Tottenham Hotspur FC, Newcastle United FC and Arsenal Women FC will headline an exciting series of international football club matches at the MCG and Marvel Stadium in May this year, secured by the Allan Labor Government.
Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Steve Dimopoulos was today joined by world-class football legends to announce the three-game series, Global Football Week - Melbourne, with the homecoming of Melburnian Ange Postecoglou following an epic first year as Manager of Tottenham Hotspur FC.
The series will feature Spurs against Newcastle United on Wednesday, 22 May at the MCG, which will see football fans from far and wide flock to the heart of Melbourne for this landmark match - boosting local businesses, jobs and cementing Victoria's status as the nation's major events capital.
The match will be followed by a double header on Friday, 24 May at Marvel Stadium with three-time Women's Super League champions Arsenal Women taking on the A League All Stars Women.
Rounding out the Friday event will be a second appearance by Newcastle United, this time against the A League All Stars Men.
Spurs Assistant Manager and former Socceroos captain Mile Jedinak and Chief Football Officer Scott Munn joined the Minister to make the announcement alongside Melbourne Victory forward Daniel Arzani, former Arsenal Women and current Melbourne Victory and Matildas goalkeeper Lydia Williams and APL Independent Chairman Stephen Conroy.
As the first ever Australian Manager in the English Premier League, Postecoglou's success in this debut season with the Spurs has sparked unprecedented local interest in Tottenham, which is set to draw big crowds to Melbourne and boost the State's $36.9 billion visitor economy.
The surging popularity of women's football, driven by the Matildas, will be in show when Arsenal Women takes the pitch, with its roster featuring Matildas Steph Catley, Kyra Cooney-Cross and Caitlin Foord - making history as the first time Arsenal Women have played in Australia and it is the first time the A League All Stars Women has been assembled.
These blockbuster fixtures in Australia's sporting capital are expected to attract tens of thousands of visitors to Victoria and will reach millions of viewers around the world.
As stated by Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Steve Dimopoulos
"Tottenham, Arsenal Women and Newcastle United are globally renowned sporting teams and they are heading to one of the best sporting cities in the world this May with support from the Victorian Government."
"To secure these three prestigious teams reinforces Melbourne's standing as a global sports city and builds on our year-round calendar of top tier events that continue to showcase our State to the world."
As stated by Visit Victoria CEO Brendan McClements
"With some of the world's best known football teams heading to Melbourne in May, we can look forward welcoming many thousands of fans to our city and driving business across our visitor economy."
As stated by Tottenham Hotspur Chief Football Officer Scott Munn
"We are delighted to be heading to Melbourne for a post-season fixture against Newcastle United."
"Being able to take our team overseas is always a huge honour. We have amazing global support and to have the opportunity to connect with those fans who may be based thousands of miles away but are still fanatical about the Club, is truly special."
