Perth Superdrome

Perth Superdrome, known as HBF Stadium under a commercial naming rights arrangement, is a sports complex in Perth, Western Australia. It is home to the Western Australian Institute of Sport (WAIS). The venue is located in the suburb of Mount Claremont, approximately 8 kilometres (5.0 mi) west of Perth's central business district.

Not to be confused with Perth Oval, known as HBF Park; or Arena Joondalup, known as HBF Arena.

HBF Stadium
The Cauldron
HBF Stadium main entrance
Former namesChallenge Stadium (1996–2014)
LocationStephenson Ave
Mount Claremont, WA, 6010
Coordinates31°57′09″S 115°46′57″E
OperatorVenuesWest
CapacityBasketball / Netball: 4,500
Opened1986 (1986)
Tenants
Western Australian Institute of Sport
Perth Wildcats (NBL) (1987–1989, 2002–2012)
Perth Lynx (WNBL) (1988–1989)
Perth Orioles (CBT) (1997–2007)
West Coast Fever (ANZ / NNL) (2008–2018)
Website
www.hbfstadium.com.au

The complex was opened in 1986. It received its current name through a naming-rights sponsorship deal with the HBF Health Fund in 2014.[1] Although the previous sponsorship with Challenge Bank expired in 2002, the Challenge Stadium name remained in use until 2014.[1][2]

Facilities include an Olympic-standard aquatic centre with five pools, a diving tower, gymnasium, two arenas, and several basketball courts, as well as a café, childcare centre, sports store, office accommodation and a museum.

The main indoor arena has seating for 4,500 spectators, or for over 5,000 people including standing room. Regular exhibitions and expos are hosted at the venue, as well as national and international sporting events.

History
Interior of the arena during the 2014 Sino-Australia Challenge

Between 1987–89 and 2002–12, the Perth Superdrome was the home venue of the Perth Wildcats, who play in the National Basketball League (NBL). The Wildcats played in four NBL Grand Final series at the stadium, in 1987, 2002/03, 2009/10 and 2011/12, with the only championship coming in 2009/10. During Wildcats' games, the venue was referred to as "The Jungle". The Wildcats' final game at the stadium was their 87–86 win over the New Zealand Breakers in Game 2 of the 2011/12 NBL Grand Final series in front of 4,400 fans.

The aquatic centre hosted the FINA World Aquatics Championships in 1991 and 1998. The Australian Swimming Championships were held there in 1993,[3] as well as the national short-course championships in 2001 and 2012.

Beginning in 2008, the stadium served as the main home court for the West Coast Fever, who play in the National Netball League. To the Fever, the stadium is known as "The Cauldron".[4] The Fever moved all their home matches to Perth Arena at the end of the 2018 season.

In 2013, a WAIS High Performance Service Centre commenced construction. It now comprises a strength and conditioning gym, multi-purpose training and testing area, 80-metre (260 ft) four lane indoor runway for long jump, sprinting and throwing sports, hydrotherapy and recovery pools, physiology and environmental laboratories, consultation rooms, athlete amenities and office space.[5]

As a music venue

For most of the 2000s, following the closure of the Perth Entertainment Centre, HBF Stadium was the main venue used by major touring artists, both Australian and international, when visiting Perth. Since the opening of Perth Arena in 2012, the number of concerts at HBF Stadium has decreased.

2000s

2003

2004

  • P!nk – 30 April 2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010s

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2016

2017

2018

References
  1. "Challenge Stadium loses its name". One Perth. 4 May 2014. Archived from the original on 16 July 2014. Retrieved 16 July 2014.
  2. "Division 65: Western Australian Sports Centre Trust, $13 278 000" (PDF). Extract from Hansard. Parliament of Western Australia. 29 May 2002. pp. 178a–179a. Retrieved 13 November 2014.
  3. "The Year in Detail" (PDF). Australian Swimming Inc. Annual Report 1992–93. Australian Swimming: 3. 1993. Archived from the original (PDF) on 25 April 2012. Retrieved 12 May 2013.
  4. "West Coast Fever presents THE CHALLENGE". westcoastfever.com.au. Retrieved 19 January 2018.
  5. "2012–2013 Annual Report" (PDF). VenuesWest. Western Australian Sports Centre Trust. 2013. p. 6. Archived from the original (PDF) on 12 March 2015. Retrieved 13 November 2014.
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