AFLW match at Perth Stadium expected to break women's sport crowd record

The Fremantle Dockers women’s team is expected to make history when they play on 10 February at the new Perth Stadium, trumping the men’s AFL and rugby to be the first football match at the $1.6bn venue.

The WA government expects more than 30,000 people to attend the game, making it the biggest stand-alone women’s sport event to be held in Australia.

There will be free public transport to and from the 60,000-seat stadium, with tickets only $2 and all proceeds going to charity.

Before the match, fans will also be able to watch the Dockers men’s team train for the first time at Perth Stadium, followed by a signing and photo session.

But the women’s game might not be the first sporting event at the stadium. There is still hope that a oneday international between Australia and England can be held in January as part of the Ashes series.

With West Coast, the Dockers and WA Football Commission locked in protracted negotiations with the state government over a deal to play from next season at the new venue, Fremantle CEO Steve Rosich said an agreement was close.

Perth Stadium will be officially launched on 21 January with a free community open day. Ticket holders will be able to tour the venue and experience its lighting, video and audio systems.

There will also be live bands and roaming entertainment in the Stadium Park.

Also booked at the stadium are two Ed Sheeran concerts, a Perth NRL double-header in March,

Chelsea v Perth A-League club in mid-2018, next year’s second State of Origin match and a Bledisloe Cup Test in 2019.