Australia to host AFC Asian Cup

Australia will host the 2015 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Asian Cup after the Asian Football Confederation Executive Committee unanimously voted to support its bid.

Football Federation Australia Chairman Frank Lowy, AC, said the AFC Asian Cup was the biggest sporting event in Asia and a wonderful opportunity to showcase Australia to Asia and the rest of the world.

Lowy explained "this is a terrific boost to football in Australia at all levels and it comes as our Qantas Socceroos, the highest ranked team in Asia, are only days away from competing in the AFC Asian Cup 2011 here in Qatar.

"Australians are about to see just how big this tournament is with an expected television audience of more than one billion watching sixteen quality teams compete from some of the biggest nations in Asia including Japan, Korea, India and China.

"It is a great coup to host this event and it will be a catalyst for taking the game forward in Australia over the next few years."

The tournament will be played in stadiums selected from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Canberra and the Gold Coast.

It is estimated the 32 matches will attract between 438,000 and 510,000 spectators with the Qantas Socceroos expected to play at least one group game in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. The event is expected to bring in up to 45,000 visitors,

FFA has proposed Melbourne to host the opening match and Sydney to host the final.

FFA Chief Executive Ben Buckley said the hosting of the AFC Asian Cup 2015 will be a key focus over the next four years along with other key strategic areas of FFAâs operations.

These include representative national teams, particularly the Qantas Socceroos' qualification campaign for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, further consolidation and strengthening of the Hyundai A-League, National Youth League and Westfield W-League and continued implementation of the national football development program at both the talented player and community levels.

Buckley explained that "the strength and diversity of the game in Australia across all these strategic areas was a feature of our bid and our presentation to the AFC.

"We are confident that the popularity of the game and its broad supporter base across the community will ensure the AFC Asian Cup in Australia will set the benchmark for this tournament for years to come."

The tournament will include 32 matches (24 group stage and eight 8 knockout games played across four States and Territories (the Australian Capital Territorty, New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria.during the 23 day long tournament, currently scheduled for January 2015.

The tournament requires a minimum of four and a maximum of five stadiums to be selected eight stadiums proposed in the Bid. These include Suncorp Stadium, Skilled Park, ANZ Stadium, Sydney Football Stadium, Parramatta Stadium, Canberra Stadium, Etihad Stadium and AAMI Park. 

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