Intro
Photo: Left to right: Meg Knuckey (FIFA), Carl Pekin (DLGSC), Hon Minister David Templeman MLA, Peter Bauchop (VenuesWest) and Mia Glavinas (HBF Park)
Perth/Boorloo is kicking another goal in its preparations to host 5 matches during the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023™ — a new hybrid grass pitch is being installed at Perth Rectangular Stadium, while other venue upgrades are also nearing completion. The State Government has poured $35 million into the game-changing infrastructure project to enhance player and spectator experience and meet media requirements.
Natural grass has been removed and is being replaced with 9500 square metres of hybrid turf in line with FIFA specifications, providing a state-of-the-art playing surface. Hybrid turf is considered superior for consistent ball bounce and roll, helping create the best possible fast and firm pitch for the ‘beautiful game’ of football/soccer.
The new 40mm thick turf at Perth Rectangular Stadium weighs 760,000 kilos in total and will be instantly playable when it is finished on 15 April 2023. It will be better under foot for players and less susceptible to wear and tear.
Off the field, the installation of 294 new LED light fittings has ensured the floodlighting is ready for camera action, meeting FIFA’s TV broadcast standards. There is 27km of cabling for those lights, which are lower energy with a 50,000-hour life per fitting compared to 6000 hours for the previous fittings.
Other improvements include new larger high-definition video boards, revamped changing rooms, a new tunnel for players to enter the pitch (known as a player’s race), facilities made more accessible and new gates at the entrances to the ground.
The FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023™ match schedule (PDF 665 KB) includes 5 games at Perth Rectangular Stadium:
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