Perth has been chosen to host the largest annual athletics event in Australia – the Australian Track and Field Championships – in 2022 and 2025.
The event has the potential to attract thousands of visitors to Western Australia and provide significant exposure through television coverage – delivering millions of dollars of economic and job-creating benefits to the State.
Delivered by Athletics Australia and supported by Tourism Western Australia, Venueswest and Athletics West, the events will take place at the WA Athletics Stadium in late March or early April of those years.
Winners from the events will determine Australia’s champion athletes across more than 1,000 events – including short and long-distance races and relays, long jump, triple jump, shotput, discus, hammer throw, pole vault, steeplechase and hurdles.
The Championships are the primary qualification trial for athletes wanting to compete at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, and 2022 and 2025 World Athletics and World Para Athletics Championships.
The WA Athletics Stadium was designed to give athletes the best chance for outstanding athletic results and has played host to many high-quality events and top athletes.
The Championship events were originally scheduled to take place in Perth in 2021 and 2024 but were rescheduled because of COVID-19.
The announcement follows confirmation that Perth will host a number of games in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
As stated by Tourism Minister David Templeman:
“Securing the Australian Track and Field Championships in 2022 and 2025 will provide fantastic exposure for WA and highlight what makes our State such an incredible holiday destination.
“Mass participation events such as the Championships have the potential to attract thousands of competitors, supporters and spectators to WA – which will provide support to our hotels, hospitality operators and other small businesses.”
As stated by Sport and Recreation Minister Tony Buti:
“Thousands of Australia’s elite athletes will battle it out for gold when Perth hosts the Australian Track and Field Championships in 2022 and 2025.
“This is a fantastic opportunity for aspiring athletes all over Western Australia to see their heroes compete ahead of the Commonwealth Games.
“It’s fantastic to see mass participation events returning to Perth again, and I look forward to seeing more of these events inspiring the younger generations to get involved at their local clubs.”
