- City-wide activations are underway ahead of the highly anticipated AAMI AFL Origin match
- Tonight's special national broadcast event Origin Countdown to build hype, with Footy Fest adding excitement from 13-14 February
- Thousands of people expected to travel to Perth for first AFL Origin match in 27 years
- AFL Origin and surrounding fan experiences are supported by the Cook Government through Tourism WA
- Cook Government diversifying the economy by fostering a vibrant and creative community
With just days to go until Western Australia hosts the sold-out AAMI AFL Origin, Perth is bursting with football fever as a jam-packed schedule of events and festivities rolls out across the city.
Origin Countdown, a live televised 90-minute national broadcast, kicks off tonight at 5pm at Optus Stadium's Southern Oval, where fans will have the chance to hear from some of AFL's biggest hosts, personalities, and past legends in-person, as well as players including Chad Warner and Tom Barrass.
From 3-8pm on Friday, 13 February and 1.30-5pm on Saturday, 14 February, Footy Fest will bring Stadium Park at Optus Stadium to life with a huge line-up of free activities for fans of all ages.
The two-day festival will feature football games, roving entertainment, food trucks, family friendly activities, live music, and WA market stalls.
A series of additional AFL Origin activations, supported by the Cook Government through Tourism WA, have also kicked off and will take place across Perth over the coming days, building excitement city-wide and delivering an unforgettable lead-up to the main event, including:
- open training sessions for both the WA and Victoria teams at Optus Stadium on Friday, 13 February, offering fans a chance to see star players including Marcus Bontempelli, Nick Daicos, Patrick Cripps, and more before the big game. Victoria will train from 3.30pm, followed by Western Australia at 4.40pm;
- a giant Sherrin football installation will take over Perth's Forrest Place, along with a dedicated AFL Origin merchandise store;
- an interactive digital scavenger hunt will guide fans through iconic Perth locations, with stops at the WA Museum Boola Bardip and the State Library, where WA football memorabilia will be on display;
- the match will be broadcast at live sitesYagan Squareand theFooty Fest big screen at Optus Stadium, giving fans a chance to come together to watch all the action; and
- a Legacy Mural titled Homegrown by Noongar artist Kamsani Achil Bin Salleh has been painted and is on display at Optus Stadium. The artwork represents pride in one's roots and a tribute to the respect gained through competition.
These events will activate the city and will enhance the AFL Origin event experience for visitors and locals by creating world-class and memorable moments.
Celebrations will take place across the entire State, with the Cook Government supporting regional community groups, sporting clubs, and hospitality venues to join in the festivities with AFL Origin branding and live match broadcasts, bringing Western Australians together in support of Team WA.
With more than 58,000 tickets snapped up for the sold-out match, thousands of fans are expected to travel to Western Australia for the event, which is the first AFL Origin in over 27 years, and the first to take place in Western Australia since 1997.
The influx of visitors and widespread activations complementing AFL Origin is expected to inject millions of dollars into Western Australia's economy while supercharging the local tourism, hospitality sectors, and local jobs.
Major events like this strengthen WA's reputation as a premier destination for sporting fixtures, while supporting local businesses, creating jobs, and contributing to the Cook Government's economic diversification strategy.
For more information or to purchase last tickets visit: Origin Countdown .
As stated by Tourism Minister Reece Whitby:
"Perth is ready to welcome fans from across the country for what will be a spectacular return of the highly anticipated AFL Origin, as well as the fantastic surrounding events Origin Countdownand Footy Fest.
"The energy across the city is already building and the festivities offer a fantastic opportunity for visitors and locals to be part of the excitement, with plenty of magic beyond the game itself.
"AFL is more than just a game to Western Australia - it's a celebration of sport, community, and the passion of Western Australians, and the Cook Government is proud to deliver a line-up of activities that everyone can enjoy, while also showcasing our State to a huge national audience.
"This Australian-exclusive event and city-wide celebrations reinforce Western Australia as a fantastic place to live, visit, and work and is a prime example of our government's economic diversification strategy in generating valuable tourism dollars for local businesses and local jobs."
As stated by Sport and Recreation Minister Rita Saffioti:
"There's so much excitement in the community ahead of AFL Origin, it's a proud moment for WA sport and is bringing some real vibrancy to the city.
"From Origin Countdown tonight to Footy Fest across the weekend, we're making sure fans of all ages can be part of this historic event and soak up everything AFL Origin has to offer.
"Hosting major events like AFL Origin is great for the local economy and the local community, which is why we are committed to delivering these experiences for the people of WA.
"These events attract thousands of visitors, support local jobs and inject millions into our local tourism and hospitality businesses.
"With 58,000 tickets sold and fans travelling from across the country, this event will deliver real benefits for WA jobs while showcasing Perth as a world-class destination for major sporting events."
