WACA Ground
The WACA Ground is home of the Western Australian Cricket Association and plays host to international and domestic cricket. Previously the ground has played host to Australian Football, Rugby League, Rugby Union & Football, however these days it's primarily a cricket ground only. The WACA was last redeveloped in 2002 resulting in improved facilities for both players and spectators. The redevelopment reduced capacity to around 20,000 (can be increased to 24,500 with temporary seating) and decreased the dimensions of the playing arena, meaning AFL can no longer be played at the venue. An icon of the WACA is its six large light towers which were completed in 1986 and stand at 70 metres high.
The WACA is Perth's second largest sporting venue and the ground played host to all night AFL games in the city until lighting was installed at Subiaco Oval. It hosted its last official AFL game on 16th July 2000. The WACA redevelopment in the winter of 2002 made the ground more suitable for cricket by reducing the playing arena size. Other features of the redevelopment included moving the members end to the opposite end of the ground, a new players pavilion beside the Lillee Marsh (Members) Stand, demolishing the old players pavilion and Farley Stand, installing new seats throughout the venue and replacing seats with grass hills on each side. As a result, the permanent capacity of the stadium is around 20,000 however with the use of temporary stands for major events, this can be boosted to 24,500. The other two grandstands at the venue are the Prindiville Stand - a three-tiered stand opposite the members, and the Inverarity or "Test" stand situated beside it.
Since the opening of Optus Stadium in 2018, all major cricket events including internationals and Perth Scorchers BBL matches have moved to the new 60,000-seat stadium, with the future of the WACA Ground in some doubt. Smaller matches such as state games continue to be played at the ground, while plans have been discussed to develop the venue in the future and once again allow Australian Football matches to be played there.
