West Coast have won the battle to host the first AFL game at the new Perth Stadium in round one next year.
The Eagles are set to host Sydney on the Sunday of round one, 2018, at the 60,000 seat, $1.4 billion sports stadium.
West Coast CEO Trevor Nisbett was thrilled to receive the news.
“We’re really excited that the AFL is giving us the opportunity to showcase the first game at the new stadium,” Nisbett told westcoasteagles.com.au.
“It is a great outcome and will give our members who have supported us over the last 31 years the opportunity to usher in a new era at the best stadium in the southern hemisphere.
“We are thrilled to be playing Sydney, one of our great rivals, in what should be a wonderful launch for football at the new stadium."
It's not all bad news for Fremantle however, who will host the first derby at the new complex in round six, and the first night game at Perth Stadium in round two against the Bombers.
The Dockers were also granted an extra game at the new arena against the Suns, who had to sell home games off from Metricon Stadium which will be out of action during the Commonwealth Games.
This means that Fremantle will play a total of 13 games at Perth Stadium in 2018, including four of the first six rounds, a fact that delights Chief Executive Steve Rosich.
“Our members and supporters can look forward to our first home game of the 2018 AFL season at Perth Stadium being a round two clash with Essendon on Saturday night in the first ever game under lights at Perth Stadium and what will also be the first nationally broadcast AFL game on free-to-air TV from the new stadium,” Rosich said.
“We are also thrilled with the prospect of hosting our first ever annual Len Hall game at Perth Stadium in round five and being able to incorporate the venue’s cutting edge lighting and audio facilities into our Anzac commemoration ceremony."
Other notable round 1 games include Hawthorn and Collingwood at the MCG on Saturday night, Richmond and Carlton on the traditional Thursday night, Melbourne and Geelong at the MCG on the Sunday afternoon and Essendon hosting Adelaide on Friday night at Etihad stadium.
