AFL makes ongoing commitment to Shanghai fixture

The AFL’s commitment to establishing a hold in the Chinese sport market is to continue in 2019 and beyond with Port Adelaide to play further Premiership fixtures at Shanghai’s Jiangwan Stadium.

Port Adelaide has made a three year commitment to playing in China, with St Kilda replace the Gold Coast Suns as their opponents from 2019 to 2021.

The South Australian Government has also committed $350,000 on naming rights for 2019, with the venue to again be rebranded as the ‘Adelaide Arena’ when the teams meet.

Commenting on the backing, South Australian Premier Steven Marshall stated “it's crucial that we foster these trade opportunities with our key trading partner, and we've already seen the success that comes with building our cultural ties with China through sport.

“We want to see this continue to grow year on year, so that the export opportunities between China and Australia can develop even further, resulting in more investment and more jobs, along with more Chinese tourists coming to visit Adelaide and the regions of South Australia.”

As the ‘away’ side, St Kilda will face Port Adelaide in Shanghai in Round 11 of the 2019 AFL Premiership on Sunday 2nd June, with both sides handed a bye the following week to aid their recovery upon returning to Australia.

The Saints will become the first club to play for premiership points in three countries following a brief three-year foray into New Zealand in 2013, 2014 and 2015.

Image: Port Adelaide take on the Gold Coast Suns at Shanghai’s Jiangwan Stadium earlier this year. Courtesy of Port Adelaide FC.