Perth Arena Explained

Logo Image:Logo of Perth Arena.png
Mapframe-Marker:music
Mapframe-Marker-Colour:
  1. BE1596
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  1. C60C30
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Address:700 Wellington Street, Perth
Location:Western Australia
Former Names:Perth Arena (2012–2018)
Broke Ground:June 2007
Opened:[1]
Owner:VenuesWest
Operator:AEG Ogden
Cost:A$548.7 million[2] [3]
Architect:ARM & CCN
Project Manager:Appian Group
Builder:WSP
Structural Engineer:Aurecon
Services Engineer:Wood & Grieve Engineers
General Contractor:BGC
Main Contractors:Buss Construction
Capacity:[4]

Perth Arena (known commercially as )[5] is an entertainment and sporting arena in the city centre of Perth, Western Australia, used mostly for basketball matches. It is located on Wellington Street near the site of the former Perth Entertainment Centre, and was officially opened on 10 November 2012. Perth Arena was the first stage of the Perth City Link, a 13.5ha major urban renewal and redevelopment project which involved the sinking of the Eastern Railway to link the Perth central business district directly with Northbridge.[6]

Anchor tenants of Perth Arena include the Perth Wildcats,[7] West Coast Fever, and until 2019, the Hopman Cup.[8]

History

Perth Arena is owned by VenuesWest (which operates the Perth High Performance Centre, Arena Joondalup, WA Basketball Centre, and others) on behalf of The Government of Western Australia and has been managed by Legends Global since opening.[9] From July 2026, VenuesWest will also assume management of the facility.[10]

The inaugural General Manager of Perth Arena was David Humphreys, former General Manager of the Perth Entertainment Centre and the Sydney SuperDome.[11] Humphreys died two months before the venue's opening.[12] AEG Ogden announced Steve Hevern as the interim General Manager on 3 October 2012.[13]

Design and construction

The tender for the project was won by Western Australian construction consortium BGC, and work commenced on the site in June 2007. The arena was jointly designed by architectural firms Ashton Raggatt McDougall and Cameron Chisholm Nicol. With its design based on the Eternity puzzle, the venue holds up to 13,910 spectators for tennis events,[14] 14,846 for basketball (the arena's capacity is capped at 13,000 for National Basketball League regular season games)[15] and a maximum of 15,000 for music or rock concerts. The venue has a retractable roof, 36 luxury appointed corporate suites, a 680-bay underground car park, 5 dedicated function spaces, and touring trucks can drive directly onto the arena floor.[16]

The construction was marred by controversy in relation to the cost and time blowouts from the original $150 million estimate to $550 million. Auditor General Colin Murphy reported in 2010 that "the initial estimates of the cost and opening date for the Arena were unrealistic and made before the project was well understood or defined."[17] An example of the modifications to the original Arena design is the change of the carpark location from being built above the nearby railway line as a separate project to underneath the Arena itself.

Naming rights

For the first six years of operation, Perth Arena retained its non-commercial name. In September 2018, the venue name was changed to RAC Arena. The Royal Automobile Club of Western Australia (RAC) agreed to a five-year naming rights arrangement, with the deal estimated to be worth about $10 million to the Government of Western Australia.[18] Prior to the name change, the Government of Western Australia had paid around $8 million to stadium operator AEG Ogden as compensation for not being able to sell the naming rights.[18]

Entertainment

On 8 and 9 November 2013, the American musician Beyoncé played 2 sold-out shows there to conclude the Oceania leg of her world tour, The Mrs Carter Show World Tour.

On August 20 2014, Lady Gaga performed at the arena for her

On 29 October and 1 November 2014, The Rolling Stones played two sold out nights at the venue on their first visit to Perth since 1995.

On 14 March 2015, Australian singer Kylie Minogue performed at the arena as part of her Kiss Me Once Tour. On 15 February 2025, she returned for a stop on her Tension Tour.

On 4 August 2018, French Canadian singer Celine Dion performed at the arena for the first time, as a part of Celine Dion Live 2018. This was the first show by Dion, since her Taking Chances World Tour, to be held in Perth.

On 12 October 2018, American singer-actress Cher performed for the first time at the Arena as part of her Here We Go Again Tour.

