Perth Lynx hope fans will seize upon the opportunity to attend games at HBF Stadium this season with the club hoping a positive response will lead to more games being played at the bigger venue.

The Lynx have moved three games away from the Bendat Basketball Centre after the state government invested $1.6 million to upgrade HBF Stadium. Up to 4000 people can attend games at the bigger venue, doubling the capacity for the Lynx.

The club has been a force on the court with two grand final appearances from the last three seasons, but that hasn’t translated to significantly bigger crowds.

The new WNBL fixture has Lynx drawn to play Geelong, Adelaide and Southside at the venue. The club hopes moving to a place that offers a better experience for fans will see crowds increase and HBF Stadium become a permanent home.

“It is definitely something we want to explore - making that our new home,” Lynx general manager Samantha Macpherson said.

“We want to show our game on a bigger stage to more people but we also know that the game night experience is super important to our fans and we want to showcase a more exciting game night experience which we know they’ve been crying out for.

“We’re going to be able to have more entertainment, find solutions for parking, have more food and beverage outlets as well as some more corporate opportunities. We will be able to elevate what we do at Bendat.

“There’s three games and they’re all in the school holidays. We’ve pitched it as good family time on a variety of different days.”

They will open their season with a grand final re-match against Southside Flyers at Bendat Basketball Centre on Saturday November 2. The Lynx lost last season’s grand final in heartbreaking circumstances, given they had multiple opportunities to win the championship in the dying stages of game two.

Tip-off will be at 7pm and the majority of Perth’s home games will be played at a later time than in previous seasons.

Macpherson said the team was looking forward to the opportunity to start their season with a high profile contest, despite the pain of the grand final defeat.

“We will get that one out of the way nice and early,” she said.

“We’re really excited about that game. We know that Southside always have a formidable squad. It’s exciting to come up against them in round one, debut our new team and hopefully come away with the win.”

PERTH LYNX FIXTURE

Sat Nov 2, 7pm v Southside Flyers at Bendat Basketball Centre

Wed Nov 6, 6.30pm v Townsville Fire at Bendat Basketball Centre

Sat Nov 9, 5pm v Adelaide Lightning at Adelaide 36ers Arena

Thurs Nov 14, 3.30pm v UC Capitals at AIS Arena

Sat Nov 23, 7:30pm v Sydney Flames at Bendat Basketball Centre

Wed Nov 27, 6:30pm v Townsville Fire at Bendat Basketball Centre

Sun Dec 1, 9.30am v Southside Flyers at State Basketball Centre

Thu Dec 5, 7pm v Bendigo Spirit at Bendat Basketball Centre

Sat Dec 7, 4.30pm v Sydney Flames at Quay Centre

Thu Dec 12, 7pm v UC Capitals at Bendat Basketball Centre

Thu Dec 19, 3:30pm v Bendigo Spirit at Bendigo Stadium

Mon Dec 23, 6.30pm v Geelong Boomers at HBF Stadium

Sun Dec 29, 9.30am v UC Capitals at AIS Arena

Sun Jan 5, 1pm v Adelaide Lightning at HBF Stadium

Sun Jan 12, 9.30am v Geelong Boomers at Geelong Arena

Wed Jan 15, 4pm v Bendigo Spirit at Bendigo Arena

Sat Jan 18, 7.30pm v Southside Flyers at HBF Stadium

Sat Jan 25, 2.30pm v Sydney Flames at Quay Centre

Sat Feb 1, 4.30pm v Adelaide Lightning at Adelaide 36ers Arena

Fri Feb 14, 7pm v Geelong Boomers at Bendat Basketball Centre

Sun Feb 16, 12pm v Townsville at Townsville Entertainment Centre