Perth Arena

{{Short description|Sports and entertainment venue in Perth, Western Australia}}

{{redirect|RAC Arena|the arena in the United States|Retriever Activities Center}}

{{Infobox venue

| name = {{wikidata |property |P1448}}

| logo_image = 150px

| image = RAC Arena, October 2018.jpg

| image_size = 250px

| mapframe-marker = music

| mapframe-marker-colour = #BE1596

| mapframe-stroke-colour = #C60C30

| mapframe-zoom = 13

| address = 700 Wellington Street

| location = Perth, Western Australia, Australia

| former names = Perth Arena (2012–2018)

| coordinates = {{coord |region:AU-WA_type:landmark_dim:50 |name={{wikidata |property |P1448 }} |display=inline,title |format=dms}}

| broke_ground = June 2007

| opened = {{Start date|df=y|2012|11|10}}{{cite web|title=First look inside Perth Arena|url=https://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/wa/13115823/first-look-inside-perth-arena/|access-date=2012-03-08|publisher=The West Australian|archive-date=11 March 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120311054834/https://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/wa/13115823/first-look-inside-perth-arena|url-status=dead}}

| owner = VenuesWest

| operator = AEG Ogden

| cost = A$548.7 million{{cite web|title=Govt settles BGC arena row|url=https://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/newshome/12464088/govt-settles-bgc-arena-row/|access-date=2011-12-28|publisher=The West Australian|archive-date=27 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131227232050/https://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/newshome/12464088/govt-settles-bgc-arena-row/|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|title=Perth Arena price tag nears $550m|date=28 December 2011|url=https://www.perthnow.com.au/business/business-old/perth-arena-price-tag-nears-550m/story-e6frg2qu-1226231830772|access-date=28 December 2011|publisher=PerthNow|archive-date=14 February 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120214035004/https://www.perthnow.com.au/business/business-old/perth-arena-price-tag-nears-550m/story-e6frg2qu-1226231830772|url-status=live}}

| architect = ARM & CCN

| project_manager = Appian Group

| builder = WSP Group

| structural engineer = Aurecon

| services engineer = Wood & Grieve Engineers

| general_contractor = BGC Construction

| main_contractors = Buss Construction

| capacity = {{wikidata |property |P1083}}{{Cite web|url=https://hopmancup.com/event-guide/about-the-tournament/|title=About the Tournament|access-date=4 January 2018|archive-date=28 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211028154829/https://hopmancup.com/event-guide/about-the-tournament/|url-status=dead}}

| tenants = {{Unbulleted list|Perth Wildcats (2012–present)|West Coast Fever (2013–present)|Hopman Cup (2013–2019)}}{{Unbulleted list|item1_style=background-color:#ccc;|Major sporting events hosted|2020 ATP Cup
United Cup (2023–present)}}

| website = {{url|racarena.com.au}}

}}

Perth Arena (known commercially as {{wikidata |property |P1448}}){{Cite web|url=https://www.venueswest.wa.gov.au/venues/rac-arena/|title=RAC Arena|access-date=6 March 2019|archive-date=15 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220215090600/https://www.venueswest.wa.gov.au/venues/rac-arena/|url-status=live}} 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 is the first stage of the Perth City Link, a {{convert|13.5|ha|adj=on}} major urban renewal and redevelopment project which involves the sinking of the Fremantle railway line to link the Perth central business district directly with Northbridge.{{cite web|title=Perth City Link: Reconnecting the City|url=http://www.mra.wa.gov.au/Projects/Perth-City-Link/About-the-Project/|access-date=2012-05-03|publisher=Metropolitan Redevelopment Authority|archive-date=28 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141028180114/http://www.mra.wa.gov.au/Projects/Perth-City-Link/About-the-Project/|url-status=dead}}

History

File:Perth Arena, seen from Central Park, January 2021.jpg building.]]

