CITY’S WEST HAM COUP
GOAL! English Premier League team to play in Champions Cup on Glitter Strip
ENGLISH Premier League side West Ham United FC will play on the Gold Coast in a package of games tipped to deliver a $5.92 million windfall for the economy.
Tourism Minister Kate Jones told the Bulletin the EVA Air Queensland Champions Cup will feature matches between Crystal Palace FC, West Ham United FC and Queensland’s only ALeague side, Brisbane Roar.
In one of the biggest ever soccer games played on the Glitter
Strip, the team will play West Ham at Robina’s Cbus Super Stadium on July 15.
“This game will bring thousands of tourists to the Gold Coast and will support local jobs and local businesses,” Ms Jones said.
THE Gold Coast is to host one of the biggest soccer games in the city’s history in July in a much-needed boost to the tourism industry.
The Palaszczuk Government will today announce that English Premier League side West Ham United FC will play on the Coast as part of a package projected to deliver a $5.92 million windfall for the economy.
Tourism Minister Kate Jones told the Bulletin the EVA Air Queensland Champions Cup will feature matches between Crystal Palace FC, West Ham United FC and Queensland’s only ALeague side, Brisbane Roar.
Each club will play two games, with the side amassing the most points to claim the inaugural title.
West Ham United, 16th in this year’s EPL, will play the Roar at Robina’s Cbus Super Stadium on July 15, Townsville’s new Queensland Country Bank Stadium is to host Crystal Palace against the Roar on July 11 and West Ham United and Crystal Palace will play at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium on July 18.
Event insiders said the visiting teams would be at full strength.
The highest-earning West Ham players include Ukrainian Andriy Yarmolenko, who is on £115,000 or A$224,000 a week), England international Jack Wilshere (£100,000 or A$195,000) and Brazilian Felipe Anderson (£85,000 or $A166,000).
Manchester City FC played sister club Melbourne
City FC at Cbus Super Stadium in 2015.
“This game will bring thousands of tourists to the Gold Coast and will support local jobs and local businesses,” Ms Jones said. “Tourism supports one in seven jobs on the Gold Coast. Events like this give a vital boost to this industry.
“West Ham have a huge global following. For a lot of people, this will be the only chance for soccer fans to see them in action on Aussie soil.”
Assistant Tourism Industry Development Minister and Gaven MP Meaghan Scanlon said the match would generate more than $1 million for local businesses and bring thousands of tourists to the Coast.
“Local businesses are struggling due to the coronavirus outbreak. That’s why we worked really hard to get this deal over the line so quickly,” she said.
“Soccer has a rapidly growing following in Australia – now is the perfect chance for thousands of Aussie soccer fans to book a trip to the Gold Coast.
“Don’t just come for the game, stick around, make a holiday out of it.”
TEG CEO Geoff Jones said the company was proud to host a series of
EPL blockbusters in Queensland.
“We are delighted to be able to bring this marquee soccer match featuring West Ham United to the Gold Coast,” he said.
“The EVA Air Queensland Champions Cup is an exciting opportunity for fans to witness an England Premier League club on the Gold Coast against the State’s own A-League side.
Mayor Tom Tate said securing this calibre of football match was an example of the Coast’s sporting legacy. “The 2018 Commonwealth Games put us on the international stage as a city that is truly capable of hosting world-class sporting events,” he said.
Tickets for all three matches go on sale at noon (AEST) on March 11 at www.ticketek.com.au.
THIS GAME WILL BRING THOUSANDS OF TOURISTS TO THE GOLD COAST
KATE JONES