Last month NSW was going after the US market, and this month it’s the UK as newly-crowned English soccer (cough* football) champions arrive in Aus.
English Premier League champions, Chelsea FC, arrived in Sydney over the weekend ahead of their match with Sydney FC at ANZ Stadium on Tuesday, 2 June 2015.
Although they are here to kick goals with Australia’s hometown heroes, their visit has set a new record as more than 80,000 spectators booked to watch the showdown.
Sydney FC team meet the Chelsea boys.
Additionally, the game is expected to attract more than 15,000 domestic and international visitors to the State and put the spotlight on Australia for soccer fans back in the UK.
Minister for Trade, Tourism and Major Events and Minister for Sport, Mr Stuart Ayres welcomed legendary Chelsea FC Manager José Mourinho, captain John Terry and EPL Player of the Year Eden Hazard on the weekend at a very exclusive spot overlooking the Harbour and the Sydney Opera House.
The team travelled to Sydney with the English Premier League trophy, which flew on its own airline seat alongside players including John Terry, Eden Hazard and Diego Costa.
Mr Ayres said hosting the match in Australia reinforces Sydney’s reputation as a ‘home of world-class sporting events’.
Destination NSW CEO Sandra Chipchase concurred saying the Chelsea visit is good news for tourism to Sydney.
“Sports fans are putting Sydney at the top of their must-visit list and booking holidays to take in our city’s exciting events.”
Sandra Chipchase, Destination NSW CEO
“We’re proud to boast a bumper sporting events calendar with fans looking forward to the Bledisloe Cup, 2015 Netball World Cup, Rugby League Grand Final, Sydney 500 V8 Supercars plus the World Rally Championships in regional NSW.”
The Chelsea visit is the latest initiative by Destination NSW to attract more international visitors to the state.
Last month, the bureau invited Australian-born NBC’s Today Show host Savannah Guthrie to broadcast live from some of Sydney’s biggest attractions. Read on