- Chelsea Football Club to play international friendly in Perth in 2018
- Chelsea, 2014-15 Premier League champions and current ladder leaders
- Supported by the Liberal National Government through Tourism WA and VenuesWest
Another sporting coup has been secured for Perth Stadium with Premier League powerhouse Chelsea heading to Western Australia for an international friendly match with Perth Glory.
The match, scheduled for late July or early August 2018, is expected to attract 15,000 interstate and international visitors generating about $15 million for the WA tourism industry.
Premier and Tourism Minister Colin Barnett said the Chelsea Football Club match would be the first international soccer club appearance at the stadium and an Australian exclusive.
"Soccer is immensely popular in the Eastern States and in some of our key Asian tourism markets including Singapore, Malaysia and China," Mr Barnett said.
"This is a rare opportunity for fans in all these areas to visit WA to see one of the most successful Premier League teams of the past 15 years."
The deal, struck by Tourism WA in partnership with Perth Stadium Operator VenuesLive, includes other activities by the club in Perth including open training sessions and grassroots training clinics.
"Not only will this give WA fans the chance to see some of the best up close, it will also expose Perth to millions around the world through news coverage and social media," the Premier said.
Mr Barnett said events at the new Perth Stadium formed a crucial part of the State Government's strategy to grow WA's tourism industry.
"In the 12 months to September 2016, visitors to WA spent $9.6 billion; we want to see that figure grow to $12 billion by 2020," he said.
"Major events will help us reach that goal which is why we have committed $30 million to bringing business, sporting and entertainment events to WA, including $19 million to attract big events to Perth Stadium.
"This commitment has already seen a State of Origin and a Bledisloe Cup match locked in for 2019."
Fact File
- Perth Stadium capacity for the friendly match will be 65,000
- Chelsea FC boasts the second highest number of worldwide fans of any Premier League side with more than 400 million
Premier and Tourism Minister's office - 6552 5000