It is owned by VenuesWest (which operates HBF Stadium, HBF Arena, Bendat Basketball Centre, and others) on behalf of The State Government of Western Australia and is managed by AEG Ogden.{{cite web|title=VenuesWest Media Release|url=http://www.venueswest.wa.gov.au/cproot/1061/3/Media%20release%20-%20AEG%20Ogden%20Signing.pdf|access-date=2011-08-17|publisher=VenuesWest|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120326104621/http://www.venueswest.wa.gov.au/cproot/1061/3/Media%20release%20-%20AEG%20Ogden%20Signing.pdf|archive-date=26 March 2012}}

The inaugural General Manager of Perth Arena was David Humphreys, former General Manager of the Perth Entertainment Centre and Allphones Arena in Sydney.{{cite web|title=Big player to head Perth Arena|url=http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/breaking/7863208/big-player-to-head-perth-arena/|access-date=2012-05-03|publisher=The West Australian|archive-date=4 September 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100904012729/http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/breaking/7863208/big-player-to-head-perth-arena/|url-status=dead}} Humphreys died two months before the venue's opening.{{cite web|title=Perth Arena general manager David Humphreys dies before venue opening|date=4 September 2012|url=http://www.perthnow.com.au/news/western-australia/perth-arena-general-manager-david-humphreys-dies-before-venue-opening/story-e6frg13u-1226465023009|access-date=2012-09-06|publisher=Perth Now|archive-date=6 September 2012|archive-url=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|url-status=live}} AEG Ogden announced Steve Hevern as the interim General Manager on 3 October 2012.{{cite web|title=STEVE HEVERN APPOINTED INTERIM GENERAL MANAGER AT PERTH ARENA|url=http://www.ausleisure.com.au/default.asp?PageID=2&ReleaseID=6689&Display=True|access-date=2012-11-11|publisher=Australasian Leisure Management|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130427003238/http://ausleisure.com.au/default.asp?PageID=2|archive-date=27 April 2013|url-status=dead}}

Anchor tenants of Perth Arena include the West Coast Fever, Perth Wildcats{{cite web|title=Wildcats owner says Perth Arena will change basketball|date=20 April 2011|url=http://www.perthnow.com.au/news/western-australia/wildcats-owner-says-perth-arena-will-change-basketball/story-e6frg13u-1226042427573|access-date=2011-04-20|publisher=PerthNow|archive-date=27 August 2011|archive-url=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|url-status=live}} and formerly the Hopman Cup.{{cite web|title=Perth Arena to ensure Hopman Cup stays in WA|date=20 April 2010|url=http://www.watoday.com.au/wa-news/perth-arena-to-ensure-hopman-cup-stays-in-wa-20100420-srev.html|access-date=2011-04-20|publisher=WA Today|archive-date=4 January 2014|archive-url=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|url-status=live}}

=Design and construction=

File:Perth Arena construction Feb 2011.jpg

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,{{cite web|title=Perth Arena Events Mode: Tennis|url=http://www.venueswest.wa.gov.au/cproot/948/3/Perth%20Arena%20Seating%20Plan_Tennis.pdf|access-date=2009-05-19|publisher=VenuesWest|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120327230214/http://www.venueswest.wa.gov.au/cproot/948/3/Perth%20Arena%20Seating%20Plan_Tennis.pdf|archive-date=27 March 2012|url-status=dead}} 14,846 for basketball (the arena's capacity is capped at 13,000 for National Basketball League regular season games){{cite web|title=Perth Arena Events Mode: Basketball|url=http://www.venueswest.wa.gov.au/cproot/947/3/Perth%20Arena%20Seating%20Plan_Basketball.pdf|access-date=2009-05-19|publisher=VenuesWest|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120327224834/http://www.venueswest.wa.gov.au/cproot/947/3/Perth%20Arena%20Seating%20Plan_Basketball.pdf|archive-date=27 March 2012}} 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.{{cite web|title=Perth Arena Design|url=http://www.pertharena.com.au|access-date=2012-04-29|publisher=AEG Ogden|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130127160005/http://www.pertharena.com.au/|archive-date=27 January 2013|url-status=dead}}

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."{{cite web|title=Perth Arena costs have 'blown out', says WA auditor general|date=10 March 2010|url=http://www.perthnow.com.au/news/top-stories/perth-arena-costs-have-blown-out-says-wa-auditor-general/story-e6frg12l-1225839241008|access-date=2010-03-10|publisher=PerthNow|archive-date=11 January 2012|archive-url=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|url-status=live}} 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.{{Cite web|url=https://www.perthnow.com.au/news/perth/perth-arena-to-be-rac-arena-after-10-million-naming-rights-deal-ng-b88932425z|title=Perth Arena to be RAC Arena after $10 million naming rights deal|work=Perth Now|date=19 August 2018|access-date=21 August 2018|archive-date=21 August 2018|archive-url=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|url-status=live}} 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.

