China will host its first ever AFL premiership match between Gold Coast and Port Adelaide next year.
The Suns have confirmed they will be Port Adelaide’s hosts for the match, after the Power announced last week they would be the first to play a match in the world’s most populated country.
It’s understood Gold Coast, who will have the added benefit of being a renowned Australian tourist destination in Asia, beat out Melbourne, GWS and Collingwood to be Port Adelaide’s rival for the clash.
They will be paid more than $600,000 for the trip to Shanghai according to News Corp Australia, and will further benefit their sponsorship agreement with Chinese technology company Huawei, along with their stadium sponsorship of Metricon.
The club’s chief executive Tony Cochrane also managed to secure a TV deal in China while he was the boss of the V8 Supercars.
“It’s time to put this club in the limelight, and what better way than to be involved with China, and the fastest-growing Chinese tourist destination in Australia,” Cochrane said.
“We are not here to make up the numbers. We’re open for business and we want to be big players and we see China as part of that strategy.”