Cricket Australia (CA) will bring the Big Bash League final to Canberra, a city without a franchise.
CA announced on Wednesday that Manuka Oval will host the Twenty20 title decider on January 28, a tick over two weeks before the 2015 World Cup starts in Melbourne.
BBL boss Mike McKenna explained the demands associated with hosting the one-day tournament were part of the decision, but that CA also liked the idea of a neutral venue.
"Manuka Oval has undergone significant work in recent times to upgrade facilities for fans," McKenna said in a statement.
"We think it can provide a great backdrop to the biggest match of the tournament, while exposing a new market to the excitement of the league."
The WACA has hosted all three BBL finals to date due to the Perth Scorchers' success.
WACA chief executive Christina Matthews suggested her organisation was content with the change announced by CA.
"They have chosen a truly neutral venue and not another team's ground," Matthews said.
"It was maybe the only way for CA to have the match played on the other side of the country and it is a credit to WA cricket that they weren't willing to take the risk for the fourth year in a row."
Allrounder Dan Christian pointed out the potential downfall of the decision, using the example of Melbourne's two teams playing off in the decider.
"Instead of Stars vs Renegades in front of 70k at MCG, Finch v KP will be in Canberra??," Christian posted on Twitter.
Manuka hosted this year's Sheffield Shield final.
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