Austadiums isnt the most accurate source though. I could be wrong but I think in basketball configuration the areans capacity is approx a little more than 13,600. Ive been to games where there was over 13,500 and it looked packed.

13,800

The number that turns up and the tickets sold can vary. Not everyone that buys tickets turns up, and not every member (considered ticket sold) turns up either.

The 3 biggest Wildcats crowds have been 13,611 so I assume that's the max capacity in basketball mode

Can a Perth person/supporter possibly let me know why the hell does the Arena need a six week turnaround to allow the Wildcats to play in the Arena due to the Tennis. I'm dumbfounded as to why so long for a silly Tennis Tournament that only runs for 6-7 days and has no bearings on points or standings on the tennis circuit.

I was in LA a few years ago and in a 3 day period the Staples Centre had 4 major events on straight. Conference in the day on the first day followed by a Concert the same night, Basketball game on the next afternoon and Ice Hockey on the third day.

I just really don’t understand, are we really that pathetic in Australia or is there a valid reason?

A - agree with you! The setup for concerts and basketball games can be converted within a day no problems. Tennis needing a whole month for essentially a one week use is bizarre. Has to be a good reason for it. Its always amazed me how much importance the government placed on such a minor tennis tournament when building the venue. Its like it was specifically built for tennis with other events to fill out the remaining 51 weeks of the year.

Every season it is a similar, excessively-long gap in the Cats home game schedule though. This question has come up before and I'm still none the wiser about it. Doesn't seem to be a problem switching between basketball, concerts, Disney shows, etc.

Must be so us Perthites can enjoy the beach on the weekend for a few weeks of the year instead of attending 11.30am games...

You'll find that it gives the Wildcats a chance to stop getting on flights each week. They have taken the opportunity to stay on the East coast during consecutive away weekends.

Maybe the Wildcats like it as it gives them home games to start and finish the season strongly.

"Must be so us Perthites can attend home opens on the weekend for a few weeks of the year instead of attending 11.30am games... "

FYP.

The theoretical maximum for "basketball" is around 14,300.
However that would seem to include "floor" seating suing all available space, not allowing for the corporate seating, media, and the VIP section.

There are also two weird bits in the southern corners, where in theory plans allow for seating to be erected above (or in) the major doorways, but that is never done.
So yes, the max capacity for NBL is 13,611

As to why it takes so long to get ready for the Hopman cup? I don't know
Maybe they have to relay the Plexacoat each time?
Or perhaps, given the long lead times for some concerts, its easier to just keep that period free every year?

And yes, a lot of extra work and effort went into having an opening roof, just for tennis.
NB: Last I heard, this was to be the last year of the Hopman cup, which would be sad, as it has become a Perth institution, and the only time we get to see top players in Perth.

Given that 5 of the 16 players at this year's Hopman Cup were in the top 10 of men's or women's world rankings, it would seem it's not so meaningless to some.

Not an ATP or WTA event. Meaningless.

As opposed to what?
People need to remember that Australia's status in Tennis is largely historical.
Perth has been fortunate with the Hopman cup.
If you were looking for a venue for a new event, Perth would have to be about 500th on the list, so to have an event that actually attracts top players is quite something.

"its a meaningless tournament that no one cares about so it will be good for basketball once it is history"

So by "no one," you mean not you.
and by "good for basketball" you mean like how the Hopman Cup was the ONLY reason we got a new Basketball Stadium?
yeah, meaningless.

I personally find watching tennis to be about as riveting as watching hair grow, but I'm not so ignorant as to dismiss its huge global popularity, nor just what a coup it is to have platers like Feddara and Williams coming to Perth.

Its because we can only afford to employ about 10 staff to complete pack down and setup based on Australian standard pay rates, plus weekend penalties, night penalties, superannuation, meal allowances, union dues, tax, uniforms etc etc.

At Staples centre they prob have 100 people on minimum US wage who can barely afford to live doing the job.

to have an event that actually attracts top players is quite something.

A Federer quokka snap and Hopman Cup appearance that cost Tourism WA bucketloads.

Well unlike you Dazz I follow tennis and the Holman Cup is utterly meaningless and pointless as it isn't played for points ranking. Federer came this year due to a huge third party appearance fee being paid (what a joke).

Ankle good point about our slow stadium turnarounds in relation to the exorbitant wages paid to monkeys to do anything unskilled in this country.

Hopman*

"It quite literally is something, yes, but those top players play matches that mean nothing in the scheme of things"

They obviously mean something for those players, ie preparing for the Aus Open. From an outsiders' view it seemed the Hopman Cup had a long run in the sun where it was popular both with attendance and TV viewers, but seems to have dwindled in recent years?

The Hopman Cup has had record attendances in recent years, since it relocated to PA from Burswood. However those record crowds were only due to Federer playing and the Aussie teams. Most of the other matches looked to be pretty small crowds but probably still a bit more than when they were at Burswood.

I dont have much interest in tennis generally but its clear this tournament doesnt mean an awful lot. When the players are often seen giggling and enjoying themselves its obviously not taken too seriously.

I suspect a lot of the top players that choose to play at the Hopman do so knowing that they can drop a game and play again the next day without impacting on rankings. Good preparation for the Aus Open.

If it dies off, then its probaby due for a new format as the Hopman was pretty boring imo.

They obviously mean something for those players, ie preparing for the Aus Open. From an outsiders' view it seemed the Hopman Cup had a long run in the sun where it was popular both with attendance and TV viewers, but seems to have dwindled in recent years?

Do Dazz or Perth world have lives lol. Non stop posting mostly insignificant garbage.

"When I said matches that mean nothing I guess what I should have said was matches with meaningless results."

Yeah fair call. I remember watching it the first decade or so and it seemed massive, big crowds, entertaining contests, good media coverage. I guess the WA govt like it because it gives worldwide exposure, if that's so then I imagine they measure on how effective that is. Does it still get big crowds? I haven't watched it for quite a few years now.

It gets good crowds to sessions that feature a Federer or Williams, but pretty underwhelming otherwise. But I think the worldwide exposure thing is more the problem. I don't think too many people in other states tune in, let alone people in other countries.