The Perth Lynx are on the brink of a historic moment for the club, poised to smash their all-time attendance record this Friday night. The catalyst for this surge in fan interest is the highly anticipated first home game of Chinese basketball sensation Han Xu.
The "Han Effect" Fuels Unprecedented Ticket Rush
The arrival of the 211cm centre has generated a wave of excitement across Perth and beyond. After a stunning debut last weekend against Canberra, where she scored 22 points and made two blocks in a 24-point victory, fans are rushing to see her in person. The club forecasts nearly 3000 spectators at the Perth High Performance Centre for the clash with the Southside Melbourne Flyers.
This figure will utterly demolish the previous record of 1753, set at the smaller Bendat Basketball Centre during the 2024 grand final. Lynx General Manager Chris Earl described the phenomenon as "awesome" and a direct result of the team's strategic moves.
"We're really seeing the Han effect," Earl told The West Australian. "Everyone at the club is excited about playing in front of a full house. This is where we want to take the club."
Strategic Risks Paying Off for Lynx
The record crowd is a validation of several bold decisions made by the Lynx management before the season began. They signed Han Xu knowing she would miss the first eight games due to overseas commitments. Furthermore, they moved all home games to the larger Perth High Performance Centre to build a bigger fan base.
Earl acknowledged these were calculated risks that are now yielding major rewards. "To sign Han was a big call because we could have been 0-8 and staring down the barrel by the time she arrived," he said. "Now we're in a really strong position... It's nice that it is all coming to fruition."
The club's efforts to refresh its brand and connect with the community are also bearing fruit. A significant portion of the ticket sales, nearly 1000, have been to the local Chinese community, who have embraced Han Xu as one of their own.
"We saw a group of 40 people turn up at the airport so they could be there when Han arrived at 11 o'clock at night," Earl revealed. "They're really behind her." The support is so significant that representatives from the Chinese Consulate will attend Friday's game, following China's Ambassador to Australia, Xiao Qian, who watched her debut in Canberra.
A New Era for Women's Sport in Perth
This event represents more than just a single game; it's a milestone for the profile of women's basketball in Western Australia. Earl sees it as a prime opportunity to showcase the sport and attract new long-term supporters.
"Now we get the opportunity to showcase both that and women's sport," he said. "Hopefully this brings in some new fans who will follow us for the rest of the season."
With the Lynx aiming to cement a top-three spot on the WNBL ladder, the energy from a record-breaking home crowd could provide a powerful boost as they look to capitalise on their strong position and the star power of Han Xu.
