpose-built stage than Subiaco’s roughly 43,000-seat capacity ever allowed.
The stadium’s roof, covering about 85 percent of seats with a lightweight textile membrane, was designed to shield Perth’s famously sun-drenched crowds while keeping sightlines close to the action. Its AFL-configured playing surface measures roughly 165 by 130 metres, among the larger ovals in the league.
From Cricket Tests to Chart-Topping Concerts
Perth Stadium replaced the historic WACA Ground as the city’s premier cricket venue starting in 2018, hosting Test matches, Ashes cricket, and the Perth Scorchers’ Big Bash League fixtures. For these international matches, Cricket Australia requires the venue to be billed under its official ‘Perth Stadium’ name rather than the sponsored ‘Optus Stadium’ branding.
The venue’s flexible bowl also made it a magnet for major touring acts, and its attendance record still belongs to Ed Sheeran, who packed in 73,092 fans in March 2023. That combination of elite sport and blockbuster entertainment has made the stadium one of the busiest multi-purpose venues in the Southern Hemisphere.
Explore more: Explore more of the world’s biggest stadiums.
Perth Stadium FAQs
Is it called Perth Stadium or Optus Stadium?
Both. Perth Stadium is the official name, while Optus Stadium is the commercial name used under a naming-rights deal signed with the telecom company in 2017. International cricket matches use the ‘Perth Stadium’ name at Cricket Australia’s request.
What is the capacity of Perth Stadium?
The stadium seats about 61,266 for AFL and cricket, with configurations extending to around 65,000 for rectangular sports and up to roughly 75,000 for large concerts.
Why did Perth Stadium host the 2021 AFL Grand Final?
The AFL relocated its 2021 Grand Final to Perth Stadium after a COVID-19 lockdown in Victoria made it impossible to hold the match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground as originally planned.
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Photo: Bahnfrend / CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.