Events boom generates a record $286 million for WA economy

• Events injected whopping $286 million into WA's economy in 2023-24
• $184 million generated by major and mass participation events and remaining $102 million was delivered through regional and mass participation events
• Events form significant part of Cook Labor Government's tourism strategy in attracting tourists, generating visitor spend and supporting local industry and jobs

Western Australia's economy was boosted by a whopping $286 million from major, large regional and mass participation events funded by the Cook Labor Government last financial year.

Securing major events is an important part of the Cook Labor Government's plan to create local jobs and set up WA's economy for the future, and the strategy is clearly working with last financial year's total smashing the 2022-23 figure by more than $100 million.

More than a third of the economic impact was generated by three blockbusters - Coldplay ($43.3 million), WWE: Elimination Chamber ($36.2 million), and the FIFA Women's World Cup matches ($25.3 million).

Other events held throughout the financial year also delivered massive benefits to the WA economy.

The inaugural HSBC SVNS Perth, which took place over three days in January 2024, was the first global SVNS event to sell out on the final day, generating $7.4 million in economic impact and attracting more than 3,600 interstate and international visitors.

In May, a sellout crowd - including 2,000 people from outside WA - packed into RAC Arena for the Triple World Title Boxing event, headlined by Australian George Kambosos Jr and Ukrainian Vasiliy Lomachenko, injecting $4.1 million into the WA economy.

The Italian football spectacular to kick off the June long weekend also scored goals for WA. The historic match between AS Roma and AC Milan was the first time the two Serie A teams have played on Australian soil and took place in front of a 56,000 strong crowd at Optus Stadium. That event drew 7,500 people from interstate and overseas, delivering $8.9 million in economic impact.

Regional WA also benefited from a range of events held across the State, including Broome's Festival of the Pearl Shinju Matsuri - which injected $6.2 million into the local economy - and the Margaret River Pro, which generated $8.1 million. The Cook Labor Government currently has 25 major events secured for the 2024-25 financial year, supported by its $77.5 million events budget.

Economic impact assessments include measurements of the total number of visitors, their average length of stay and average daily spend at hospitality, accommodation, retail, entertainment and tourism businesses.

Comments attributed to Tourism Minister Rita Saffioti:

"Western Australia is well and truly on the map when it comes to major events.

"We're successfully securing global-scale events, putting the eyes of the world on Western Australia, bringing in thousands of visitors and helping our city to reach its full potential, while creating jobs, supporting small businesses and pumping millions into our economy.

"Our world-class facilities, including the international award-winning RAC Arena and Optus Stadium, provide incredible venues for major events, holding massive crowd numbers and delivering an event experience that often results in events returning to Perth time and time again.

"We have so much to offer visitors from all over the world, and this event strategy is clearing giving many thousands of people a reason to come to Western Australia and see all that we have to offer."