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| Perth Arena | |
|---|---|
| Name | Perth Arena |
| Former names | Burswood Entertainment Complex |
| Location | Perth, Western Australia |
| Opened | 2012 |
| Owner | VenuesWest |
| Operator | VenuesWest |
| Construction cost | A$548 million |
| Architect | ARM Architecture, Cameron Chisholm Nicol |
| Capacity | 15,000 (concerts), 10,000 (tennis) |
| Structural engineer | Arup |
| Main contractors | Grocon, Multiplex |
Perth Arena Perth Arena is a multi-purpose indoor arena in the suburb of Burswood, Perth, Western Australia, serving as a principal venue for sport, music, and entertainment. The venue hosts professional sports franchises, touring international musicians, community events, and international tournaments, positioning it within Perth’s cultural precinct alongside nearby Perth Stadium, Optus Stadium, and the Swan River. Built to replace older metropolitan venues, the arena functions as part of Western Australia’s venue network and contributes to major event bidding and staging.
Planning for a new major indoor venue in Perth intensified during the 2000s amid discussions involving the Government of Western Australia, the City of Perth, and private stakeholders such as the Burswood Entertainment Complex operators. Architect selection involved firms including ARM Architecture and Cameron Chisholm Nicol, with structural engineering by Arup. Construction contracts were awarded to builders with ties to projects by Grocon and Multiplex, and the facility opened in 2012 amid ceremonies attended by Western Australian political figures and cultural leaders. Since opening, the arena has hosted premiers, sporting finals, international tours, and trade exhibitions while undergoing operational adjustments overseen by venue manager VenuesWest.
The arena’s design reflects contributions from Australian and international practices, combining expressive exterior geometry with heavy engineering systems by Arup and project coordination with consultants linked to major civic projects like Perth Concert Hall and State Theatre Centre of Western Australia. The distinctive rotating and articulated roof elements and glulam timber trusses relate to design precedents by ARM Architecture and echo structural strategies seen in venues such as Sydney Opera House and redevelopment work around Elizabeth Quay. Façade treatments draw comparisons with contemporary civic buildings by studios that have worked on the National Gallery of Australia and urban renewal schemes in Melbourne and Brisbane. Sustainability measures were informed by consultants experienced in Australian stadia upgrades, reflecting standards applied at venues including Docklands Stadium and Adelaide Oval.
Internally, the arena provides tiered seating configurations adaptable for concerts, basketball, tennis, and netball, with maximum capacities comparable to other Australian arenas such as Qudos Bank Arena and Rod Laver Arena. The main bowl accommodates up to approximately 15,000 spectators for music events and around 10,000 for court sports; corporate suites, media facilities, corporate hospitality lounges, and backstage dressing rooms meet requirements for events previously staged at venues like Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre and Hisense Arena. Technical infrastructure includes broadcast galleries used by networks like Australian Broadcasting Corporation and commercial broadcasters, load-in access suitable for international touring productions, and acoustical design inputs from consultants with credits on projects for Sydney Opera House productions and nationwide concert tours.
The arena serves as home court or regular host for professional franchises and national competitions linked to organizations such as the National Basketball League (Australia), the Australian Open (table tennis) circuit, and the Suncorp Super Netball pathways. High-profile concerts have featured international artists represented by agencies allied to Live Nation and Frontier Touring, and the venue has been used for award shows, corporate functions, and community events promoted by entities like the WA Symphony Orchestra and touring productions of the Royal Shakespeare Company. The facility has staged sporting finals, exhibition matches involving teams associated with the Perth Wildcats, national basketball squads, and visiting international tennis players in ATP and WTA exhibition contexts.
Situated adjacent to the Burswood railway station and connected by arterial roads to the Great Eastern Highway and the Mitchell Freeway corridor, the arena benefits from public transport integration with services run by Transperth and event-day shuttle operations coordinated with local councils. Pedestrian links and bicycle routes tie into the Swan River foreshore network and nearby entertainment precincts including the Crown Perth complex and hotel developments. Parking and traffic management on event days are managed in coordination with the Western Australian Police Force and metropolitan traffic authorities, reflecting approaches used at other major Perth venues such as Perth Stadium.
As a landmark within Perth’s entertainment infrastructure, the arena has influenced local cultural programming through collaborations with institutions like the Perth Festival, the West Australian Ballet, and touring circuits associated with Arts Centre Melbourne and national presenters. Economically, the venue has supported hospitality, tourism, and employment in sectors tied to the Crown Perth precinct, transient accommodation providers, and event service suppliers, contributing to Western Australia’s visitor economy and cultural tourism strategies similar to effects observed after upgrades to Adelaide Oval and Brisbane Entertainment Centre. The arena’s role in bidding for international conferences and sports fixtures has intersected with policy initiatives led by the Government of Western Australia and tourism bodies, reinforcing Perth’s profile as a host city for large-scale events.
Category:Buildings and structures in Perth, Western Australia Category:Sports venues in Western Australia Category:Music venues in Perth, Western Australia