nib Stadium will host a rugby union international for the first time next year following the state government's announcement today of a two-year deal with the Australian Rugby Union.
nib Stadium will host a rugby union international for the first time next year following the state government's announcement today of a two-year deal with the Australian Rugby Union.
The Wallabies will play Argentina at nib Stadium on September 17 2016, while the date for a test against South Africa the following year is yet to be confirmed.
Both games are expected to generate high local and national interest from rugby fans.
Acting Tourism Minister John Day said the test matches are part of the state government’s tourism plan for WA.
“Hosting international sporting events is part of the state government’s strategy to increase the value of tourism to $12 billion by 2020,” Mr Day said.
“Events such as the International rugby test matches not only add vibrancy to the city, they also attract visitors and provide valuable media exposure of Western Australia.”
The Argentinian game will be the first international rugby match to be played at nib Stadium, which is owned by VenuesWest on behalf of the state government.
Sport and Recreation Minister Mia Davies said nib Stadium provided a strong spectator experience.
“It is great to see the games played at nib Stadium, which is the home ground of the Western Force and supported by the rugby community, as it provides a quality spectator experience thanks to a $95 million redevelopment,” Ms Davies said.
“In addition, with WA having a high expatriate population of South Africans, we expect the test match in 2017 to attract strong attendance.”
The Wallabies beat Argentina 34-9 in Mendoza last Saturday, and will play New Zealand in the title-decider of this year's Rugby Championship in Sydney on August 9.
The Wallabies have previously played 14 Tests in Perth, always at Domain Stadium, and four 2003 World Cup games were also staged there.
Falling attendance numbers at Domain Stadium is understood to be the catalyst behind the move, with only 18,000 fans showing up to watch the Wallabies in 2013.
In June, Ms Davies announced a new chairperson and five new board members for VenuesWest.
Former chief executive officer of Tourism WA Richard Muirhead was appointed as chairperson of the organisation.
Formally known as Perth Oval, the rectangular nib Stadium seats 20,500 and will host a Socceroos Would Cup qualifier against Bangladesh on September 3 2015.
