Football fans are being urged to rally in record-breaking numbers to mark the first women’s western derby between West Coast and Fremantle at Optus Stadium.

It is expected the crowd will not only rival the 41,975 fans who set a women’s sport attendance record to watch Fremantle versus Collingwood at the venue in 2018 but also possibly nudge the record 53,034 fans who watched the AFLW grand final at Adelaide Oval last year.

The AFL’s head of women’s football, Nicole Livingstone, said she expected a “packed out” crowd 25 years after the Eagles and Dockers men first played in a derby.

“The derby is extremely momentous for AFLW,” she said.

“These milestone opportunities are really significant for us to celebrate women’s football.”

Eagles chief executive Trevor Nisbett said the inaugural match would be a significant moment for the club in its debut AFLW season.

“Hopefully, it will be 40,000-plus there to watch it,” he said.

“It’s fabulous for the women to get the opportunity to play in the first derby and we’re hoping a lot of people will come along to support the Eagles and be involved.”

The $3 entry fee for the match will go to the Red Cross to pay for efforts to help those affected by bushfires across Australia.

The match kicks off at 4.10pm on Saturday, February 15, at Optus Stadium.