Victoria Premier Ted Baillieu

Melbourne Victory-LA Galaxy Blockbuster Adds Another Jewel To Victorian Sporting Events Calendar

Victor P Taffa

LA Galaxy and Melbourne Victory will play in a blockbuster Australian match featuring soccer superstars Harry Kewell, David Beckham and Landon Donovan on 6 December this year at Etihad Stadium, Premier Ted Baillieu announced today.

Mr. Baillieu said the decision to bring the LA Galaxy game to Melbourne once again demonstrated Melbourne’s standing as Australia’s sporting capital and one of the great sporting cities of the world.

“Melbourne is recognised globally as a hub for its world-leading major events and Victorians love to celebrate, participate in and attend major sport events.” Mr. Baillieu said.

“The Victorian Coalition Government is proud to support this match – another jewel in Victoria’s outstanding major events calendar – between Melbourne Victory including Harry Kewell and the LA Galaxy featuring Landon Donovan and David Beckham.”

Between now and the end of the year, Victoria will play host to an unprecedented number of Australia’s biggest sporting events including:

• The AFL Finals festival, culminating in the Grand Final on Saturday 1 October;
• The Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix (MotoGP) at Phillip Island from 14 to 16 October;
• Australia’s most successful horseracing carnival, the Spring Racing Carnival, including the internationally-celebrated running of the Melbourne Cup on Tuesday 1 November;
• The first game of the International Rules series featuring Australia vs. Ireland on Friday 28 October;
• ISAF’s Sailing World Cup from November 6 to 12;
• The staging of the Presidents Cup Golf Tournament from 14-20 November at Royal Melbourne Golf Course featuring 24 of the greatest players in the world;  
• The JBWere Masters at Victoria Golf Club, featuring world number 1 Luke Donald, from December 15 to 18.

LA Galaxy President Tom Payne said the team was looking forward to coming to Melbourne.

“We are very excited to be coming to Melbourne – the sports capital of Australia – and are looking forward to playing against the Melbourne Victory in the Jeep Melbourne Challenge at the sensational Etihad Stadium.” Mr. Payne said.

“We would like to thank Premier Baillieu and the State of Victoria for the kind invitation and Lou Sticca and Tribal Sports Management for arranging the Galaxy’s visit to Melbourne.”

Mr. Lou Sticca of Tribal Sports Management said he was genuinely excited that Melbourne will get to experience a high-quality international match between our own Melbourne Victory and the world-famous LA Galaxy.

“Our city will come out in force to see some of the greatest names in football including Archie Thompson, Carlos Hernandez and now Harry Kewell as well as David Beckham, Robbie Keane and Landon Donovan.” Mr. Stica said.

“Playing at Etihad Stadium in the lead-up to Christmas will guarantee a genuinely festive and fun atmosphere.”

Etihad Stadium CEO Mr Ian Collins said hosting the famous LA Galaxy team made for another extremely exciting event for Etihad Stadium.

“David Beckham, of course, is one of the most instantly-recognisable faces in world sport and we’re thrilled that the promoters have determined that we are the appropriate venue for this occasion.” Mr. Collins said.

“It should be a fantastic match.”

Tickets to the match will go on sale this Thursday 15 September through Ticketmaster via telephone on 13 61 00 or through the website at ticketmaster.com.au