In 2022, it was announced that Perth Arena would be the new host for the Channel Seven Perth Telethon.[19]

On 29 and 30 September 2022, the American singer-songwriter Billie Eilish performed her final two dates in Australia during her tour, .

On 25 October 2023, Irish folk-rock band The Corrs performed at the arena as part of their 2023 tour of Australasia and Southeast Asia.[20] The group was supported by Australian pop icon Natalie Imbruglia, as well as Toni Childs and Germein.

Sports

Basketball

Perth Arena hosted its first National Basketball League game on 16 November 2012 when the Perth Wildcats played (and lost) against the Adelaide 36ers in front of a crowd of 11,562.[21] The attendance was the largest recorded in Western Australia for an indoor event,[22] [23] breaking the previous record of 8,501 set at the Burswood Dome in 2004.[24] The arena has since hosted larger crowds, with the current record being 13,661 set in December 2025.[25]

With a capacity of 14,846, Perth Arena is the second-largest venue currently in use in the NBL (2016–17) behind the Sydney SuperDome (18,200). The arena is also the third largest venue ever used in the NBL behind Sydney and the Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne (15,400).

In 2024, Perth Arena became the grand final host venue of the NBL1 West.[26] [27]

Tennis

On 2 January 2019, a record crowd of 14,064 attended the venue for the 2019 Hopman Cup match between United States and Switzerland.[28] This was also the highest attendance for a tennis match in Western Australian history. The stadium hosted the Hopman Cup until the tournament switched to using different host countries after 2019. It was chosen by Tennis Australia to host the 2019 Fed Cup Final between Australia and France.[29] In 2020 the arena was one of three Australian venues to host ties in the multi-nation ATP Cup tournament. Since 2022 it has been one of three venues to host the multi-nation mixed-team United Cup tournament.[30]

Boxing

George Kambosos and Vasily Lomachenko fought for the vacant IBF lightweight title, and Kambosos' IBO title, at Perth Arena on 12 May 2024. Lomachenko was crowned the new unified champion by eleventh round technical knockout.

Mixed martial arts

The UFC hosted UFC 221: Romero vs. Rockhold at Perth Arena on February 11, 2018.[31] The promotion returned to the arena five years later for UFC 284: Makhachev vs. Volkanovski on February 12, 2023.[32] The UFC held UFC 305: du Plessis vs. Adesanya at Perth Arena on August 18, 2024.[33] The arena hosted on September 28, 2025.[34]

Netball

Netball was first played at the arena on 27 April 2013, when home team the West Coast Fever lost 49–58 to the Melbourne Vixens in the ANZ Championship. The Fever has continued to play occasional matches at the venue over the years, sharing fixtures with the smaller Perth High Performance Centre. Ahead of the 2018 season, the club shifted all home matches to Perth Arena. The crowd of 13,722 at the 2018 Super Netball Grand Final was a domestic-league record.[35]

The first international netball test was played at Perth Arena on 30 October 2015 between Australia and New Zealand in the final test of the Constellation Cup.[36]

Professional wrestling

American professional wrestling company WWE hosted their premium event Crown Jewel: Perth at the arena on 11 October 2025.[37] The venue also hosted Friday Night SmackDown on 10 October 2025 and Monday Night Raw on 13 October 2025. Crown Jewel was attended by 13,683 spectators, with the combined attendance total for all three events announced to be 40,503.[38]

