BIG NEWS, SPORTS FANS.
The recent spate of world football heavyweights visiting our shores is set to continue in 2017.
Following on from visits by the likes of Manchester United, Manchester City, Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspurs, Real Madrid and AS Roma, it is now English Premier League giants Arsenal‘s turn to hit up the colonies.
The Gunners announced a partnership today with the NSW Government that will see the side compete in two pre-season games against A-League sides Sydney FC and Western Sydney Wanderers in 2017.
The multi-year tourism partnership will work to establish Arsenal’s brand on a large scale within the state, with the pair of games serving as the crowning jewel of the project. In turn, Sydney’s tourism will gain a vital boost, becoming a visible element to Arsenal fans back in England through broadcasting and advertising agreements.
Both games will be held at Sydney’s ANZ Stadium in July of 2017, with exact dates to be announced in the coming months.
Stuart Ayers, NSW’s state minister for tourism, sport, and major events, stated that the agreement was the first of its kind in our nation’s history.
“This Australian-first partnership will see Sydney and NSW showcased to a global audience every week, giving our state exposure to millions of Arsenal and English Premier League fans. We are proud to be associated with Arsenal, one of the world’s oldest and most prestigious football clubs, and look forward to welcoming them to Sydney in 2017.”
Meanwhile, Vinai Venkatesham, Arsenal’s chief commercial officer, stated that the partnership will provide unprecedented opportunities for both the government, and the club.
“We are excited to enter into this partnership with the NSW Government and Destination NSW. As well as being our first partnership agreement in Australia, the deal is unique in combining a tourism partnership with pre-season matches.
“We look forward to working with our new partner to promote NSW, before bringing our first team to Sydney for two games in 2017 in front of our passionate Australian fans.”
Both games will be held at Sydney’s ANZ Stadium in June of 2017. Exact dates will be announced in the coming months.
It’s expected that tickets for the games will go on sale by September next year.
Photo: Paul Gillham/Getty Images.
