AC Milan has officially declared that their senior men’s team will journey to Australia in late May for a friendly match against AS Roma in Perth.
As officially confirmed on the team’s website, AC Milan is slated to engage in a historic encounter against AS Roma on Friday, May 31, in Perth, Western Australia. The eagerly anticipated match will unfold at the state-of-the-art Optus Stadium, renowned for hosting cricket and Australian Rules Football events, boasting a capacity of 65,000 spectators.
This landmark fixture marks the first-ever meeting between two Serie A teams on Australian soil, and its significance is underscored by the enthusiastic support of the Government of Western Australia.
The government’s endorsement reflects its enduring commitment to strengthening ties with Italy and captivating football enthusiasts on a global scale. Roger Cook, Premier of Western Australia, expressed his excitement, stating, “Hosting a match between AC Milan and AS Roma here in Perth is a fantastic opportunity for us to strengthen our ties with Italy.”
Giorgio Furlani, CEO of AC Milan, expressed the club’s excitement about returning to Australia and extended gratitude to the Government of Western Australia for the invitation. Furlani emphasized the significance of the club’s international fanbase and its dedication to fostering a deeper connection with supporters globally.
Exclusive pre-sale tickets for the match will be available from Tuesday, March 12, with general public ticket availability commencing on Thursday, March 14, through Ticketmaster Australia.
AC Milan’s last visit to Australia dates back almost 30 years to 1993, when the team played friendly matches against the Australian national team in Sydney and Melbourne.
Honorary Vice-President Franco Baresi, who captained the side during that tour, expressed his excitement about returning to Australia and recalled the special memories from the 1993 visit.
Despite the lengthy absence, AC Milan maintains a strong bond with Australia, boasting a passionate fanbase of over two million people and active Fan Clubs in key cities such as Melbourne, Sydney, and Adelaide.
In the broader Asian-Pacific region, AC Milan stands as the most followed Italian football club, with a growing fanbase of 20 million in recent years.
The connection between Milan and Australia extends beyond the football pitch, as the club’s NGOFondazione Milan supports the ‘Welcome Football’ project in Melbourne.
This initiative, blending sports and education, focuses on children from migrant backgrounds, using football as a universal language to aid in their integration process and promote social cohesion within their new community.