Optus Stadium back to full capacity

Optus Stadium will return to full crowd capacity, with caps on crowd numbers removed by the WA State Government on Tuesday.

Health Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson revealed the capacity would return to 100 per cent amid a number of changes to restrictions, which will come into effect at midnight on Thursday, just in time for West Coast’s Friday night home clash with Richmond.

Vaccine requirements for the venue are also being removed, while fans will no longer need to wear a mask at games.

“All capacity and gathering limits will be lifted,” Ms Sanderson said.

“There will be no limits on community sports, stadiums, or major events.

“This is a credit to everyone who has moved to protect others .WA has secured the soft landing we wanted.”

The capacity had sat at 75 per cent during the summer, before being slashed to 50 per cent right on the eve of the AFL season due to a peak in coronavirus cases in March.

It meant the Eagles and the Dockers could host crowds of only up to 30,000, before the capacity was raised again before the March western derby, which 38,920 people attended.

61,118 people attended last year’s historic AFL grand final at Optus Stadium, which was the biggest crowd at the Stadium since the pandemic began.

The average attendance for the first five games at the venue this season was 31,645.

Fremantle's first home game with possible maximum attendance is Saturday week against North Melbourne.

IMAGE: Fox Sports.