- English Premier League leaders Chelsea agree to exclusive Sydney match
- More than 225,000 fans expected at 3 major events at the Stadium during one colossal week
- Chelsea v Sydney FC to contribute more than $8 million to the NSW economy
- One of the BIGGEST years at Sydney’s Olympic stadium since the 2000 Games
Arthur Stanley
CHELSEA FC – one of the world’s most popular football clubs and the current tearaway leaders of the English Premier League – will bring an elite squad to play Sydney FC at Stadium Australia on Tuesday 2 June.
Confirmation by the NSW Government of a second football classic featuring an EPL team this winter has set up one of the most spectacular weeks of sport ever seen in Sydney.
The whirlwind #WeekOfBlockbusters at Stadium Australia includes:
- Wednesday 27 May: Opening game of the State of Origin series, NSW Blues v Queensland Maroons
- Saturday 30 May: Tottenham FC v Sydney FC
- Tuesday 2 June: Chelsea FC v Sydney FC
The three majors will be preceded by two outstanding regular-season games in the NRL and Super Rugby – reigning NRL premiers South Sydney v Parramatta Eels on Friday 22 May; and the Super Rugby Final rematch between NSW Waratahs and NZ Crusaders on Saturday 23 May.
More than 225,000 fans are expected through the gates of Stadium Australia for the #WeekOfBlockbusters alone, and 280,000 for the five-game super stretch of elite sport.
Tickets for the Chelsea FC v Sydney FC football classic go on sale to the general public at 11am Wednesday 6 May. Stadium Australia Members will be entitled to premium seating at all games as part of their Membership. Secure your premium seats by becoming an Stadium Australia Member here.
It will be the first time in 41 years that the mighty Chelsea FC has visited Australia.
In announcing the Chelsea blockbuster exclusive for Sydney, NSW Minister for Trade, Tourism and Major Events Stuart Ayres said: “Chelsea FC has a playing squad full of world-class international players including John Terry, Cesc Fabregas, Oscar, Eden Hazard, Diego Costa – not to mention their legendary manager Jose Mourinho.
“This announcement is a major win for Sydney and is yet another example of the NSW Government’s commitment to building a world-class calendar of events to drive visitation to our State.
“With over 509 million Chelsea FC fans around the world, we expect not only visitors from around Australia but from our neighbouring countries to make the trip for the match.
“Chelsea FC v Sydney FC will be a must-see for all football and sporting fans, and is expected to contribute more than $8 million in visitor expenditure to the NSW economy.
“Following the recent visits of English champions Manchester United and Italian giants Juventus, today’s announcement reinforces the State’s reputation for securing major European football teams exclusively for Sydney.
“For the most exciting and amazing events there’s absolutely nowhere else to be but in Sydney come the end of May,” Mr Ayres added.
Chelsea FC Chairman, Mr Bruce Buck, said: “We are delighted to be returning to Australia for the first time in many years and look forward to playing at the iconic Stadium Australia.
“Australia is unchartered territory for the modern Chelsea, and I can’t wait to see our many fans there as we show our appreciation for their long-distance support of the club.
“We are sure the team will put on an entertaining display as we end what has been a memorable campaign.”
Sydney FC Chairman, Mr Scott Barlow, said: “This is a historic announcement for Sydney FC and for football in Australia.
“Chelsea are one of the world’s biggest football clubs with millions of fans around the globe and this will be a huge occasion for the game in our country.
“We are delighted that Sydney FC will again be representing Australian football on a global stage.”
Stadium Australia Managing Director Daryl Kerry congratulated the NSW Government on securing another blockbuster sporting event for Sydney, which will drive visitation and business in NSW. The monster week will be worth in excess of $24 million to the NSW economy.
“We started the year at Stadium Australia with seven games of the AFC Asian Cup, including that memorable final won by the Socceroos, and now Sydney is about to revel in a sporting extravaganza highlighted by State of Origin rugby league and football classics involving two of the English Premier League’s greatest clubs,” Mr Kerry said.
“Further ahead, of course, there is Bledisloe Cup, the NRL Grand Final, and two huge music events featuring AC/DC and Taylor Swift in November.
“It’s been quite a year already and there is plenty more to come, with up to 2 million fans expected to attend more than 50 events at Stadium Australia in 2015,” Mr Kerry concluded.
