Western Australians Returning to Live
Performance in 2025 – But They’re Buying Tickets Differently
Western Australians are returning to live performance in strong numbers but rising costs and shifting consumer habits are reshaping how they buy tickets, according to new research released today by CircuitWest and Culture Counts.
The Shifting Seats: Trends in Live Event Attendance and Ticket Buying report shows that 62% of Western Australians attended a live performing arts event in 2025. Audience confidence is also strengthening, with 32% of respondents satisfied with how often they attend live events, up from 24% in 2022.
Key findings include:
- Affordability remains the biggest barrier to participation, with 65% of respondents citing ticket cost as a challenge, up sharply from 40% in 2022. Families feel this pressure most strongly.
- Younger Western Australians (18–39) are driving many of the behavioural shifts. They attend more frequently than older audiences and are far more strategic in how they buy tickets, signing up for presales, purchasing early, waiting for discounts or using resale platforms if plans change. They also show distinct preferences, favouring music, comedy and festivals.
- Across all ages, attending with a partner is the most common pattern, reinforcing the importance of shared experiences in live performance.
- Fun and entertainment remain the top motivator for attendance (54%), social connection continues to be increasingly important.
CircuitWest’s Executive Director Philippa Maughan said the findings highlight both renewed momentum and changing audience expectations.
“Western Australians are clearly reconnecting with live events, which is a positive sign for the performing arts sector. What is equally clear is that audiences are making more considered decisions about when and how they attend. Affordability, flexibility and the desire for shared experiences are all playing a bigger role in shaping attendance.
“We’re seeing a shift toward more deliberate, value‑driven choices, particularly among younger audiences who are attending more often but also buying tickets differently. They’re strategic, they’re digitally fluent, and they’re reshaping the traditional sales cycle. For presenters and producers, this means we need to think differently about how we price, promote and program work.
“This research gives us a strong evidence base to understand these changes and respond to them. It’s about ensuring live performance remains visible, accessible, and reflective of our audiences.”
CircuitWest represents and supports the performing arts venues, presenters and producers across Western Australia, connecting communities with high‑quality live performance. The organisation uses research, like Shifting Seats: Trends in Live Event Attendance and Ticket Buying report, to support the sector adapt programming, pricing and engagement strategies to meet changing audience expectations.
This project has been made possible through the support of the WA Government. The Shifting Seats: Trends in Live Event Attendance and Ticket Buying report is available here: www.circuitwest.com.au/resource/shifting-seats-trends-in-live-event-attendance-and-ticket-buying/
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Media Contact:
Weng-Si Cheang – Manager, Research and Audience Development
Phone: 08 6202 1045
Email: wcheang@circuitwest.com.au
Image: 2025 WA Showcase. Photo by Infinite Productions