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: First look inside Perth Arena. 2012-03-08. The West Australian. 11 March 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120311054834/https://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/wa/13115823/first-look-inside-perth-arena. dead.
  2. Web site: Govt settles BGC arena row. 2011-12-28. The West Australian. 27 December 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20131227232050/https://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/newshome/12464088/govt-settles-bgc-arena-row/. dead.
  3. Web site: Perth Arena price tag nears $550m. 28 December 2011. 28 December 2011. PerthNow. 14 February 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120214035004/https://www.perthnow.com.au/business/business-old/perth-arena-price-tag-nears-550m/story-e6frg2qu-1226231830772. live.
  4. Web site: About the Tournament. 4 January 2018. 28 October 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211028154829/https://hopmancup.com/event-guide/about-the-tournament/. dead.
  5. Web site: RAC Arena. 6 March 2019. 15 February 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220215090600/https://www.venueswest.wa.gov.au/venues/rac-arena/. live.
  6. Web site: Perth City Link: Reconnecting the City. 2012-05-03. Metropolitan Redevelopment Authority. 28 October 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141028180114/http://www.mra.wa.gov.au/Projects/Perth-City-Link/About-the-Project/. dead.
  7. Web site: Wildcats owner says Perth Arena will change basketball. 20 April 2011. 2011-04-20. PerthNow. 27 August 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20110827133427/http://www.perthnow.com.au/news/western-australia/wildcats-owner-says-perth-arena-will-change-basketball/story-e6frg13u-1226042427573. live.
  8. Web site: Perth Arena to ensure Hopman Cup stays in WA. 20 April 2010. 2011-04-20. WA Today. 4 January 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140104100402/http://www.watoday.com.au/wa-news/perth-arena-to-ensure-hopman-cup-stays-in-wa-20100420-srev.html. live.
  9. Web site: VenuesWest Media Release. 2011-08-17. VenuesWest. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20120326104621/http://www.venueswest.wa.gov.au/cproot/1061/3/Media%20release%20-%20AEG%20Ogden%20Signing.pdf. 26 March 2012.
  10. Web site: VenuesWest to Assume Direct Management of RAC Arena from 1 July 2026. 2026-01-10. VenuesWest.
  11. Web site: Big player to head Perth Arena. 2012-05-03. The West Australian. 4 September 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20100904012729/http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/breaking/7863208/big-player-to-head-perth-arena/. dead.
  12. Web site: Perth Arena general manager David Humphreys dies before venue opening. 4 September 2012. 2012-09-06. PerthNow. 6 September 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120906014056/http://www.perthnow.com.au/news/western-australia/perth-arena-general-manager-david-humphreys-dies-before-venue-opening/story-e6frg13u-1226465023009. live.
  13. Web site: STEVE HEVERN APPOINTED INTERIM GENERAL MANAGER AT PERTH ARENA. 2012-11-11. Australasian Leisure Management. https://web.archive.org/web/20130427003238/http://ausleisure.com.au/default.asp?PageID=2. 27 April 2013. dead.
  14. Web site: Perth Arena Events Mode: Tennis. 2009-05-19. VenuesWest. https://web.archive.org/web/20120327230214/http://www.venueswest.wa.gov.au/cproot/948/3/Perth%20Arena%20Seating%20Plan_Tennis.pdf. 27 March 2012. dead.
  15. Web site: Perth Arena Events Mode: Basketball. 2009-05-19. VenuesWest. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20120327224834/http://www.venueswest.wa.gov.au/cproot/947/3/Perth%20Arena%20Seating%20Plan_Basketball.pdf. 27 March 2012.
  16. Web site: Perth Arena Design. 2012-04-29. AEG Ogden. https://web.archive.org/web/20130127160005/http://www.pertharena.com.au/. 27 January 2013. dead.
  17. Web site: Perth Arena costs have 'blown out', says WA auditor general. 10 March 2010. 2010-03-10. PerthNow. 11 January 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120111103413/http://www.perthnow.com.au/news/top-stories/perth-arena-costs-have-blown-out-says-wa-auditor-general/story-e6frg12l-1225839241008. live.
  18. Web site: Perth Arena to be RAC Arena after $10 million naming rights deal. PerthNow. 19 August 2018. 21 August 2018. 21 August 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180821093911/https://www.perthnow.com.au/news/perth/perth-arena-to-be-rac-arena-after-10-million-naming-rights-deal-ng-b88932425z. live.
