The Perth Scorchers are set to break the club’s attendance record on Saturday night.
Camera IconThe Perth Scorchers are set to break the club’s attendance record on Saturday night. Credit: James Worsfold/Getty Images

Big Bash League: Perth Scorchers on track for record crowd in final after 34,000 tickets snapped up on day one

Jackson BarrettPerthNow

The Perth Scorchers’ Big Bash League final on Saturday night looks almost certain to be played in front of the biggest crowd in the club’s history, with fans scrambling to secure their seats on the first day of ticket sales.

More than 34,000 of the hottest tickets in town were snapped up in just four hours of sales on Sunday, with fans left empty-handed in the frenzy now needing to wait until later in the week.

A crowd of more than 50,000 is anticipated for the powerhouse club’s eighth BBL Final and third in a row, which could beat the Scorchers’ previous record of 52,960 from a 2018 semifinal against the Hobart Hurricanes — their first ever match at Optus Stadium.

Dylan McArdle is a Perth Scorchers member who has secured tickets to their home final next Saturday.
Camera IconDylan McArdle is a Perth Scorchers member who has secured tickets to their home final next Saturday. Credit: Kelsey Reid/The West Australian

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That would also make it the biggest attendance for a game outside of matches between both Melbourne clubs at the MCG and a turnout of more than 54,478 would make it the third biggest in the competition’s history.

Another allocation of tickets will be made available later this week, with some set aside for travelling fans, once the Scorchers’ opponents are decided on Thursday night.

The final attendance will also included WACA members and premium hospitality tickets, which are available from Monday.

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A feverish crowd of 41,126 watched a strong bowling performance and the cool head of captain Ashton Turner steer Perth to a six-wicket win over the Sydney Sixers on Saturday night and book their spot in the final.

The Sixers have a second chance on Thursday to continue the two clubs’ storied rivalry and play the Scorchers in the decider for the third straight season.

Perth has hosted four BBL finals in the tournament’s 12-year history — including the first three — but this will be the first at Optus Stadium. The reigning champions also earned hosting rights last season, but COVID restrictions meant the match was played at Marvel Stadium.

The club’s latest backs-against-the-wall push towards a championship has again endeared them to the Perth public, overcoming illness, unavailability and injuries to marquee players including Mitch Marsh and Cam Green.

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 28: Scorchers fans show their support during the Men's Big Bash League match between the Perth Scorchers and the Sydney Sixers at Optus Stadium, on January 28, 2023, in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)
Camera IconScorchers fans are finding all sorts of ways to show their support. Credit: Paul Kane/Getty Images

The once-flailing league has enjoyed an upturn this year, which even BBL general manager Alistair Dobson said the Scorchers were the lifeblood of.

“Their fans respond, they see how passionate the Scorchers player are and the administration are for Perth and such a parochial market. We see that in our merchandise sales, we see that in all our metrics of how much the Perth cricket fans love the Scorchers,” he told The West Australian earlier this season.

“That doesn’t just happen in one year, that takes years of building and loyalty and progress in that market and I think equally such a phenomenal stadium they play in now and the Scorchers put on as good a show as anyone and they use all the toys and the tricks that Optus Stadium provides and that complements the on-field.

“They’re a phenomenal team and club and they set the benchmark in so many ways.”

The heaving crowds, where Optus Stadium has comfortably led the way across the league the summer, comes after a lean crowd for Perth’s Test match sparked concerns over declining interest in the sport.

Scorchers star Jason Behrendorff missed out the last time the Scorchers hosted a final at the WACA — against the Sixers back in 2017 — after a season plagued by injury.

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 28: Cameron Bancroft of the Scorchers takes selfies for spectators following the Men's Big Bash League match between the Perth Scorchers and the Sydney Sixers at Optus Stadium, on January 28, 2023, in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)
Camera IconCam Bancroft celebrates with Saturday night’s bumper crowd. Credit: Paul Kane/Getty Images

He says playing in front of a bumper home crowd would be special and he hopes the game sells out.

“To play a home final is going to be electric and looking forward to hopefully 50-odd thousand people,” he said.

“I’d love a sell-out, you can’t say no to a sell-out. We’d love that.

“I love it here at the Scorchers. It’s a special group, something we’ve built over a long period of time.

“I’m so proud of all the boys and I love it here, so hopefully we can go again on Saturday.”

Build-up to the final will begin on Monday with a special fans event hosted by Scorchers players between 12.30pm and 1.30pm at Forrest Chase.