Western Australia’s bid to host the AFL’s Gather Round will include a $5 million transformation to Leederville Oval, it has been confirmed, for both the men and women’s games.
The state government confirmed it will revamp the grounds, including by replacing the maligned ground, the goal posts, boundary fencing and dug outs and upgrading the lighting for night games to be broadcast.
Leederville Oval will get a new surface and lighting as part of a 5 million dollar upgrade.Credit: City of Vincent
Deputy Premier and Treasurer Rita Saffioti told WAtoday the state’s $3.8 million dollar contribution would elevate the oval, which was renamed Sullivan Logistics Stadium in 2023, to a tier two football ground.
Fremantle Oval is the only other tier two venue in WA.
“We’re really proud to be supporting these important upgrades to Leederville Oval, which will not only benefit our WAFL teams that play here, but the sport more broadly,” she said.
The treasurer has held informal talks with the AFL, West Coast and Fremantle regarding measures to equalise travel disadvantages for the WA teams.
“With the Tasmania team moving in, (2028) they’ll be looking at fixturing, we’re hoping there may be two Gather Rounds or a Gather Round split in half for example, and we’d love to be the Western hub for that type of project,” Saffioti said.
Gather Round sees all 18 AFL clubs travel to a host city to play nine games across multiple venues.
Adelaide’s hosting rights deal expires at the end of 2026. The South Australian government reportedly paid $15 million.
It’s estimated this season’s event attracted 40,000 interstate visitors contributing more than $80 million into the state’s economy.
“Post the Tasmanian club coming in, if there’s a change in the type of fixturing and for example, there’s two Gather Rounds, we would love to be a part of that and we’d be ready to go” Saffioti said.
The project combines funding from the AFL, the WAFC, East Perth and Subiaco Football Clubs who cotenant the oval.
Royals midfielder Layla Firns says the upgrade will improve her team’s performance.
“Less injuries for sure, I myself did my ankle running through the centre-square.” Firns said.
Subiaco midfielder Stefan Giro said they had played in some “tough conditions” in the past two to three years, even stating a few had felt like they were playing “underwater” due to the turf retaining water.
The City of Vincent will oversee the works, and its Mayor Alison Xamon said works would be completed by next March.
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