Brisbane Roar will go head-to-head with iconic Premier League clubs Aston Villa and Leeds United when they visit our home state for the very first Queensland Champions Cup in July.
The three-match series, to be played across the Sunshine State from 14-20 July, is the revival of a tournament that was launched in 2020 but postponed because of the worldwide coronavirus pandemic.
Each club will participate in two games, with the side amassing the most points claiming the inaugural title.
The tournament will kick-off at the Gold Coast’s Cbus Super Stadium on Thursday 14 July when the Roar take on the might of Leeds United.
On Sunday 17 July, Aston Villa and Leeds will face off at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium before the Roar and Steve Gerrard’s Villa head north to Queensland Country Bank Stadium in Townsville for the final match of the series and likely series decider on Wednesday 20 July.
Brisbane Roar CEO David Pourre said: “Brisbane Roar prides itself on being a football club for all of Queensland and we are looking forward to playing two exciting fixtures in Townsville and the Gold Coast in July.
“It is also a unique opportunity for Brisbane to also be hosting a fixture featuring two of England’s most famous clubs.
“We are hoping to see plenty of orange in the stands supporting Queensland’s A-League club against two of England’s finest clubs.”
Queensland Tourism and Sport Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said Aston Villa and Leeds United had a combined history of more than 250 years.
“The English Premier League is among global football’s best competitions, bringing two top teams to Queensland demonstrates our reputation as a world-class events destination,” Mr Hinchliffe said.
“You won’t see the stars of Aston Villa or Leeds United playing in Sydney, Melbourne or Adelaide, because in 2022 their only east coast matches are in Queensland.
“Major sporting events like this bring visitors who support local tourism and hospitality jobs and contribute millions to the Queensland economy.
“We’re expecting thousands of southern fans to travel to Queensland for the spectacle of their EPL heroes playing on Australian soil.”
Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate said: “What a coup. Leeds United FC versus the Brisbane Roar right here on the coast.
“I watched Villa take on West Ham in the UK last month and I know first-hand the power of their supporters’ bases. This will bring exceptional exposure to our city, and I applaud Major Events Gold Coast and all involved.”
Townsville Mayor Jenny Hill said: “Our state-of-the-art stadium has attracted another world-class sporting event to our city, further reinforcing Townsville’s reputation as the sports and events capital of northern Australia.
“Soccer is a very popular sport in Townsville as well as across North Queensland. I have no doubt soccer fans, as well as sports fans more generally, will turn out in droves to see Aston Villa FC take on the Brisbane Roar at Queensland Country Bank Stadium.
“The event will also provide a boon for the local economy, especially our tourism and hospitality providers who have had a tough couple of years because of COVID-19.”
Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said: “Brisbane will be the only place in Queensland to soak up a full English Premier League experience when Leeds United and Aston Villa take to the pitch.
“Hosting the state’s only exclusive game between the two English sides in Brisbane is a huge opportunity for football fans in Brisbane and right across Australia,” Cr Schrinner said.
“This event once again demonstrates that Brisbane is now the nation’s sports capital with more teams looking to play in Australia’s fast-growing capital city and in front of new Australian audiences.”
Aston Villa manager Steven Gerrard added: “We are absolutely delighted to be visiting Australia for the first time in the club’s history and it will be fantastic for Aston Villa to play against two excellent teams in these wonderful Queensland stadiums in front of our eastern Australian fans.
“The tour comes at a crucial stage of our pre-season so the fitness programme and the games are important, but we also look forward to spending time exploring stunning Queensland and meeting as many people as we can.”
Leeds United manager Jesse Marsch said: “It’s not only a great opportunity for Leeds to play two exciting games in front of our Queensland fans down under; it’s also a great opportunity to visit a beautiful state in a wonderful country which I know loves their sport and is extremely knowledgeable about football.
“This will be our club’s third playing trip to Australia and I’m very much looking forward to taking the team back for what will be an important part of our preparations for the 2022/23 season.”
TEG CEO, Geoff Jones said event promoter, TEG Sport and partner Left Field Live, looks forward to delivering this marquee event involving three exciting teams.
“The inaugural Queensland Champions Cup is an exciting opportunity for fans and major event goers to witness live two current clubs from the world’s leading and most popular football league, the English Premier League,” said Jones.
“We are delighted to be staging this event in three of Queensland’s premier venues and in three different cities through our event partners Tourism and Events Queensland, Stadiums Queensland, Suncorp Stadium, City of Brisbane, City of Gold Coast and City of Townsville.
“And we’d like to thank the Queensland Government for their role in facilitating the opportunity.”
Tickets to the general public go on-sale at 1:00pm AEST on Friday 29th April from www.ticketek.com.au.
Tickets from the 2020 Queensland Champions Cup ticket release are still valid with ticket holders not needing to take any action.
Official corporate hospitality and VIP fan packages are available from 29th April through VIP NOW, including suites, boxes and VIP functions. Head to www.vipnow.com.au.
2022 QUEENSLAND CHAMPIONS CUP SCHEDULE
Note: Kick-off times are subject to change
Thursday 14 July (7:45pm AEST)
Cbus Super Stadium – Gold Coast
Brisbane Roar F.C. vs Leeds United F.C.
Sunday 17 July (2:35pm AEST)
Suncorp Stadium – Brisbane
Aston Villa F.C vs Leeds United F.C
Wednesday 20 July (7:45pm AEST)
Queensland Country Bank Stadium – Townsville
Brisbane Roar F.C vs Aston Villa F.C.
GENERAL PUBLIC ON-SALE
1:00pm AEST on Friday 29th April from www.ticketek.com.au
Official corporate hospitality and VIP fan packages are available from today through VIP NOW, including suites, boxes and VIP functions head to www.vipnow.com.au.
Ticket purchasers should note that the final coaching and playing talent selected for the 2022 Queensland Champions Cup may not be from the current squad and are subject to change for reasons including player availability and injury.
