A rugby fan frenzy has driven demand for tickets to Perth’s Bledisloe Cup match on August 10 to new heights, prompting Optus Stadium to release thousands of additional drop-in seats and positioning the game to create a new attendance record for a sporting event at the Stadium.
Around 60,000 fans are expected to cheer on their team and create an electric atmosphere for the double-header game, which will feature the Buildcorp Wallaroos facing off against the Black Ferns, before the Qantas Wallabies take on the New Zealand All Blacks.
The game is supported by the State Government through Tourism WA, and will enter the record books as the only time in 2019 that the two teams will play against each other in Australia and the first time that Western Australia has hosted a Bledisloe Cup match.
Around 10,000 interstate and overseas rugby fans are expected to travel to WA for the landmark event. The game will also be broadcast to around 280 million people worldwide, including into WA’s key tourism markets of New Zealand, the United Kingdom, USA and Japan.
Big screens in Yagan Square and Burswood Park will be another avenue for people to view the game live. The screens are part of a range of activities organised by Rugby Australia, the Metropolitan Redevelopment Authority, the City of Perth and Activate Perth, in partnership with Tourism WA. The activities aim to build excitement, stimulate trade for local businesses and give fans more ways to be involved in the historic event.
A Wallabies and Wallaroos fan day and a Wallaroos open training session have already attracted huge crowds in the lead-up to game-day, while Matagarup Bridge, the Bell Tower and Perth Concert Hall are just some of the landmarks transformed with gold lighting in a tribute to the Wallabies Gold Blooded campaign.
As stated by Tourism Minister Paul Papalia:
“The chance to witness this history-making rivalry play out in front of one of the biggest sporting crowds the State has ever seen, in a stadium recently named the most beautiful in the world, will be truly memorable.
“The All Blacks haven’t played in Perth for more than a quarter of a century and we think the whole team, plus travelling fans who haven’t been to Perth in a while, are going to be blown away by the exciting, modern city that greets them.
“We’re also thrilled to host the Wallaroos and Black Ferns clash, which adds to the stellar line-up of elite level Women’s sport we’re hosting in WA, including the Constellation Cup netball in October, the Fed Cup Final in November and the Women’s T20 cricket in February next year.
“The Bledisloe Cup is the latest in a string of successful sporting events Tourism WA has scored for the State. Together with the recent Manchester United and State of Origin games, they have been the reason for tens of thousands of people packing their bags for a trip to Perth.
“And when they’re here, they’re having a great time while filling our hotel rooms, bars and restaurants – which helps diversify the WA economy and create jobs. They’re spreading the word that Western Australia has the best of both worlds – ancient natural beauty and the modern infrastructure to host blockbuster events.”
