March 6 – AC Milan will travel to Australia for the first time in over 30 years to play a friendly fixture versus AS Roma down under.
Hosted by the 65,000-seater Optus Stadium in Perth, the match will take place shortly after the end of the current season on May 31, sandwiched between the last Serie A fixture on May 26 and the beginning of Summer preparations in June.
Marking the first encounter between two Serie A teams on Australian soil, this match is supported by the Government of Western Australia.
Roger Cook, Premier of Western Australia, commented: “Hosting a match between AC Milan and AS Roma here in Perth is a fantastic opportunity for us to strengthen our ties with Italy and invite football fans from our key tourism markets to come and explore our beautiful, diverse state as part of a trip here to see this football match.”
Despite their long-term absence from Australia, AC Milan has been engaged in various Aussie initiatives including a series of nationwide Milan Junior Camps from 2007 to 2018.
Giorgio Furlani, CEO of AC Milan, added: “The opportunity to return to Australia is incredibly exciting for AC Milan. We are proud to have been chosen with AS Roma and are therefore grateful to the Government of Western Australia for the invitation.
“Our presence in the country not only signifies our commitment to our international fanbase, but also serves as a testament to our dedication to staying closer to our family of supporters across the globe, fostering a deeper connection and sense of belonging within our global AC Milan community.”
The last time Milan ventured down under was in 1993, when the Rossoneri played two friendly games against the Australia national team in Sydney and Melbourne led by then captain Franco Baresi, now a club vice president.
“I am excited to go back to Australia. The 1993 tour with AC Milan holds a special place in my heart as it marked my first visit to Australia… I am now eager to explore a new city and region of this splendid country during our upcoming trip.”
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at moc.l1713969503labto1713969503ofdlr1713969503owedi1713969503sni@g1713969503niwe.1713969503yrrah1713969503