• Sebastian Vettel and Mick Schumacher to form German “super team” at 2025 Race Of Champions (ROC) at Accor Stadium in Sydney, March 7-8.
• A rare chance for Australian fans to see four-time F1 world champion and three-time Australian Grand Prix winner, Sebastian Vettel, in action
• Race Of Champions (ROC) will head Down Under to Accor Stadium (Sydney’s 2000 Olympic Stadium) – the first time the event has been held in the Southern Hemisphere.
• Some of motorsport’s all-time greats will head to Sydney to race head-to-head in identical cars on ROC’s iconic 950m parallel track, where the winner is decided by driver skill alone
• More superstars from Formula 1, IndyCar, Le Mans, Supercars, World Rally & Rally X to be announced in coming weeks
• Tickets from $49 now on sale through Ticketek.

Two of the biggest names in world motorsports, Sebastian Vettel and his younger German compatriot Mick Schumacher, have been confirmed for the 2025 Race Of Champions at Accor Stadium in Sydney, March 7-8.

The pair will come together to create a German “super team” in the ROC Nations Cup component of the event on Friday and then go head-to-head in what is set to be a star-studded field for outright “Champion of Champions” honors on Saturday evening.

The announcement of the high-profile German pair comes just hours before tickets officially go on sale for the unique event which has been hosted by some of the world’s leading stadiums.

Seven-time Supercars champion Jamie Whincup was confirmed as part of the field when the event was launched last Wednesday, and several big names are expected to follow in coming weeks.

The event comes two weeks after the 2025 Supercars opener at Sydney Motorsport Park (Feb 21-23) and one week before the opening round of the F1 World Championship in Melbourne (March 13-16).

Vettel won the individual ROC at London’s Olympic Stadium in 2015 and teamed with Michael Schumacher to win the Nations Cup for Germany no less than six times.

Vettel then teamed with Mick Schumacher to finish second in the ROC Nations Cup in Mexico in 2019, while the younger of the pair finished second in ROC Sweden in 2023.

This may be the last time Australian fans get to see Vettel, a four-time F1 world champion, compete on “local” soil.

Vettel, 37, became the youngest F1 world champion in 2010 and then went on to win the next three world titles for Red Bull.

During his F1 career he won 53 races, took 57 pole positions and made 122 podium appearances. He is no stranger to local fans having won the Australian F1 Grand Prix no less than three times in 2011 for Red Bull and 2017 and 2018 for Ferrari.

He also finished on the podium four times with a second in 2012 and third-placed results in 2013-15-16.

Schumacher, 25, is the son of seven-time F1 World Champion Michael Schumacher, and has forged his own successful career after learning his craft in karting.

He was European F3 champion in 2018 and then won the World F2 Championship two seasons later.

He graduated to a full-time F1 drive in 2021 and 2022 and is currently 3rd Driver for the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 team while competing for Alpine in the World Endurance Championship in a Hypercar, where he recently finished third in the Fuji six-hour in Japan.

ROC is renowned for gathering some of the best drivers in the world, including superstars from Formula 1, Le Mans, IndyCar, Nascar, Supercars, World Rally and Rallycross.

Race Of Champions President and Co-Founder Fredrik Johnsson said “It is great news on the day we officially go on sale that Sebastian Vettel and Mick Schumacher have both confirmed that they will compete in the first ever Race Of Champions in Australia, the 7 & 8 March at Accor Stadium in Sydney,”

“We have a commitment to create the best event we possibly can for the Australian fans and to be able to announce Sebastian and Mick on the back of seven-time Supercars champion Jamie Whincup is fantastic.

“We are having discussions with many more international stars from a wide-range of disciplines and look forward to regularly adding to our grid and giving Australian fans more and more to look forward to.

“The interest we have received after announcing that ROC will come to Australia for the first time was already huge, I’m sure the confirmation of Sebastian and Mick competing will take it to an even higher level.” said Johnson.

Sebastian Vettel – Career highlights:

• 4-Time F1 World Champion
• 53 F1 wins
• 57 F1 poles
• 122 F1 podium finishes

“I’m delighted to be coming back to the Race Of Champions and teaming up with Mick again,” said Vettel.

“It will be exciting to race in the former Olympic Stadium in Sydney that looks like it will be a great venue for the Race Of Champions. Sydney is one of the most beautiful cities in the world and I think Fredrik (Johnsson) and his team have selected an incredible venue for the next chapter of ROC.

