Geelong's 'Festival of Football' to bring major economic windfall

Geelong is set for a major economic boost this month with the unprecedented hosting of four major sports events at Simonds Stadium as part of a Festival of Football.

This will include a massive AFL pre-season blockbuster between Geelong and Collingwood, a crucial Asian Champions League qualifier for the A-League's biggest club, the Melbourne Victory, and the Melbourne Rebels only Victorian pre-season game to kick off their 2014 Super Rugby campaign.

Premier of Victoria Denis Napthine said the four games across three football codes offer a great opportunity for sports fans in the greater Geelong region.

Dr Napthine explained "most importantly, these matches will bring tens of thousands of people from Melbourne, from the rest of Victoria and even from overseas to Geelong.

"These visitors to Geelong will bring massive economic benefits to Geelong businesses, particularly motels, hotels, restaurants, bars and others in the hospitality sector.

"With two international teams competing, New Zealand's Wellington Hurricanes rugby union team and an as yet unknown Asian opponent for Melbourne Victory, we can also expect Geelong's profile to be beamed into millions of homes overseas."

Victorian Minister for Sport and Recreation Hugh Delahunty said having the Festival of Football in Geelong is a great indication of the growing status of Simonds Stadium.

Minister Delahunty stated "the staging of these blockbuster matches means that footy fans from not only Geelong but across the Western Victoria have greater access to their footy heroes, no matter what the football code.

"We are also proud to support the Festival of Football through Significant Sporting Events Program grants to the City of Greater Geelong's Major Events Committee. These grants helped to secure the Rebels and Victory international matches for Geelong.

"I want to particularly thank the City of Greater Geelong for its determination and hard work in securing these events. The clubs are also to be congratulated for the foresight in taking their games to Victoria's biggest regional city."

The four games are:

8th February - Super Rugby Pre-Season Match - Melbourne Rebels v Wellington Hurricanes

12th February - AFL NAB Challenge - Geelong v Collingwood

15th February - AFC Champions League Qualifier - Melbourne Victory v TBC

19th February - AFL NAB Challenge - Western Bulldogs v St. Kilda

3rd June 2013 - GEELONG PLAY FIRST GAME UNDER SIMONDS STADIUM’S NEW LIGHTS