The AFL, in conjunction with its joint venture partner Port Adelaide Football Club have today announced the Round 11, St Kilda vs Port Adelaide match scheduled for May 31 in Shanghai, China will be relocated to Australia.
The decision to move the match was made in consultation with Shanghai based event partner Juss Sports.
The match, a St Kilda home game, will now be held at Marvel Stadium, in Round 12, on Sunday 7 June, commencing at 5:40pm AEST.
Both St Kilda and Port Adelaide will now have a BYE in Round 11. Both clubs previously had the BYE in Round 12.
The new fixture, with the support of the Victorian State Government, will feature a celebration of Chinese culture in an effort to encourage visitors to come together in support of our Chinese communities.
The flexibility in the fixture with the BYE rounds beginning the week after the scheduled Shanghai fixture allowed the match to move to Round 12, ensuring St Kilda hosts at their home venue and have a stand-alone presence on a Sunday twilight timeslot.
The new timeslot will be broadcast on Fox Footy, the AFL App with thanks to Telstra and Guangzhou TV.
Tickets purchased for the China match will be refunded, and tickets for the new scheduled timeslot will go on sale through Ticketmaster shortly.
AFL Chief Executive, Gillon McLachlan, said the health and safety of the travelling parties was the number one priority in the decision to move the match.
"Our team have monitored the situation in China closely. We have taken advice from the Australian Government, the World Health Organisation and our Chief Medical Officer," Mr McLachlan said.
"It is evident that the coronavirus still poses a significant risk internationally and quite simply we will not compromise the health and safety of any of our clubs, supporters and AFL team members.
"I would like to thank both the Australian and Chinese Governments, along with the St Kilda and Port Adelaide Football Clubs for their cooperation and shared view of ensuring the health and safety of all was paramount.
"Our relationship with China is important, it extends beyond the match-day, including key relationships withgovernment and the business community and we look forward to continuing our support into the future."
"I would to also thank Juss Sports for all their planning, guidance and partnership over the past three years as we look forward to returning to Shanghai in 2021."
Deputy General Manager Juss Sports, Shanghai Patrick Yang said –
"We were excited to once again be hosting the Port Adelaide and St Kilda Football Clubs in Shanghai and bringing Aussie Rules football to the people of China," Mr Yang said.
"While this season, due to circumstances outside our control, the match will now be played in Australia, we look forward to welcoming to AFL back to Shanghai in 2021."
AFL General Manager China, David Stevenson said –
"China remains a strategic priority for the AFL, over the last three years we have developed key relationships with our partners abroad," Mr Stevenson said.
"Our work continues to build the broader AFL opportunity in China."
Port Adelaide chief executive Keith Thomas said it’s disappointing not to be playing a game in Shanghai this year but remains excited for 2021 and beyond.
"Whilst we are disappointed that the Shanghai game has been cancelled, today’s announcement doesn’t do anything to diminish our enthusiasm and belief in what our China strategy offers, and we’ll be looking to double down in 2021 to make the game-day experience bigger and better."
Victorian Minister for Jobs, Innovation and Trade Martin Pakula said -
"Sport is a great way to bring people together, whether it’s played in Shanghai or Docklands.”
"It’s a shame that the Saints can’t play in Shanghai this year, but we now have a terrific opportunity to show our support for our local Chinese communities.”
St Kilda Chief Executive Matt Finnis said -
“We will work with the Victorian Government to promote the positive impact the Chinese community has on Melbourne through education, tourism and its unique contribution to our city’s diverse culture.”
