New turf among upgrades at Perth Rectangular Stadium ahead of FIFA Women's World Cup

A new hybrid grass pitch is being installed at Perth Rectangular Stadium (HBF Park), while other venue upgrades are also nearing completion to enhance player and spectator experience.

The turf works are part of the $35 million project to revamp the ground ahead of five international football matches being played there during the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023.

Natural grass has been removed and is being replaced with 9500 metre² 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.

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 15th 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 the lights, which are lower energy with a 50,000-hour life span per fitting compared to 6,000 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 includes five games at Perth Rectangular Stadium:

• Denmark v People's Republic of China on 22nd July;

• Republic of Ireland v Canada on 26th July;

• Panama v Jamaica on 29th July;

• Haiti v Denmark on 1st August; and

• Morocco v Colombia on 3rd August.

Final tickets went on sale at fifa.com/fifaplus/en/tickets