  19. Web site: Telethon 2022: Countdown starts as stars prepare to return to Perth. 14 July 2022. 2022-07-14. PerthNow. 14 July 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220714054602/https://www.perthnow.com.au/local-news/central/countdown-starts-as-stars-and-telethon-prepare-to-return-to-perth-c-7483575. live.
  20. Web site: M . YouTube channel . 25 October 2023 . The Corrs - Queen of Hollywood (Live in Perth, 25 October 2023) . .
  21. News: Adelaide 36ers spoil Perth Wildcats' debut game at the new Perth Arena. News.com.au. 2012-11-21. Chris Robinson. 2012-11-18. 13 July 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200713172433/https://www.news.com.au/tablet/adelaide-36ers-spoil-perth-wildcats-debut-game-at-the-new-perth-arena/news-story/db8e8650c2caf857b3c1c2cf88fc6840. dead.
  22. Web site: Record crowd at first home game. Basketball Australia. 2012-11-20. 2013-09-27. https://web.archive.org/web/20131002220208/http://www.wildcats.com.au/article/id/gpe5t4ivm3su1k79zvyakmb5n. 2 October 2013. dead.
  23. Web site: Round 7 Stat Attack. Basketball Australia. 2012-11-20. 2013-09-27. 3 October 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20131003040126/http://www.nbl.com.au/article/id/1ui3agw8a8tqi1ebgz0ym0112y. dead.
  24. Web site: Perth Wildcats to open new venue with record crowd. Basketball Australia. 2012-11-17. 2013-09-27. 27 September 2013. https://archive.today/20130927025916/http://www.nbl.com.au/article/id/19h2q5b46nvco1vkx4w4dgjoeo. dead.
  25. News: O'Donoghue . Craig . Bryce Cotton leads Adelaide 36ers to miracle comeback victory over Perth Wildcats in return to WA . 7 December 2025 . The West Australian . 7 December 2025 . en.
  26. Web site: O'Donoghue. Craig. NBL1 West Grand Final to be played at RAC Arena as Basketball WA locks in the stadium for August. The West Australian. 9 May 2024. dead. https://archive.today/20240509101339/https://thewest.com.au/sport/basketball/nbl1-west-grand-final-to-be-played-at-rac-arena-as-basketball-wa-locks-in-the-stadium-for-august-c-14609023. 9 May 2024.
  27. News: West Grand Final returns to RAC Arena . 17 December 2024 . nbl1.com.au . 17 December 2024.
  28. Web site: After two decades in the spotlight, Roger and Serena meet on court. Sydney Morning Herald. Ben Rothenberg. 2 January 2019. 3 January 2019. 3 January 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190103210854/https://www.smh.com.au/sport/tennis/after-two-decades-in-the-spotlight-roger-and-serena-meet-on-court-20190102-p50p5z.html. live.
  29. Web site: Ash Barty to play in Perth at Fed Cup final at RAC Arena. The West Australian. 17 June 2019. 17 June 2019. 18 June 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190618105558/https://thewest.com.au/sport/tennis/ash-barty-to-play-in-perth-at-fed-cup-final-at-rac-arena-ng-b881231900z. live.
  30. Web site: About United Cup Tennis United Cup Tennis . 8 February 2023. United Cup . 1 February 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230201215014/https://www.unitedcup.com/en/tournament/about . live .
  31. News: Western Australia gets its first UFC event with February pay-per-view card. mmajunkie.com. Staff. 31 October 2017. 31 October 2017. 14 April 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180414062535/http://mmajunkie.com/2017/10/ufc-221-perth-western-australia-first-ufc-event. live.
  32. Web site: Grieve . Mya . 12 October 2022. UFC Perth 2023: UFC 284 Is Coming To Perth . 13 November 2022. So Perth . en-AU . 13 November 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221113112105/https://soperth.com.au/perthnews/ufc-perth-2023-75146 . live .
  33. News: UFC 305 results: Dricus Du Plessis taps Israel Adesanya in thrilling title bout. mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Matthew Wells. 18 August 2024. 19 September 2025.
  34. News: UFC Fight Night 260 results: Carlos Ulberg crushes Dominick Reyes with violent knockout . mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Nolan King. 28 September 2025. 28 September 2025.
  35. Web site: West Coast Fever: Annual Report (2018). Netball WA. 30 April 2020. 7 March 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200307102421/https://westcoastfever.com.au/sites/fever/files/2019-11/WCF2019_Annual_Report.pdf. live.
  36. Web site: Diamonds lose Test but retain Constellation Cup - Netball AustraliaNetball Australia . netball.com.au . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20151105040831/http://netball.com.au/diamonds-lose-test-but-retain-constellation-cup . 5 November 2015.
  37. Web site: WWE Crown Jewel Perth Set To Take Place On October 11. 2 May 2025. Lambert. Jeremy. Fightful. 2 May 2025.
  38. Web site: WWE Raw Results, Winners And Live Updates On October 13, 2025. 13 October 2025. Konuwa. Alfred. Forbes. 30 December 2025.

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