Entertainment

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.{{cite web|title=Telethon 2022: Countdown starts as stars prepare to return to Perth|date=14 July 2022|url=https://www.perthnow.com.au/local-news/central/countdown-starts-as-stars-and-telethon-prepare-to-return-to-perth-c-7483575|access-date=2022-07-14|publisher=PerthNow|archive-date=14 July 2022|archive-url=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|url-status=live}}

On 29 and 30 September 2022, the American singer-songwriter Billie Eilish performed her final two dates in Australia during her tour, Happier Than Ever: The World 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.{{Cite web |last=M |first=YouTube channel |date=25 October 2023 |title=The Corrs - Queen of Hollywood (Live in Perth, 25 October 2023) |website=YouTube |url=https://youtube.com/watch?v=zpYCbbB66go&pp=ygUPVGhlIGNvcnJzIHBlcnRo }} The group was supported by Australian pop icon Natalie Imbruglia, as well as Toni Childs and Germein.

Sports

=Basketball=

File:Perth Wildcats vs Brisbane Bullets.jpg

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.{{cite news|url=http://www.news.com.au/news/adelaide-36ers-spoil-perth-wildcats-debut-game-at-the-new-perth-arena/story-fnejlub9-1226518629667|title=Adelaide 36ers spoil Perth Wildcats' debut game at the new Perth Arena|publisher=News.com.au|date=2012-11-21|author=Chris Robinson|access-date=2012-11-18|archive-date=13 July 2020|archive-url=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|url-status=dead}} The attendance was the largest recorded in Western Australia for an indoor event,{{cite web|url=http://www.wildcats.com.au/article/id/gpe5t4ivm3su1k79zvyakmb5n|title=Record crowd at first home game|publisher=Basketball Australia|date=2012-11-20|access-date=2013-09-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131002220208/http://www.wildcats.com.au/article/id/gpe5t4ivm3su1k79zvyakmb5n|archive-date=2 October 2013|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://www.nbl.com.au/article/id/1ui3agw8a8tqi1ebgz0ym0112y|title=Round 7 Stat Attack|publisher=Basketball Australia|date=2012-11-20|access-date=2013-09-27|archive-date=3 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131003040126/http://www.nbl.com.au/article/id/1ui3agw8a8tqi1ebgz0ym0112y|url-status=dead}} breaking the previous record of 8,501 set at the Burswood Dome in 2004.{{cite web|url=http://www.nbl.com.au/article/id/19h2q5b46nvco1vkx4w4dgjoeo|title=Perth Wildcats to open new venue with record crowd|publisher=Basketball Australia|date=2012-11-17|access-date=2013-09-27|archive-date=27 September 2013|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130927025916/http://www.nbl.com.au/article/id/19h2q5b46nvco1vkx4w4dgjoeo|url-status=dead}} The arena has, of course, hosted larger crowds since that time, with the current record being 13,615 set during the Wildcats 101–83 win to the Tasmania Jackjumpers on 19 December 2021 during Round 3 of the 2021–22 NBL Season.

With a capacity of 14,846, Perth Arena is the second-largest venue currently in use in the NBL (2016–17) behind the Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney (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.{{cite web|last=O'Donoghue|first=Craig|url=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|title=NBL1 West Grand Final to be played at RAC Arena as Basketball WA locks in the stadium for August|work=The West Australian|date=9 May 2024|url-status=dead|archive-url=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|archive-date=9 May 2024}}{{cite news |title=West Grand Final returns to RAC Arena |url=https://nbl1.com.au/article/west-grand-final-returns-to-rac-arena |access-date=17 December 2024 |work=nbl1.com.au |date=17 December 2024}}

