A MAJOR Perth Stadium milestone will be ticked off in the coming weeks when turf is rolled out on the playing surface for the first time.
The state-of-the-art-venue is in an exciting construction phase, with fewer than 5000 seats left to be installed and testing of the two giant screens – the largest stadium screens in the southern hemisphere – underway.
The 60,000-capacity stadium is more than 88 per cent complete and remains on track to open in early 2018 and ahead of the next AFL season.
Perth Stadium is more than 88 per cent complete. Picture: Daniel Carson, AFL Media
The 46th Western Derby was played at Domain Stadium last Sunday, and a clash between Fremantle and West Coast could be the first AFL match played for premiership points at the new venue next season. Or the Dockers and Eagles could both host home games against interstate opponents in round one.
Drawn-out negotiations between the WAFC and the WA State Government to sign off on football's move to the stadium are edging closer to completion.
The first AFL match at the new venue is yet to be decided. Picture: Daniel Carson, AFL Media
The commission could be rebranded AFLWA to secure extra funding from the AFL to help finalise the deal.
Premium experiences at the stadium will bring fans closer to their teams' inner workings when football moves to its new home in 2018.
Fans with tickets to the 'Coaches Room' could gain an insight into Adam Simpson's tactics in the West Coast coaches box or watch Fremantle boss Ross Lyon's post-match media conferences in the 'Locker Room'.
There are only 5000 seats to be fitted at the new stadium. Picture: Daniel Carson, AFL Media
The 'Coaches Room' will be located on level three, northern side and will have windows looking into the Eagles and Dockers' coaches boxes. Depending on the willingness of the clubs, sound can be pumped from the box into the Coaches Room, offering up to 50 fans unique gameday insight.
Passes to the 'Locker Room' will give supporters the chance to watch players warm up in the rooms, before they run through corporate area to get to the oval, and view the post-match media conferences.
Players will love the modern recovery facilities. Picture: Daniel Carson, AFL Media
In addition to the Locker Room and Coaches Room, there will be another 11 different ticketing options ranging from general admission to premium products at the 'fans first' stadium.
Among them will be the 'Sky View Lounge' at the western end of the venue, which will be located underneath one of the giant screens and offer stunning views of the Swan River and CBD.
A decision is yet to be made whether naming rights to the stadium will be sold, and debate has raged whether full-strength beer should be available in general admission areas.
The replay screens are the largest in the southern hemisphere. Picture: Daniel Carson, AFL Media
The Swan River Pedestrian Footbridge linking East Perth to the stadium has also been controversial, and has been delayed until March next year.
A one-day international cricket match between Australia and England could be the venue's opening event on January 28.
For football matches, the oval will be 165m long and 130m wide, between the dimensions of the MCG (160m x 141m) and Domain Stadium (175 x 120m).
Team meeting rooms at the new Perth venue. Picture: Daniel Carson, AFL Media
The oval will be 165m long and 130m wide. Picture: Daniel Carson, AFL Media