“I am also supportive of ROC’s efforts taking steps towards becoming a sustainable motorsport event, which started at ROC Sweden.”

“All the drivers who have the honour to participate in ROC fall in love with the event, because it reminds us about why we first started racing; pure competition and of course with the identical cars there are no excuses.”

“I will do everything I can to help Germany win another ROC Nations Cup Title with Mick on the Friday evening, but I will not be doing him any favours when we are going for the outright win on the Saturday night, especially as he beat me in the Semifinals of the Individual ROC in Sweden in 2023!

“At ROC the racing is always intense on the track and everyone wants to win, but it’s also about putting on a great show for the fans.”

Mick Schumacher – Career highlights:

• European F3 Champion
• World F2 Champion
• F1 driver (2021-22)

“Australia is one of my favourite places and representing Germany together with Sebastian at ROC Sydney will for sure be big fun,” said Schumacher.

“After finishing 2nd in the individual ROC in Sweden in 2023 and in the ROC Nations Cup in ROC Mexico with Seb, the goal this time has to be the overall winners trophy both in the ROC Nations Cup on Friday night and in the individual Race Of Champions on Saturday. 

“I very much look forward to meeting all the other drivers and spending time with them during the Race Of Champions weekend in Sydney. I am sure the drivers will have a crazy good time together and put on a super show for the Australian fans.”

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The Race Of Champions will run over two nights with a purpose built 950m track taking centre stage at Accor Stadium, Sydney’s Olympic Stadium. The ROC Nations Cup takes place on Friday the 7th, with drivers paired in teams based on nationality to bid for the title of ‘World’s Fastest Nation’. 

The Saturday night will see the individual Race Of Champions, when all teamwork goes out of the window and it will be a battle for individual glory and the ‘Champion of Champions’ title.

Hospitality and Track side packages and General Admission Tickets starting from $49.00 for children and $69.00 for adults. Tickets are on sale now through Ticketek.

Event Schedule

Friday 7th March – ROC Nations Cup – to crown the world’s fastest Nation

Accor Stadium, Sydney

• Doors Open 5:30pm
• Show Starts 6:30pm*
• Race Starts 7:30pm

Saturday 8th March – Race Of Champions – to crown the “Champion of Champions”

Accor Stadium, Sydney

• Race Starts 7.30pm
• Doors open 5:30pm
• Show Starts 6:30pm*

Keep up with all the latest news at www.raceofchampions.com, Race Of Champions on Facebook and @raceofchampions on Twitter, Instagram and TikTok. The official hashtag for the event is #ROCSydney

For ticketing and event information www.tegsport.com.au

• Race Of Champions (ROC) will head Down Under to Accor Stadium March 7th and 8th 2025
• The first time the iconic event has been hosted in the Southern Hemisphere
• Some of motorsport’s all-time greats will head to Sydney to race head-to-head in identical cars on ROC’s iconic parallel track, where the winner is decided by driver skill alone
• Two huge nights of racing sees a celebration of motorsport pitting some of the best from Australia against the superstars from Formula 1, IndyCar, Le Mans, World Rally & Rally X
• 7x V8 Supercar Champion and Australian motorsport legend Jamie Whincup will be in action
• Many more racing superstars to announced with tickets from $49 going on sale on 11am Wednesday 16th from Ticketek

Race Of Champions (ROC), TEG Sport and Venues NSW are thrilled to announce that the next edition of the iconic race will take place at Accor Stadium, Sydney March 7th and 8th 2025. This marks the first time the event has ever been hosted on Australian soil.

After a spectacular run on the snow and ice, 60 miles from the Arctic Circle in Sweden in 2022 and 2023, ROC will now travel over 15,000 kilometres across the globe to the sun-drenched landscape of Sydney for a brand-new high-octane challenge on the field at Accor Stadium.

With a history dating back to 1988, the Race Of Champions has been held at some of the world’s greatest venues, including Beijing’s Bird’s Nest Olympic Stadium, Stade de France in Paris, London’s Olympic Stadium and Wembley Stadium, Mexico City’s Foro Sol, plus a wide range of exotic locations all over the globe from Bangkok, Barbados, Miami, Riyadh, Mexico City and the Arctic Circle in Sweden.

