- The Western Sydney Wanderers’ Round 9 clash against Brisbane Roar has been confirmed for Stadium Australia on Saturday 2 December;
- The Wanderers will host cross-city rivals Sydney FC in a historic A-League/W-League Double Derby at Stadium Australia on Saturday 9 December;
- Stadium Australia Members will be able to attend both the Brisbane Roar game and the Double Derby as part of their Stadium Australia Membership;
- Tickets to Western Sydney Wanderers v Brisbane Roar clash on Saturday 2 December go on sale Tuesday 21 November via Ticketek;
- Secure your seat at the historic Western Sydney Wanderers v Sydney FC W-League/A-League Double Derby here.
Julian Keith
GET ready football fans! A huge December is ready to roll at Stadium Australia following confirmation that the Western Sydney Wanderers’ Round 9 clash with Brisbane Roar has been moved to the Olympic venue – a juicy prelude to the historic A-League/W-League Double Derby the following weekend.
The Wanderers will host the Roar at the fan-friendly time of 5.30pm on Saturday 2 December before they face fierce cross-city rivals Sydney FC in both the W-League and A-League Sydney Derby on Saturday 9 December.
It will be W-League Wanderers v Sydney FC clash at 5pm, followed by the A-League Derby at 7.50pm . . . back-to-back at the venue that has just hosted the Socceroos’ unforgettable FIFA World Cup qualifying game.
The Game Plan
Following postponement of the Wanderers’ Round 7 A-League match against Wellington Phoenix due to concerns with the condition of the pitch at Spotless Stadium, Football Federation Australia and the Wanderers jointly decided to move the club’s next home game to Stadium Australia – Sydney’s Olympic stadium and the home of so many of Australia’s greatest football moments.
Wanderers CEO John Tsatsimas said the move allowed the club more certainty that the 2 December match would go ahead without issue.
“The postponement of the Round 7 match against the Wellington Phoenix at Spotless Stadium was a decision that was taken to ensure player welfare and the integrity of the competition were not compromised. This is something we do not take lightly, with our Members and fans an absolute priority in every decision we make,” said Tsatsimas.
“We would like to thank Stadium Australia for accommodating us for this match as logistically, even given the two weeks’ notice, hosting a match takes significant preparation to accommodate our Members, partners and fans – something that was simply not possible for last weekend’s match.
“Due to the turf rectification works occurring across a number of Western Sydney venues including Penrith and Campbelltown during this period, options to move matches are extremely limited.”
Stadium Australia curator Graeme Logan – arguably the most experienced stadium groundsman in Australia – said Sydney’s unique climate presented challenges for grounds teams at this time of year because of the necessary transition from winter rye to summer couch grass.
“As the warmer weather kicks in during spring, the winter rye grass starts to die off very quickly in the Greater Sydney area and there is a need to transition to couch grass, which thrives in the summer months.
“The good news is that we are well ahead of the game at Stadium Australia and the pitch was in great shape for the Socceroos’ World Cup qualifiers and will be even better for the Summer of Football games as the couch grass continues to dominate.”
Bring On 2018
The Wanderers are scheduled to play a further FOUR A-League games at Stadium Australia in the New Year, starting with the traditional New Year’s Day game against Melbourne City on Monday 1 January.
Wanderers also play Melbourne Victory on Friday 19 January, Brisbane Roar on Saturday 7 April, and Adelaide United on Sunday 15 April.
A date and venue for the postponed Round 7 game will be announced in due course.
The Wanderers’ W-League squad will also feature at Stadium Australia on New Year’s Day against Melbourne City, and against Melbourne Victory on 19 January.
Stadium Australia Members are entitled to attend all A-League and W-League matches at Stadium Australia – and EVERY. SINGLE. GAME in all codes including NRL Grand Final, State of Origin, Bledisloe Cup and more – as part of their Membership. Stadium Australia Membership enquiries here.
Or why not watch these action-packed A-League game in style? Choose between a Private Suite, Zone Box or Centreline Seats to entertain your important clients. Enquiries here.
