A spectacular sea of orange engulfed Optus Stadium on Sunday as a record-breaking crowd of 55,018 passionate fans witnessed the Big Bash League final, where the Perth Scorchers faced off against the Sydney Sixers. This monumental turnout has officially shattered the venue's previous cricket attendance record, creating an electrifying atmosphere for one of the season's most anticipated matches.
Historic Crowd Surpasses Previous Benchmark
The total number of spectators for this decisive clash comfortably exceeded the former record of 53,886, which was established during the thrilling 2022-23 season finale when the Scorchers triumphed over the Brisbane Heat. Despite a brief delay at the start due to intermittent light rain, nearly every seat around the iconic stadium was occupied by the time the first ball was bowled at 4.20pm, showcasing the unwavering enthusiasm of cricket supporters.
Scorchers Lead the Way in BBL Attendance
The Perth Scorchers have consistently been the crowd leaders throughout the Big Bash League season, drawing an impressive total of 272,626 fans across their seven home games. Earlier this month, the club also set a new benchmark for their best-attended regular season match, with 48,608 spectators flocking to their winner-takes-first encounter against the Melbourne Stars.
With an average attendance of 38,947 per game this season, the Scorchers comfortably outpace the second-placed Gabba, which averages 30,028. Remarkably, each of Perth's home fixtures has attracted at least 27,000 fans, underscoring their strong local support and the growing popularity of the BBL in Western Australia.
Memorable Moments and Stadium Configuration
The hosts delivered a dominant performance that kept the crowd engaged and cheering throughout the evening. One of the loudest reactions of the night occurred when Cooper Connolly was ruled to have grounded a catch, giving Sixers batter Joel Davies a reprieve and prompting a cacophony of boos from the animated spectators.
It is worth noting that the all-time best crowd figure at Optus Stadium remains 61,241, achieved during the 2019 Bledisloe Cup clash between Australia and New Zealand. Configuring the venue for cricket requires sectioning off seats behind both sightscreens, which slightly reduces the maximum capacity compared to other sports, making this new cricket record even more impressive.
This record-breaking event highlights the enduring appeal of the Big Bash League and the Scorchers' significant role in driving fan engagement, setting a high standard for future cricket matches at Optus Stadium.
