In recent years, Perth has established itself as one of Australia’s top destinations for live sports. With several world-class stadiums and sporting venues located within minutes of the CBD, it’s easy to immerse yourself in Perth’s exciting calendar of sporting events all year round.
Whether you’re a sports enthusiast looking for tips on where to watch live games, or you’re still deciding on which local team to support, we’ve got you covered. Here’s our guide on watching sport in Perth.
AFL (Australian Rules Football)
The teams: As a sports fan in Perth, one of the most important decisions you’ll have to make is which AFL team you’re going to support.
While most of Australia’s eastern states have multiple AFL teams, Western Australia only has two—the West Coast Eagles, and the Fremantle Dockers—and they share an iconic rivalry that continues to intensify.
The leagues – AFL and AFLW: The Australian Football League (AFL) is Australia’s most popular sport. There are 18 clubs in the national men’s league, and each club also has a women’s team that plays in the AFLW.
The annual men’s season runs from March to September, and the women’s season runs from October until December.
Where to watch: The West Coast Eagles and Fremantle Dockers play their home games at Optus Stadium in Burswood. Optus Stadium hosts a wide variety of sports games, and it’s conveniently located just 10 minutes from the Perth CBD. Transport to and from Optus Stadium is included in your event ticket.
Cricket
The team: Perth Scorchers are the local heroes in cricket, competing in the Big Bash League (BBL).
The leagues: The BBL is Australia’s premier T20 cricket competition, featuring fast-paced, high-energy matches that draw large crowds. Additionally, Perth hosts international One Day and Test Matches, offering a variety of formats for cricket fans to enjoy.
Where to watch: Catch the Perth Scorchers and other thrilling cricket matches at the WACA Ground. Located close to the city centre, the WACA is a historic venue that offers an authentic cricket experience. The ground is easily accessible by public transport, and tickets can be purchased through the Perth Scorchers website.
Basketball
The team: The Perth Wildcats are the pride of Perth in the National Basketball League (NBL).
The league: The NBL is Australia’s premier basketball competition, featuring top teams from around the country.
Where to watch: The Wildcats play their home games at RAC Arena, a state-of-the-art facility located in the heart of Perth. RAC Arena is known for its electric atmosphere and is easily accessible by public transport. For tickets and schedules, visit the Perth Wildcats website.
Football (soccer)
The team: Perth Glory represents the city in the A-League, Australia’s top soccer competition.
The league: The A-League runs from October to May, featuring teams from across Australia and New Zealand.
Where to watch: Home games for Perth Glory are held at HBF Park. This venue is conveniently located near the Perth CBD and offers a great environment for soccer fans. Public transport options make getting to the games easy, and tickets can be found on the Perth Glory website.
Netball
The team: West Coast Fever is Perth’s premier netball team, competing in the Suncorp Super Netball (SSN) tournament.
The league: The SSN league is known for its fast-paced, high-intensity matches and features the best netball players from around Australia. The season typically runs from March to July, providing plenty of opportunities to catch thrilling netball action.
Where to watch: Catch the Fever at RAC Arena, which provides a thrilling atmosphere for netball games. For more information on tickets and match schedules, visit the West Coast Fever website.
Ice hockey
The team: Perth Thunder competes in the Australian Ice Hockey League (AIHL).
The league: The Australian Ice Hockey League (AIHL) is the top ice hockey league in Australia, featuring teams from across the country. The season runs from April to September, ending with a finals series to crown the national champion. The league is known for its fast-paced and high-energy games.
Where to watch: Perth Thunder’s home games are played at the Perth Ice Arena. Located a short drive from the CBD, the arena offers a unique and exciting sports experience. For tickets and schedules, check out the Perth Thunder website.
Where to watch sport if you can’t attend the games
If you can’t make it to the stadiums, there are plenty of options to catch the games live. Popular sports bars in Perth like Varsity venues (Morley, Northbridge, Fremantle, Innaloo) and The Camfield in Burswood offer fun atmospheres for watching sports.
You can also live stream games on platforms like Kayo Sports, Stan Sport, and through league-specific apps and websites. Major broadcasters such as Channel 7 and Fox Sports regularly air live sports, ensuring you never miss out on the action.
