High-profile sports have reached new heights in Ballarat with the announcement that Western United will bring A-League soccer to Mars Stadium in 2019-2020.
Western United will play four games at Ballarat's premier multi-sports and events facility, providing the region's soccer fans with the chance to see their favourite players in action right here in Ballarat.
Mars Stadium is Ballarat's new home of AFL, Super Rugby and now A League soccer.
The City of Ballarat has been working to attract the A-League's newest side, Western United, to play matches at Mars Stadium next season.
The A-League 2019-2020 season draw, released today, shows:
Western United v Wellington Phoenix at Mars Stadium on Saturday 28 December 2019 at 5.15pm
Western United v Brisbane Roar at Mars Stadium on Sunday 16 February 2020 at 4pm
Western United v Western Sydney Wanderers at Mars Stadium on Sunday 29 March 2020 at 4pm
Western United v Melbourne City at Mars Stadium on Friday 10 April (Good Friday) 2020 at 4pm.
Earlier this year, City of Ballarat officers met with Western United CEO Maurice Bisetto and facilitated a venue tour of both the Ballarat Regional Soccer Facility and Mars Stadium.
Mars Stadium has state-of-the-art facilities, including media facilities, that will enable the matches to be telecast live on Foxtel.
The matches are expected to attract more than 5,000 fans. As a result, the games will be held at Mars Stadium, which can cater for more than 11,000 spectators, instead of Ballarat Regional Soccer Facility, which has a capacity of 4,000.
City of Ballarat Mayor Cr Samantha McIntosh says this is a fantastic opportunity for Ballarat soccer enthusiasts and Western United fans to see top level soccer in their own backyard.
"It's terrific to have Mars Stadium used for yet another major event, and even more exciting to host our first ever A-League soccer match here," she says.
"Soccer is one of Ballarat's fastest growing sports. We know our work to attract Western United here will only strengthen grassroots level soccer while bolstering Ballarat's position in the state's major events scene."
