Big events set to inject $100 million into WA with Coldplay and WWE heading to Perth

WA is gearing up for a $100 million windfall from the Coldplay and WWE wrestling extravaganzas, with the tourism operators licking their lips at what could be a new era for the industry.

Tourism Council WA boss Evan Hall said World Wrestling Entertainment’s Elimination Chamber event in Perth in February, expected to bring some of the world’s best wrestlers to Optus Stadium, would provide a $33 million boost to the WA economy.

This would be in addition to the $68 million injection expected when Coldplay and its energetic frontman Chris Martin hit Perth for two shows in November.

“This is game-changing territory,” Mr Hall said.

“The size and scale of the events that we are bringing in: the fact that they are Australian exclusive events, we are becoming a major events destination.

“The WWE, only in Perth can you see that. There is nowhere else you can see it in 2024, in the Asia-Pacific region.”

The $100 million windfall comes on the back of a $180 million tourism bonanza last financial year.

State Government figures released to The Sunday Times this week show major events injected more than $180 million into the state’s economy in 2022-23.

Major events included the UFC 288 event in February this year which attracted close to 8500 interstate and international visitors to WA and became the highest-grossing single event held in an indoor arena in Australia, with a total revenue of almost $6 million, breaking the previous record for the Rolling Stones concert at Qudos Bank Arena in 2014.