Upgrades at the Sam Kerr Football Centre, Litis Stadium and Kingsway Reserve have been completed, ensuring Western Australia is ready to welcome some of the world’s best footballers for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026.

From next week, Litis Stadium, the Sam Kerr Football Centre and Kingsway Reserve will serve as official training venues for the tournament, which will be held in Australia from 1 to 21 March. Perth will host match fixtures at Perth Stadium and Perth Rectangular Stadium, while these upgraded community venues will play a key role behind the scenes as training bases for competing nations.

The WA Government has delivered significant investment across the three sites, aimed not only at preparing for the international spotlight but also at leaving a long-term legacy for local clubs and players.

At Litis Stadium, an $800,000 State Government investment, delivered in partnership with the City of Vincent, has funded upgraded lighting and facility improvements. The enhancements strengthen the venue’s capacity to host elite training sessions and night matches, while also improving access for local clubs, women’s competitions and junior football.

Perth MLA John Carey said the improvements would make a real difference for the clubs, players and volunteers who use the venue year-round, noting that better lighting and irrigation create more opportunities for training and competition close to home.

The Sam Kerr Football Centre has undergone a major $4 million expansion, delivering two new turf pitches, upgraded lighting, shade structures, fencing and landscaping. The expansion increases the Centre’s capacity for junior programs, community participation and talent development pathways, while also providing a world-class training environment for elite competition.

The completion of Stage 2 lifts the WA Government’s total investment in the facility to more than $55 million, building on Stage 1 works that delivered two floodlit hybrid turf pitches, three five-a-side pitches, a 700-seat grandstand, modern change rooms, a sport science centre and Football West’s administration facilities.

Cannington MLA Ron Sao described the new playing fields as opening the door for more local children to get involved in football, reinforcing the Centre’s role as both a high-performance base and a community hub.

Kingsway Reserve in the City of Wanneroo has also received a further $750,000 investment to upgrade its audio system, electronic scoreboard and seating. This builds on a previous $2.6 million upgrade through the WA Recovery Plan that improved lighting and facilities at the venue.

Landsdale MLA Daniel Pastorelli said Kingsway Reserve is fast becoming a leading football facility in the northern suburbs and that hosting international teams would inspire the next generation of players.

Sport and Recreation Minister Rita Saffioti said the combined upgrades ensure Perth is ready to host a world-class tournament while delivering enduring benefits for grassroots sport.

She said the facilities will welcome elite international teams during the AFC Women’s Asian Cup and continue to serve local families and communities long after the final whistle. The investment, she noted, supports more training opportunities, more matches and increased participation for women and girls across Western Australia.

Tickets for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 matches are available through Ticketmaster, while the full tournament schedule can be viewed here.

With international teams soon to train on WA soil and thousands of fans set to attend matches across the city, Perth’s upgraded football facilities are ready to take centre stage, showcasing both elite performance and a strong community legacy.