Let games begin! World Transplant Games to kick off in Perth 2023

  • Perth to host 2023 World Transplant Games
  • Event has potential to attract more than 1,700 visitors and generate millions in spend
  • Supported by McGowan Government through Tourism WA, Department of Health, VenuesWest and Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries 
  • The McGowan Government has cemented its support for the 2023 World Transplant Games with a funding agreement through Tourism Western Australia.

    The event is also supported by the Department of Health, VenuesWest and the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries.

    Perth was announced as a host city in January after Transplant Australia submitted a successful bid to the World Transplant Games Federation for the 2023 event.

    To be held from April 15, 2023 to April 21, 2023, the games will bring together organ and tissue donation recipients to compete in around 16 sports including swimming, athletics, tenpin bowling, table tennis and cycling.

    As the world’s largest organ donation awareness event, the games promote organ and tissue donation to improve access to life-saving transplants for terminally ill Australians.

    In addition, a series of events including cultural evenings, donor recognition and a gala dinner will showcase Perth’s hospitality and tourism offerings.

    Out-of-State and local athletes will compete at the seven-day event, which has the potential to attract more than 1,700 visitors and millions of dollars in visitor spend for the State.

    This prestigious event will see transplant athletes compete at some of the State’s premier sporting venues including HBF Stadium, WA Athletics Stadium, Bendat Basketball Centre, Gold Netball Centre and Champion Lakes Regatta Centre.

    Supporting mass participation events such as the World Transplant Games is part of Tourism WA’s work to attract more visitors to the State.

    As stated by Tourism Minister David Templeman:

    “I’m delighted to see the McGowan Government come together in support of the 2023 World Transplant Games. Securing this event is great news for Perth and will build on the exciting events calendar we’re building for the benefit of our State.

    “Attracting mass participation events that bring a significant number of visitors helps support our local businesses, such as hospitality and accommodation providers.”

    As stated by Health Minister Roger Cook:

    “The World Transplant Games show the importance of organ and tissue donation and how it can save and transform the life of a person.

    “Many people who have received organ transplants or tissue donations have had a congenital or genetic condition, illness or sudden organ failure.

    “Fortunately, Australia has one of the best transplant success rates in the world with research showing the majority of Australians support organ and tissue donation.

    “The World Transplant Games are a beacon of hope and show how lives can be dramatically changed for people, thanks to others giving them the gift of life.”

    As stated by Sport and Recreation Minister Tony Buti:

    “These athletes are truly inspirational and it will be an honour to watch them compete in such a wide array of sports.

    “This international sporting event not only shines a spotlight on the athletic achievements possible in the transplant community but shows the wider public the many benefits of physical activity.

    “Western Australia continues to prove that it is an enviable host of major marquee events such as the World Transplant Games through access to world-class sporting venues and to do so in the same year that we will host the FIFA Women’s World Cup reinforces that.”

    /Public Release. View in full here.