Cricket Australia today announced that the final of the domestic Twenty20 competition would be played at a neutral venue - at Canberra's Manuka Oval.

Which isn't as big a deal for fans of a team from the east coast who may qualify for the final. But how many Perth fans will pay for an airfare to watch the Scorchers in a final of the shortened style of the game?

With a spot in the Champions League up for grabs, Perth could face a hostile crowd for the final, even if it dominates the home and away fixtures.

Cricket Australia says that the decision was made in the best interests of creating a national competition.

Cricket Australia’s Executive General Manager of Operations Mike McKenna said: “We have looked at a number of options for hosting the final of the Big Bash League, given the unique summer of international cricket that lies ahead and the significant demands that will place on venues around the country.

“That consideration, combined with our efforts to further establish the BBL as a truly national competition was part of our decision making.

"Manuka Oval has undergone significant work in recent times to upgrade facilities for fans. 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.

“It will follow two semi-finals played across the Australia Day weekend in other cities that will see teams compete for a place in the final and Champions League T20.

“Our goal is to create a carnival-like atmosphere at Manuka for the match and ensure it is a great event, much like finals of other major sporting competitions around the world which are held at neutral venues."

Manuka Oval has benefitted from the Federal and ACT Governments investing $5 million to install light towers at the ground and further funding to resurface the playing arena and add new seating.

It will also host a Carlton-Mid One-Day International between Australia and South Africa on 19 November and three matches of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 in February and March.

The WACA will also host three World Cup matches, a One Day International between England and India and a final of the Tri-Series competition.

The WACA earned the right to host the final in the first three seasons of the competition after and is disappointed that it won't be given the chance to do so again.

"Whilst we are disappointed to have not been given the rights to host the final, we are comfortable that, given CA’s desire to hold the final in a neutral venue, they have chosen a truly neutral venue and not another team’s ground," Scorchers CEO Ms Christina Matthews said.

“With The Furnace having hosted the last three finals, 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.”