The Victorian state government has announced that Skilled Stadium is one of two venues they have recommended as suitable to host games as part of Australia’s soccer World Cup bid.
With the MCG confirmed as a venue and Etihad Stadium ruled out, there has been enormous debate as to which Victorian stadium would be put forward as the second venue.
The club was informed on Monday that Skilled Stadium had received the tick from the Brumby government to be included in the bid.
“This is great recognition for Geelong as a region,” Cats CEO Brian Cook said.
“Geelong can provide a world class experience in a world class venue. We all know that Geelong is a great city, and a great sporting city. It is exciting times that Geelong has been earmarked for the bid.”
The AFL has acknowledged that it will be impossible to complete a season in either 2018 or 2022 in the event that both the MCG and Etihad Stadium were unavailable. With Etihad out, and the new rectangular stadium in Richmond too small to host games, the search led to Geelong.
Skilled Stadium would need to be enhanced, with capacity increased to around 44,000.
