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UFC 305 to elevate Perth as premier sports tourism destination in 2024

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With UFC 305 confirmed for Perth in August 2024, WA anticipates a tourism surge, bolstering its reputation as a top sports tourism hub.

The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) will return to Perth later this year to deliver another knockout success for Western Australia‘s tourism industry.

On the back of the highly successful WWE Elimination Chamber event, the Cook Government has secured UFC 305 at RAC Arena on Sunday, 18 August 2024 – creating a winter blockbuster of international sport, taking place the day after the Wallabies vs Springboks Rugby Championship Test Match at Optus Stadium.

UFC 305 will be the UFC’s only Pay-Per-View (PPV) event in Australia in 2024 and broadcast live to more than 975 million TV households in more than more than 170 countries and territories in 50 different languages.

The return of UFC comes after the Perth-hosted UFC 284: MAKHACHEV VS VOLKANOVSKI event set a series of records in 2023 – including the highest-grossing ticket revenue for any arena in Australia, beating The Rolling Stones’ 2014 record in Sydney.

UFC 284 injected a massive $16 million into the WA economy and attracted more than 8,400 out-of-state visitors, with more than 33,300 hotel room nights booked over the event weekend in February 2023.

The 2024 event is expected to draw similar crowds, as the sport’s dedicated fans flock to Perth once again to watch some of MMA’s top athletes go head-to-head in the octagon.

The arrival of UFC 305 in Perth will include several fan-favorite events over three days including the ceremonial weigh-in for the athletes at RAC Arena, and an open athlete workout at Elizabeth Quay.

Comments attributed to Premier Roger Cook:

We said we’d make Perth one of the events capitals of South East Asia, and my Government is delivering – from Coldplay to WWE to the Matildas and more.

“The return of UFC to Perth in 2024 is a major coup for Western Australia, following the roaring success of UFC 284 that injected $16 million into our economy last year.

“UFC has proven to be a huge drawcard with a dedicated fan base, and we expect to see thousands of out-of-state visitors travel to Perth to attend this blockbuster.

“Major events mean more local jobs, more spending for local business, and millions of eyes around the globe fixed on WA – providing a long-term tourism boost.”

Comments attributed to Tourism Minister Rita Saffioti:

We are very excited to once again be hosting UFC at RAC Arena, and we expect UFC 305 to be another major success for WA’s tourism and hospitality industry.

“We know that sporting fans love to come to Perth to witness a high-stakes sporting event in one of our world-class sporting venues, and the weekend of 17-18 August will be a knockout with UFC 305 at RAC Arena and the Wallabies vs Springboks at Optus Stadium.

“Securing and hosting major events builds WA’s reputation as the fastest growing events destination in the South East Asian region, and the swift return of UFC to Perth proves that strategy is working.”

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George, in his capacity as an intern, diligently oversees the flow of news, assists in the publication of content, and delves into the strategies of social media distribution. He is currently pursuing his studies in Business Administration at the Athens University of Economics and Business.

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