Optus Stadium to host ‘smorgasbord’ of sport across packed winter, summer in 2025, says CEO Mike McKenna

There will be a “smorgasbord” of sport on offer at Optus Stadium this winter ahead of a packed summer schedule, according to chief executive Mike McKenna. As West Coast and Fremantle’s seasons get underway, McKenna declared the Burwood venue was no “one-trick pony” when it came to live sport and entertainment for West Australians. Optus Stadium will host some of the country’s biggest sporting events, with marquee matches, fan favourites and international fixtures expected to draw huge crowds, which started with the Indigenous All Stars clash in February. A blockbuster NRL double-header on April 12 will bring rugby league back to Perth, before the Socceroos face Japan in a World Cup qualifier on June 5. The NRL’s State of Origin returns to Optus Stadium on June 18, before the British and Irish Lions take on Western Force on June 28 and the Bledisloe Cup will bring the Wallabies and the All Blacks face-to-face on October 4. The highly-anticipated Ashes series between old rivals England and Australia will begin with the first Test starting November 21, before the Perth Scorchers turn Optus Stadium into The Furnace across the summer. McKenna said the wide range of codes on offer means there is something for everyone. “Every fan of sport in WA gets a piece of the action, we’re not a one-trick pony here,” he said. “We’ve got great support for a wide range of codes and people love coming to big events, so we’re going to capitalise on that over this period. “There is something for everyone and everything for everyone. The thing about fans in Perth is they love their sport; they love AFL, they love cricket, they love rugby, league and union. “We encourage people to try something different, there is a real smorgasbord of activity ahead of us, so it gives everyone an opportunity to try something different as well as back in their favourite teams.” McKenna expects a crowd of up to 130,000-plus could pour through the gates for the Ashes, with 45,000 expected for the first two days of the West Test. Optus Stadium will also host a Metallica concert on November 1.