=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.{{cite web|url=https://www.smh.com.au/sport/tennis/after-two-decades-in-the-spotlight-roger-and-serena-meet-on-court-20190102-p50p5z.html|title=After two decades in the spotlight, Roger and Serena meet on court|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|author=Ben Rothenberg|date=2 January 2019|access-date=3 January 2019|archive-date=3 January 2019|archive-url=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|url-status=live}} This was also the highest attendance for a tennis match in Western Australian history. The stadium hosted the Hopman Cup until the tournament's disbandment. It was chosen by Tennis Australia to host the 2019 Fed Cup Final between Australia and France.{{cite web|url=https://thewest.com.au/sport/tennis/ash-barty-to-play-in-perth-at-fed-cup-final-at-rac-arena-ng-b881231900z|title=Ash Barty to play in Perth at Fed Cup final at RAC Arena|work=The West Australian|date=17 June 2019|access-date=17 June 2019|archive-date=18 June 2019|archive-url=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|url-status=live}} Since 2020 the arena has been one of three Australian venues to host ties in the multi-nation ATP Cup tournament. In 2022 it was one of three venues to host the multi-nation mixed-team United Cup tournament.{{Cite web |title=About {{!}} United Cup {{!}} Tennis {{!}} United Cup {{!}} Tennis |url=http://www.unitedcup.com/en/tournament/about |access-date=8 February 2023|website=United Cup |archive-date=1 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230201215014/https://www.unitedcup.com/en/tournament/about |url-status=live }}

=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.{{cite news|url=http://mmajunkie.com/2017/10/ufc-221-perth-western-australia-first-ufc-event|title=Western Australia gets its first UFC event with February pay-per-view card|publisher=mmajunkie.com|author=Staff|date=31 October 2017|access-date=31 October 2017|archive-date=14 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180414062535/http://mmajunkie.com/2017/10/ufc-221-perth-western-australia-first-ufc-event|url-status=live}}

The UFC hosted UFC 284: Makhachev vs. Volkanovski at Perth Arena on February 12, 2023.{{Cite web |last=Grieve |first=Mya |date=12 October 2022|title=UFC Perth 2023: UFC 284 Is Coming To Perth |url=https://soperth.com.au/perthnews/ufc-perth-2023-75146 |access-date=13 November 2022|website=So Perth |language=en-AU |archive-date=13 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221113112105/https://soperth.com.au/perthnews/ufc-perth-2023-75146 |url-status=live }}

The UFC hosted UFC 305: du Plessis vs. Adesanya at Perth Arena on August 18, 2024.{{Cite web|url=https://soperth.com.au/sport/ufc-is-heading-back-to-perth-heres-what-you-need-to-know-114468|title=UFC 305 Perth: Here's What You Need To Know|date=28 March 2024 |access-date=13 May 2024|publisher=So Perth}}

=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 HBF Stadium. 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.{{cite web|url=https://westcoastfever.com.au/sites/fever/files/2019-11/WCF2019_Annual_Report.pdf|title=West Coast Fever: Annual Report (2018)|work=Netball WA|access-date=30 April 2020|archive-date=7 March 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200307102421/https://westcoastfever.com.au/sites/fever/files/2019-11/WCF2019_Annual_Report.pdf|url-status=live}}

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.{{cite web |url=https://netball.com.au/diamonds-lose-test-but-retain-constellation-cup/. |title=Diamonds lose Test but retain Constellation Cup - Netball AustraliaNetball Australia |website=netball.com.au |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151105040831/http://netball.com.au/diamonds-lose-test-but-retain-constellation-cup |archive-date=5 November 2015}}

=Professional wrestling=

American professional wrestling company WWE will host their Premium Live Event Crown Jewel on Saturday, 11 October 2025.{{cite web|url=https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/wwe-crown-jewel-perth-set-take-place-october-11|title=WWE Crown Jewel Perth Set To Take Place On October 11|date=2 May 2025|last=Lambert|first=Jeremy|work=Fightful|access-date=2 May 2025}}

References

External links

{{Official website|www.racarena.com.au}}
[https://web.archive.org/web/20130127160005/http://www.pertharena.com.au/ Perth Arena] (archived 27 January 2013)
[http://www.aegworldwide.com AEG Worldwide]

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