We first heard of Chelsea’s plans to visit Australia in the summer of 2018 and play a friendly in Perth’s gleaming new 65,000 capacity stadium last June, via a local report.
WHAT A COUP ! Thoughts @PGFanForum @GloryFansUnited @GloryShedders ?? #GloryIsOurs pic.twitter.com/Sg3qyiRPbn
— Perth Glory FC (@PerthGloryFC) June 24, 2016
Today, this friendly was confirmed by none other than the Premier of Western Australia, Colin Barnett himself, soon followed by confirmation on Chelsea’s official website as well.
BREAKING | @ColinBarnett announced match between @PerthGloryFC and @ChelseaFC in mid-2018 #GloryIsOurs pic.twitter.com/ZcyqmVdgeK
— Perth Glory FC (@PerthGloryFC) January 29, 2017
Building the “brand”!
“I’m delighted a club as successful as Chelsea will be the first international football team to play at the new, state-of-the-art Perth Stadium.”
“With such a strong and appealing brand and millions of followers around the globe, Chelsea Football Club will help shine a light on our city. I look forward to welcoming players, officials and fans to Perth and I trust everyone will enjoy the many unique experiences on offer in Western Australia.”
-Colin Barnett; source: Chelsea FC
While no specific date was announced for the match, earlier reports put this friendly “just a few days after” the 2018 World Cup final.
Time to put another shrimp on the barbie!