There are many things that come to mind when thinking about WA Bucket List experiences — catching a sunset at City Beach, buying an overpriced smashed avo, spending a summer’s day on Rottnest Island, and, for some reason, capturing a photo for your Instagram feed at the Blue Boat Shed. However, none compare to the experience of a Fremantle Dockers game day as Optus Stadium turns into a sea of purple.

In years past, going to an AFL game in Perth meant finding a local pub to catch up with friends before the game and making sure to leave the venue with enough time for you to arrive at your seats mere moments before bounce down.

This is no longer the case — the entire pre-game show and game day experience over the years has evolved to a point where it’s just as good as the on-field show.

With no two Fremantle Dockers game day experiences the same, you’re sure to have a Freo First next time you head to Optus Stadium to watch the team play.

Fremantle Dockers Game Day Experience

Getting to the game

Don’t let the thought of traffic jams or parking options put you off heading to a Freo game at Optus Stadium. Your ticket to the game comes with free public transport included, so hop on the train or bus and get amongst the rest of the Dockers fans heading to the game.

Affordable

Sometimes, watching the game at the best stadium in the world means tickets and everything inside becomes exorbitantly expensive. Thankfully, with Fremantle Dockers games, this isn’t the case and you don’t have to take out a loan to buy your ticket.

You can see Freo in action from $38.00, making it an affordable and great value for money day out, especially, when you add in all the pre-game fun.

Pre-Game Experiences

Every home game, Fremantle runs a number of activations around the stadium to entertain both the big and little fans.

The ‘Purple playground’ outside the stadium, located on the oval near Gate D, is the main attraction of the Purple Army with inflatable goals to test your kicking skills, a bouncy playground for the kids to burn off some energy, and often a face painter and airbrush tattoo station, all free of charge. 

Throughout the season, there is always something new to enjoy for each round. So far, there’s been a silent disco, a 360° camera station to capture your ultimate game day pose, a make-your-own poster station, roaming stilt walkers, and much more.

If you decide to simply arrive at the stadium just before bounce down, you’ll be missing out on half the fun. So head to the stadium a little bit early — we suggest arriving at least one hour before bounce down — and immerse yourself in everything the day has to offer.

Eats & Drinks

Over the years, the food offering at stadiums has evolved from the stock standard meat pie and average burgers to a wide range of food vendors that will satisfy even the fussiest of foodies — we recommend the chicken wings which are sure to keep you warm on a winter’s afternoon or night.

The drinks situation is the same — gone are the days of having a single beer tap and no other options. You can choose between a number of beers, from your staples to a number of craft beers, wine, spirits, and, of course, all of the non-alcoholic drinks you’d expect to see inside a stadium on game day.

With easy access to vendors, you won’t have to stray far from your seat to fuel up, meaning you don’t have to miss any of the on-field action.

Optus Stadium — Game Day Experience

Obviously, the most important thing about a Fremantle Dockers game day is the actual game itself.

Even before the first bounce, Fremantle has perfected the art of revving up the crowd and building an electric atmosphere in the stadium. Fire pyrotechnics light up the field while the rock and roll guitarist stands on top of Optus Stadium (literally) while cranking We Will Rock You. Now that is a pump-up.

As for the action on the field, Optus Stadium is not only considered one of the best stadiums in Australia, it has actually been awarded the most beautiful stadium in the world when it won Prix Versailles for Sports – for architecture and design.

Apart from being good-looking, Optus Stadium provides great views from almost every seat in the house, allowing you to experience the on-field action at its fullest.

When the on-field action takes a break during quarter-time and half-time, the live MCs keep the crowd buzzing and with interactive games on the big screens, you could be part of your Freo First dance cam. There are also a number of other games and activations throughout the breaks providing fans the chance to participate and win great prizes.

Win or lose, you’re sure to have a great game-day experience with the Fremantle Dockers at Optus Stadium.

Win Your Own Ultimate Fremantle Dockers Game Day Experience

We have partnered with the Fremantle Dockers to give one lucky Fremantle Dockers fan the ultimate game day experience.

The Prize includes:

• Two premium terrace tickets
• Inclusion in the Guard of Honour when Freo take on Port Adelaide on Sunday, August 20th
• A signed 2023 Fremantle Guernsey

For your chance to win, simply enter via Messenger or Instagram and follow the instructions.

This article was sponsored by Fremantle Dockers.