- Roll on the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 – new turf at Perth Rectangular Stadium
- Upgraded football pitch has 9500 square metres of state-of-the-art hybrid grass
- Turf works part of $35 million project to revamp ground ahead of five international soccer matches being played there during the biggest sporting event of the year
Perth/Boorloo is kicking another goal in its preparations to host five matches during the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 – a new hybrid grass pitch is being installed at Perth Rectangular Stadium, while other venue upgrades are also nearing completion.
The McGowan Government has provided $35 million for the game-changing infrastructure project to enhance player and spectator experience and meet media requirements.
Natural grass has been removed and is being replaced with 9500 square metres of hybrid turf in line with FIFA specifications, providing a state-of-the-art playing surface. Hybrid turf is considered superior for consistent ball bounce and roll, helping create the best possible fast and firm pitch for the ‘beautiful game’ of football/soccer.
The new 40mm thick turf at Perth Rectangular Stadium weighs 760,000 kilos in total and will be instantly playable when it is finished on 15 April 2023. It will be better under foot for players and less susceptible to wear and tear.
Off the field, the installation of 294 new LED light fittings has ensured the floodlighting is ready for camera action, meeting FIFA’s TV broadcast standards. There is 27km of cabling for the lights, which are lower energy with a 50,000-hour life span per fitting compared to 6,000 hours for the previous fittings.
Other improvements include new larger high-definition video boards, revamped changing rooms, a new tunnel for players to enter the pitch (known as a player’s race), facilities made more accessible and new gates at the entrances to the ground.
The FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 match schedule includes five games at Perth Rectangular Stadium:
- Denmark v People’s Republic of China on 22 July;
- Republic of Ireland v Canada on 26 July;
- Panama v Jamaica on 29 July;
- Haiti v Denmark on 1 August; and
- Morocco v Colombia on 3 August.
Final tickets went on sale at FIFA.com/tickets 11 April 2023.
As stated by Sport and Recreation Minister David Templeman:
“With 99 days to go until the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023, the countdown is truly on, and I’m delighted to share that we’re almost pitch perfect at Perth Rectangular Stadium.
“The McGowan Government funded project involves 800 rolls – about 30 truckloads – of grass, weighing 80 kilograms per square metre. The weight means it will be ready to play as soon as it is down, and the world-class hybrid turf is more durable, stable and safe than the previous natural grass.
“Overall Perth Rectangular Stadium has undergone works to the tune of $35 million to make it Women’s World Cup ready. This includes new change rooms, players tunnel and dugouts, as well as new LED floodlights that meet FIFA’s broadcast standards, allowing our five WA hosted matches to be shown on TV.”
