The AFL, Toyota, and Queensland Government are pleased to announce the 2020 Toyota AFL Premiership Cup Tour, an official 10-day tour of Queensland, giving footy fans around the Sunshine State a chance to get close to the most important piece of silverware in Australian sport.
The schedule will showcase some of Queensland's best local hot-spots and footy communities, starting in Cairns and stopping in Townsville, Mackay, Rockhampton, Gladstone, Toowoomba, and the Gold Coast, before being hand-delivered onto the Gabba on Saturday, October 24 for the 2020 Toyota AFL Grand Final.
The Toyota AFL Premiership Cup Tour will commence Thursday 8 October, with the cup flying to Cairns with thanks to Virgin Australia. The cup will be escorted by Brisbane Legend, and three-time premiership player Simon Black, who is the official Premiership Cup Ambassador for 2020.
Once in Cairns, the Premiership Cup will be loaded onto a Toyota HiLux to commence its journey around the state by road.
It arrives in Townsville, Saturday 10 October, with an opportunity for a local meet and greets before it heads out to the new Museum of Underwater Art. From there the cup will be transported by Toyota's HiLux cavalcade to Mackay, Rockhampton, and Gladstone, before making the drive south to Toowoomba, Gold Coast, and Brisbane.
Premiership Cup Ambassador, Simon Black, is honoured to be the official spokesperson for the cup this year.
"What an unbelievable opportunity for all Queenslanders to experience the excitement of the Toyota AFL Grand Final firsthand.
"It's an honour to represent the AFL and kick off the 2020 Toyota Premiership Cup Tour. Having the biggest sporting event in our backyard for the first time – it is something all Queenslanders can celebrate," said Black.
Having played a club-record 322 games for the Brisbane Lions between 1998-2013 and a member of all three Brisbane premiership teams between 2001-03, Black is one of just six men to boast a premiership medallion, Norm Smith (2003) medal and a Brownlow Medal (2002).
Black was inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame earlier in the year and will escort the Premiership Cup out onto the Gabba turf on the big day.
General Manager of Commercial, Kylie Rogers, said the state-wide tour and Black's role is important to showcase the community spirit of Queensland footy.
"Queensland has a proud football heritage, with strong grassroots footy communities – from Far North Queensland right down to the southern-most region, AFL has incredible support from the community. We could not be more excited for the cup to hit the road and provide locals the opportunity to share in the finals fever.
"The Toyota Premiership Cup Tour is a great way for the AFL to show our appreciation to the Queensland people for the wonderful job they have done hosting us. Thank you to the Queensland Government and our Premier Partner, Toyota for bringing this tour to life with the AFL.
Toyota Chief Marketing Officer, John Pappas, said he is excited for HiLux to hit the Queensland roads with the Premiership Cup.
"We are immensely proud to provide Queensland footy fans an opportunity to experience the finals atmosphere in their local communities for the first time."
"With thanks to the AFL, QLD Government and our Toyota Dealerships, the Toyota AFL Premiership Cup tour will allow us to not only thank Queenslanders for their generous hospitality but also showcase some amazing sights and shine a light on regional grassroots footy which is something we at Toyota are very passionate about," he said.
The tour will wrap on the Gold Coast Saturday 17 October, leading into the 2020 Toyota AFL Grand Final week celebrations.
Tour Dates and Locations:
Cairns: Thursday 8th and Friday 9th October
Townsville: Saturday 10th, Sunday 11th, and Monday 12th October
Mackay: Tuesday 13th October
Rockhampton: Wednesday 14th October
Gladstone: Wednesday 14th October
Toowoomba: Friday 16th October
Gold Coast: Saturday 17th October
Further details for each location to come.
