BRITISH 1980S pop star George Michael will be the first act to play at the new Perth Arena when it finally opens later this year.

Perthnow can reveal the superstar will mark the official opening of the controversial stadium in November.

Premier Colin Barnett announced Michael’s Symphonica Australian tour will kick-off in Perth as the top billing in a gala opening event on November 10.

“West Australians deserve a state-of-the-art venue to attract international entertainment and sporting events to Western Australia and they are now finally about to get one,” Mr Barnett said.

“When the Liberal-National Government delivers the Perth Arena in November 2012, the world’s best touring acts will have a venue in Perth of unrivalled quality.”

The Premier said there would be many opportunities for the community to get involved in opening celebrations.

“Planning for the opening program continues but activities will include a free concert featuring bands from WA on Friday, November 2,” he said.

“The State Government will provide funding towards this event and it is proposed that an allocation of 500 double tickets be set aside for workers on the Perth Arena project.”

Michael, the former frontman for Wham who went on to forge a highly successful solo career, was due to play in Perth in March but cancelled his tour after being struck down with a near-fatal case of pneumonia.

His management today announced his return to Australia later this year.

The development comes two weeks after The Sunday Times revealed British pop sensation One Direction will be the first tickets to go on sale at the new venue.

But Michael will be the debut act.

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Tickets to see the popular boy band will go on sale in the next month. They will play two shows in Perth in September next year.

The British-Irish boy band, made up of Liam Payne, Louis Tomlinson, Niall Horan, Harry Styles and Zayn Malik, played at the TV Week Logies recently, followed by shows in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.

A spokeswoman for Sony Music Entertainment Australia, which is handling the band's Australian tour, said the Perth venue had not yet been confirmed but said the band would play two shows in Perth in 2013.

Ticket arrangements for the George Michael concert are yet to be revealed.

Sandalford Estate, where the singer has been booked to perform in March, will offer a full refund on tickets and says original ticket holders will be offered priority access to some of the best seats at Perth Arena.

In March, Premier Colin Barnett announced the opening date for the 15,500-seat venue and said the operator, AEG Ogden, had started work at the Arena in preparation for the opening weekend.

GALLERY: Take a tour of Perth Arena

Mr Barnett said the Arena would reach practical completion in August, as promised, and would then be followed by a three-month commissioning period.

The total cost of the project is now at $548.7 million, after the State Government reached agreement with the builder over contractual claims related to its design.

“While it cost more than it should have, I’m confident the arena will prove to be a wonderful venue for all West Australians to enjoy," the Premier said.