The ROC racing format is a unique, winner-takes-all contest that gives drivers from various disciplines of motorsport the opportunity to test their talents against competitors they would never typically encounter. ROC is renowned for gathering some of the best drivers in the world, including superstars from Formula 1, Le Mans, IndyCar, Nascar, World Rally and Rallycross – legends like Michael Schumacher, Sebastian Vettel, Sébastien Loeb, David Coulthard, Marcus Grönholm, and Jenson Button. This also includes other international stars like Nascar champions Jimmie Johnson, Kurt and Kyle Busch, and Jeff Gordon; Ryan Hunter-Reay and Josef Newgarden of IndyCar; Formula E Champion Lucas Di Grassi; Extreme sports star Travis Pastrana; and Indy 500 champs Juan-Pablo Montoya and Helio Castroneves.

The Race Of Champions will run over two nights with the purpose built track taking centre stage at Accor Stadium, seeing the ROC Nations Cup take place on Friday 7th, with drivers paired up in teams based on nationality to bid for the title of ‘World’s Fastest Nation’.

The Saturday night will see the individual Race Of Champions, when all teamwork goes out the window and it will be a flat-out battle for individual glory and the ‘Champion of Champions’ Title.

The event will not only celebrate the global motorsport elite but also give an opportunity to celebrate the rich motorsport history of Australia with top Australian drivers competing head-to-head with the world’s best. Sydney, known for its iconic landmarks and vibrant sports culture, will be an exhilarating stage for the Race Of Champions.

It what will be the ultimate motorsport experience in Sydney in 2025, fans can expect a festival-like atmosphere surrounding Race of Champions, with entertainment, activities, and a chance to witness some of the world’s best drivers up close in one of the most stunning cities in the world.

Hospitality and Track side packages and General Admission Tickets starting from $49.00 for children and $69.00 for adults will go on sale 11.00am AEDT Wednesday 16 October from Ticketek. Head to tegsport.com.au to join the waitlist to secure early access.

Keep up with all the latest news at www.raceofchampions.com, Race Of Champions on Facebook and @raceofchampions on Twitter, Instagram and TikTok. The official hashtag for the event is #ROCSydney

For ticketing and event information www.tegsport.com.au

Event Schedule

Friday 7th March – ROC Nations Cup – to crown the world’s fastest Nation

Accor Stadium, Sydney

• Doors Open 5:30pm
  • Show Starts 6:30pm*
  • Race Starts 7:30pm

Saturday 8th March – Race Of Champions – to crown the “Champion of Champions”

Accor Stadium, Sydney

• Doors open 5:30pm
  • Show Starts 6:30pm*
  • Race Starts 7.30pm

• Extra Tickets + Infinity Tickets released for upcoming shows on record-breaking Music Of The Spheres World Tour
• Ayra Starr announced as support across all dates

Following the unprecedented demand for tickets to Coldplay’s record-breaking Music Of The Spheres World Tour, the band has just released a limited number of additional tickets for their Accor Stadium shows in November 2024.

Head to livenation.com.au to access these additional tickets from 8am AEST today Tuesday 24 September.

Coldplay will perform four shows at Accor Stadium in Sydney. Additional support has also been announced, including trailblazing singer songwriter, Ayra Starr and hip-hop artist Shone, who will join show opener Emmanuel Kelly in a powerhouse line-up!

Coldplay Music Of The Spheres at Accor Stadium

• Wednesday 6 November
• Thursday 7 November
• Saturday 9 November
• Sunday 10 November

For further information: livenation.com.au

Main image credit – Anna Lee Media

Al Aseel, Sydney’s beloved Lebanese restaurant group, is set to make its debut in a stadium setting with the launch of its newest location at Accor Stadium on Thursday, May 23rd. The 300-seat restaurant marks a significant milestone for the award-winning restaurant brand, renowned for its authentic Middle Eastern cuisine and generational recipes.

With a large-scale catering operation servicing corporate spaces and airlines, alongside wholesale and retail elements, Al Aseel has come a long way since its humble beginnings in Greenacre in 2002. What started as a modest eatery with plastic chairs and basic tables has transformed into a truly modern dining experience, offering a taste of traditional Lebanese flavours in a contemporary setting.

“Establishing Al Aseel at Accor Stadium is a significant milestone for the entire team,” says Georges Badr, Al Aseel’s Group General Manager. “This new location marks an exciting chapter for our brand, allowing us to share our generational recipes and vibrant dining experience with a much wider audience. Whether it’s a sporting event, concert, or any other occasion, we look forward to elevating the stadium experience for guests by offering a taste of our rich culinary heritage.”

