The AFL has agreed to move to the new Perth Stadium for the 2018 season after lengthy negotiations Premier Mark McGowan described as "robust".
The league reportedly threatened to remain at Domain Stadium in Subiaco into next year after the state government rejected its demand to have other sporting codes subsidise any shortfall in income it may suffer by moving to the new facility.
But WA Football Commission chairman Murray McHenry rejected those claims.
"Who made the threat? It was only ever written in the paper - it was never said by the board at any stage," Mr McHenry told reporters on Sunday.
AFL chairman Richard Goyder backed him up.
"Mark and I looked at each other and we just said 'there's no way that we're not playing football at this stadium in 2018. Now let's sort this out'," Mr Goyder said.
The premier said the talks had been stressful.
"It was a difficult process and a very involved process," Mr McGowan said.
Under the deal, $10.3 million of income generated by football at the stadium will be provided to the WA Football Commission each year for an initial 10-year period, which Mr McGowan says will ensure grassroots football continues to prosper.
As part of a second deal between the WA government, stadium operator VenuesLive, the AFL, the West Coast Eagles and the Fremantle Dockers, 50,000 seats will be available for members of the teams for their AFL premiership season home games.
At least 6000 tickets will be available to non-AFL club members for every one of those matches.
Only 1385 Perth Stadium memberships will be on offer for fans who want to see every event at the new facility.
There were no hints as to which teams will be the first to compete there and kicking the season off with a western derby was ruled out.
But Mr McGowan said he'd like to see the Fremantle Dockers play Collingwood.
More night games look likely, given the stadium has stellar lighting, but not before the footbridge across the river is complete in July.
The premier was tight-lipped about which companies were competing for the naming rights amid rumours Optus could be the successful bidder.
The stadium will officially open with a free Community Open Day on January 21 and will be followed by entertainment and sporting events ahead of the AFL premiership season.
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