The AFL will stage an exhibition match in London for the first time in six years when the Western Bulldogs meet Port Adelaide in November.
The game, to be played at The Oval on November 3, will be the first time London has seen AFL football since Port Adelaide and Geelong clashed in 2006.
After an agreement was reached overnight with the Surrey County Cricket Club, AFL general manager of national and international development Andrew Dillon said the game would continue to promote the AFL internationally.
“There are now 21 countries affiliated under AFL Europe with more than 4600 players competing in regular competitions across Europe,” Dillon said.
“A large Australian expatriate community in England, primarily centred in London, retains strong links to their clubs at home,” he said.
Western Bulldogs chief executive Simon Garlick said that the game would be a boost to the club’s pre-season program.
“The Western Bulldogs are viewing the clash as a unique opportunity to not only promote our great game but to also kick-start our 2013 pre-season campaign by taking advantage of the professional development opportunities overseas,” Garlick said.
Port Adelaide chief executive Keith Thomas said the club would also use the game as a chance to visit leading international sporting organisations, including a camp at the Australian Sport Commission European Training Centre in Italy, co-funded by the players and staff.
“For Port Adelaide, this trip is an exceptional development opportunity for our young squad to share the experience of training, playing and learning in some of the most outstanding sporting environments in the world, as we build for next year and beyond,” Thomas said.
AFL Europe hosts an annual competition for its affiliated leagues and it is expected the best two countries will play a curtain-raiser before the Bulldogs-Power match.
The AFL began playing matches internationally in the 1980s. Games have been staged in New Zealand, the USA, South Africa, Canada and recently in Shanghai, China in 2010 as part of the 2010 World Expo.