Sydney FC will play another of European football’s elite clubs when English Premier League giants and FA Cup holders Arsenal FC head to Australia for a massive pre-season friendly match at ANZ Stadium.
The Sky Blues have attracted the might of the Gunners following their hugely successful games against Tottenham Hotspur FC and Chelsea FC in May and June, which saw a combined crowd of over 155,000 fans in three days watch Graham Arnold’s men.
Sky Blues Chairman Scott Barlow believes it further cements Sydney FC’s reputation as Australian football’s most recognisable global brand.
“We are extremely proud to be hosting Arsenal, one of the world’s premier football clubs in Sydney in 2017,” he said.
“This announcement is a major coup for Sydney FC and for Australian sport.
“It demonstrates once again that when the world’s biggest and best football clubs come to Australia, it’s Sydney FC they want to play.
“This game follows our hugely successful games against Chelsea and Tottenham earlier this year and is a continuation of the strong relationship we have built with Destination NSW and ANZ Stadium.
“I look forward to welcoming Arsenal to Sydney in July 2017 and I anticipate another sell-out crowd and another historic night Australian football.”
Arsenal FC will arrive in Sydney in July 2017 as part of a new strategic partnership with the NSW Government.
NSW Minister for Trade, Tourism and Major Events and Minister for Sport, Stuart Ayres, said the partnership would see the state promoted to Arsenal fans around the world.
“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,” he said.
Stadium Australia Group Managing Director, Daryl Kerry, said the unique partnership gave fans something to look forward to at ANZ Stadium in July 2017.
“Arsenal are one of the most successful clubs in the English Premier League, the reigning FA Cup holders, and a club steeped in history and with an enormous following here in Australia,” Mr Kerry said.
“The partnership with Destination NSW is a fantastic initiative and to have the Gunners bringing their elite squad to ANZ Stadium will have fans all over the country and overseas making plans to visit Sydney.”
The Sky Blues matches against Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea recently won Australia’s Favourite Event, Best Sporting Event and Best Achievement in Marketing and Communications at the 2015 Australian Event Awards.
Full details of the matches featuring Arsenal at ANZ Stadium in July 2017 will be announced soon, with tickets expected to go on sale in August 2016.