At the heart of Al Aseel’s success lies a commitment to preserving time-honoured recipes passed down through generations. Group Executive Chef’s vision for the Accor Stadium menu is to offer their signature banquet, “The Feast,” featuring a selection of salads, cold and hot mezza dishes and skewers from the grill.

“Our recipes have been passed down through generations, and our chefs have curated a menu using locally sourced produce and quality ingredients,” Badr adds. “Our production kitchen services Al Aseel restaurants, airlines, catering, and food service clients, ensuring consistency and quality across all our offerings.”

With its rich flavours, vibrant atmosphere, and commitment to authenticity, Al Aseel’s new restaurant at Accor Stadium promises to elevate the stadium dining experience, offering a taste of Lebanon in the heart of Sydney.

Al Aseel at Accor Stadium is located at the Southern end of the Members area on Level 2.

Conditions of entry apply, and the restaurant is only open for Stadium Members and their guests on all event days, and on NRL Premiership regular season match days for home team members.

Bookings can be made for event days by visiting alaseel.com.au

About Al Aseel:
Al Aseel is an award-winning Lebanese restaurant group with multiple locations across Sydney, including Alexandria, Bankstown, Castle Hill, Greenacre, Parramatta, and Penrith. With a focus on authentic Middle Eastern cuisine and generational recipes, Al Aseel has evolved from a modest eatery to a modern dining experience, offering catering services, wholesale, and retail elements alongside its renowned restaurants.

Football Australia today announced that the CommBank Matildas will host reigning AFC Women’s Asian Cup™ champions and FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023™ participants, China PR at Accor Stadium in the second of the two match “’Til It’s Done Farewell” international series to be played during the May/June FIFA Women’s International Window.

On Monday 3 June, through the support of the New South Wales (NSW) Government via its tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW, fans will see Accor Stadium welcome the CommBank Matildas for their final match on home soil before they depart for the Paris 2024™ Olympic Games.

The CommBank Matildas enter this series against China PR on the back of twelve consecutive sold out matches on home turf, including three sold out crowds of 75,784 – the largest-ever crowds for women’s football matches in the country – at Stadium Australia (Accor Stadium) during their FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023™ campaign.

Football Australia Chief Executive Officer, James Johnson, said: “As we have seen over the past twelve months, the CommBank Matildas are a box office entertainment juggernaut with an incredible streak of 12 sold out home matches with over 600,000 fans in attendance and millions watching the broadcast of these encounters.

“Our senior national teams are Australia’s teams, and it is important we play matches in as many cities and regional centres as possible, and we are thrilled that the next set of CommBank Matildas’ home matches we will continue to open the door for all Australians to connect and witness the team live.”

“We appreciate the support of the New South Wales and South Australian Governments in partnering with us to provide the CommBank Matildas with memorable occasions for their final matches in Australia as they prepare for the Paris 2024 Olympics,” concluded Johnson.

Australia and China have a long-standing history with the two nations having met on 42 occasions extending back to 1988. The last meeting was in February 2020, where the two nations played out a 1-1 draw at CommBank Stadium in Sydney.

New South Wales Minister for Jobs and Tourism, John Graham, said:  “Congratulations to the CommBank Matildas who have once again captured the hearts and admiration of the nation in qualifying for the Olympics last week.”

“Sydney has kicked another goal as the nation’s home of football, securing the CommBank Matildas’ final match in Australia before they begin their pursuit for gold. This match between the CommBank Matildas and China in Sydney is a fantastic opportunity for fans from across the nation to get behind the CommBank Matildas at a packed Accor Stadium before they head off to Paris,” expressed Graham.

Tickets for the Accor Stadium match will go on sale to Football Account holders at 2.00pm AEDT on Friday, 15 March 2024 and the General Public from 2.00pm AEDT on Monday, 18 March 2024.

Tickets will start at $20 for Juniors, $25 Concessions, $35 Adults, and a Family Ticket starting at $90. Tickets from Ticketek.

The CommBank Matildas’ “’Til It’s Done Farewell” international series against China PR will be broadcast live thanks to Football Australia’s broadcast partner, 10 Paramount.

CommBank Matildas v China PR
Date: Monday, 3 June 2024
Kick-off: TBA
Venue: Accor Stadium, Sydney, New South Wales
Broadcast: 10 Paramount
Tickets: Football Account Pre-sale from 2.00pm AEDT on Friday, 15 March 2024. General Public from 2.00pm AEDT on Monday, 18 March 2024. Tickets from Ticketek.