Australian Football Extravaganza: Exhibition Matches Featuring Premier League and A-League Talent

Ange Postecoglou and Arsenal three Matildas are set to participate in two exhibition matches in May in Australia aimed at capitalizing on the success of the country’s top football exports. Tottenham led by Postecoglou will face Newcastle United in a midweek friendly at the MCG followed by an A-League All Stars doubleheader at Marvel Stadium. Arsenal Women featuring Steph Catley, Caitlin Foord and Kyra Cooney-Cross will headline the event with a match against the inaugural women’s A-League All Stars team.

Newcastle United will play the A-League All-Stars Men in the curtain-raiser. These matches coincide with the end of the English seasons and are expected to draw significant crowds, contributing to the state’s economy. The events are also anticipated to boost revenue for the local game and inspire Australian football enthusiasts. The matches are scheduled during the AFL season with tight turnarounds between games at Marvel Stadium.

The A-League Men’s grand final is also scheduled for the same weekend. The All-Stars concept dormant since 2013 was revived in 2022 with a match against Barcelona attracting a large audience. The addition of the A-League Women All-Stars match is a new development for this year. Matildas goalkeeper Lydia Williams anticipates a competitive clash against her former club Arsenal.