Organisers have partly blamed “heavy downpours” for a big decline in crowd numbers attending this year’s Perth Royal Show.
Figures released on Monday reveal the number of people through the turnstile for one of Perth’s biggest events dropped more than 30 per cent from last year’s show.
The Royal Agricultural Society of WA said around 300,000 people attended the show — down from 438,636 last year.
The attendance level is one of the lowest recorded in the past decade, only marginally higher than 2017, when visitor numbers dipped to 279,000.
RASWA chief executive Robyn Sermon said organisers had expected attendance would be lower this year, after the government withdrew generous ticket subsidies.
”We anticipated a lower attendance this year following last year’s record-breaking ‘kids free’ show, and the 2025 numbers are in line with our 10-year average for non-kids free years,” she said.
“This year’s attendance also reflects the impact of rain on two of the eight days — including heavy downpours on the final day, which is traditionally one of our busiest.”
Confirmation of the attendance drop comes after anecdotal reports of dwindling crowd numbers prompted shadow minister for agriculture Lachlan Hunter to urge the Cook Government to cough up more to support families with discounted tickets.
High ticket prices were seen as a disincentive, with many families paying more than $100 just to get through the turnstile, before shelling out for rides, food and showbags.
This year, while entry was half price for kids under 16 and still free for children under four, adult tickets were $50.
Last year, when adult ticket prices were slashed by half and kids’ entry was free, the show achieved its highest attendance in more than a decade, with nearly 440,00 flocking through the gates during the eight-day event.
“The 30 per cent decrease in attendees was noticeable as I walked around the show, and many vendors also commented that their turnover was lower while costs for staff and stalls had increased,” Mr Hunter said.
“There are a range of ways the State Government could and should support WA families so they can continue to attend the Royal Show in future years — whether that’s free entry for kids, or half-price tickets for adults.”
A State Government spokesperson said it was proud to have supported families to attend this year’s show by slashing ticket prices to half-price for children, students and concession card holders. Around 20,000 free tickets were distributed to disadvantaged groups.
“Our $2.8 million investment also assisted with the nightly fireworks and drone show, and included a new $660,000 grant program to support agricultural shows across WA,” the spokesperson said.
“It’s disappointing that just two days after the show, the Opposition have felt the need to critique and focus on any negative aspect they can about this iconic WA event that was enjoyed by thousands of people each day.”
Ms Sermon said she had received “exceptional” feedback about this year’s show from patrons.
“We have had such positive feedback on the 2025 Perth Royal Show with many congratulating us on the new layout, improved agricultural exhibits and the larger variety of activities on offer,” she said.
“I am very proud of the benefits to many community organisations that the show creates and the connection between regions and the city that are created over the week.”