Thousands of football fans embraced the chance to see some of the nation’s best soccer players in Darwin as part of the Australia Cup 2023 Playoffs.
A combined total of more than 3500 fans packed Darwin Football Stadium at the Marrara Sporting Complex to see Newcastle Jets FC win in a penalty shoot out to Melbourne Victory FC on Monday 17 July and Macarthur FC win over Perth Glory FC on Tuesday 18 July.
On YouTube thousands of die-hard international fans watched the live-stream with 31,619 supporters tuning in on Monday and 25,774 on Tuesday. Livestreaming of the games was above average, with figures usually between 7000 and 20,000 for Australia Cup matches.
The matches were broadcast nationally on 10 Play, with Australia Cup promoting the Northern Territory as a destination across their various channels.
The 2023 matches come as football fever is set to sweep the nation with the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023Ô to begin on Thursday, 20 July.
Working with Football Australia and Football Northern Territory, the Northern Territory Major Events Company (NTMEC) actively sought the opportunity to bring the Australia Cup 2023 playoffs to the Territory, so Territorians did not miss out on the football action.
A-League football has not been played in Darwin since 2015, when the city hosted a pre-season clash between Adelaide United FC and Melbourne City FC.
The Australia Cup is the nation’s largest knockout competition of any sport, with more than 770 clubs taking part this year. The winners of each match will go on to compete against the top eight teams from the A-League Men’s 2022/23 regular season, as well as 22 Member Federation clubs.
While the four teams were in the Top End they undertook a range of community activities including signings, open training sessions and an Australia Cup Trophy tour.
A range of development and school workshops also took place over the weekend thanks to the teams being in town.
Quotes from Northern Territory Major Events Company CEO Suzana Bishop:
“NTMEC is proud to be bringing new and exciting events to Territorians, as we know the significant benefits they bring to our region by increasing visitation, boosting local businesses, putting the NT in the spotlight and strengthening our economy.
“The partnership between NTMEC, Football Australia and Football NT provided a fantastic opportunity for football fans to see high-level level sport in a family friendly atmosphere in Darwin.
“We were delighted to welcome these teams to Darwin, who put on a great display of sportsmanship on Monday and Tuesday night.”
Quotes from Football Australia CEO James Johnson:
“I want to extend our gratitude and thanks to the Northern Territory Government, Northern Territory Major Events Company and Football Northern Territory for a wonderful fortnight of football-related activities in the lead up to the FIFA Women’s World Cup, including the visit of FIFA Secretary General, Fatma Samoura and FIFA Chief of Women’s Football, Sarai Bareman.
“Over recent days, it has been fantastic to witness the Darwin community and visitors to the city embrace the Australia Cup 2023 playoffs and locals getting to interact with the four A-League Men’s teams, supporting Football Australia’s desire to take elite level football to more parts of Australia.
“This also follows the launch today of the FIFA for Schools program, which will see more than $70,000 of funding injected into schools throughout the Northern Territory.
“We are in a golden window for football in Australia, and we were thrilled to kick off what will be an exciting four weeks of world-class football across the country in the Top End.”
Quotes from Football Northern Territory CEO Bruce Stalder:
“What a great two nights of football with not one but four A-League teams battling out in Darwin for Australia Cup honours. Fantastic crowds produced a wonderful atmosphere and celebration of the beautiful game. I wish to thank the NT Government and in particular Northern Territory Major Events Company and Football Australia and their teams who were brilliant to work with.
The Territory’s Football Festival continues with the live viewing sites at Darwin Football Stadium and Alice Springs Uniting Church Lawns for the historic first match of the FIFA Women’s World Cup when the mighty Matildas take on Ireland tomorrow night.”
