Perth Glory broker deal to play matches in Tasmania

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Football Tasmania has welcomed the announcement that A-League side Perth Glory will play four games in the Apple Isle – later this month.

The deal, struck between the A-Leagues, Tasmanian Government and Perth Glory will see three A-League Men’s matches and one A-League Women’s match played in Launceston.

Football Tasmania CEO Matt Bulkeley believes the agreement is a big win for fans of football in the state.

“In recent times we’ve been working hard at a grassroots level to make football Tasmania’s most popular sport, we’re now in a great position to really capitalise on opportunities like this,” Mr Bulkeley said.

“We would like to thank the Tasmanian Government and especially the Premier and the Minister for Sport who are both fantastic champions for football in our State.

“It’s fantastic that we will have more elite-level men’s and women’s football in Tasmania than ever before.

“We look forward to working with both the Perth Glory and Western United to ensure the community benefits from this amazing opportunity.”

Glory CEO Tony Pignata praised the Tasmanian State Government for being so proactive in enabling the matches to take place in February.

“We’re very excited to be bringing both our ISUZU UTE A-League and Liberty A-League teams to Tasmania for what promises to be a superb week of football,” he said.

“On behalf of the club, I would like to thank the Tasmanian Government for their outstanding level of support and for being so welcoming.

“We know there is a passionate local football community in Tasmania and we are really looking forward to engaging with them during our time in the state.”

The four matches, two of which will be played as part of an A-League Men’s and A-League Women’s double-header, will take place on Sunday 20 February, Wednesday 23 February and Sunday 27 February at UTAS Stadium in Launceston.

Opponents and kick-off times will be confirmed in the coming days.

 

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Mbappé move from Nike to On signals new battle for Football’s sponsorship market

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Kylian Mbappe UEFA Euro 2024 Qualifier
Image Credit: Shutterstock

Kylian Mbappé’s decision to leave Nike after almost 20 years has opened a new chapter in the commercial battle for football’s biggest names. The Real Madrid and France star has joined Swiss sportswear brand On, a significant boon for the company on entry into the football market.

Mbappé’s departure is a significant commercial loss for Nike. The forward joined the company as a nine-year-old and grew into one of its leading football figures. His loss compounds the recent transition of Spanish star Lamine Yamal to long-time rival Adidas.

On built its reputation in running, before expanding into tennis via Roger Federer. It will now use Mbappé’s experience as it develops football products, with its first boots expected to become widely available in the near future. Former France star Thierry Henry has also joined On as its football director and is a shareholder.

On has confirmed that Mbappé’s agreement includes both cash and equity, although the financial details have not been released, gives the partnership a deeper commercial connection than a traditional endorsement deal. Nike still holds significant football contracts, including long-term partnership with numerous national teams.

However, Mbappé’s move gives On an opportunity to challenge the established order, including Nike, Adidas, Puma and other emerging competitors. But will they turn this prized signature into lasting football credibility? To do so, the brand must now deliver products that can compete on performance, design and price.

Mbappé’s switch is therefore more than a sponsorship change. It signals an increasingly competitive fight for football’s most influential athletes and the billions of fans who follow them.

SBS expands Australian Championship broadcast coverage for 2026

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Image Credits: Football Australia

The Australian Championship will enter its second season with an expanded broadcast partnership between Football Australia and SBS. The 2026 competition will feature two live SBS broadcasts in every round, marking an increase from the tournament’s debut season.

Thursday night football will form a key part of the new broadcast schedule. The opening match will see Preston Lions face Wollongong Wolves on October 15th, with the game broadcast live on SBS2 and SBS On Demand. Saturday football will also remain part of the free-to-air schedule; first up, Sutherland Sharks’ clash with South Melbourne on October 17th will be shown live on SBS and SBS On Demand.

The expanded agreement gives the competition a greater presence across SBS’s linear channels while retaining its full streaming coverage, with every match across the 2026 Australian Championship available live on SBS On Demand. The platform also provides full replays and highlights for viewers to access at their discretion.

In addition to SBS’ coverage, Football Australia will also stream the competition via YouTube.

The Australian Championship consists of a six-round group stage, finals beginning at quarter-finals from November 26, and a Grand Final scheduled currently between December 10-12.

It features 16 clubs from seven states and territories. The broadcast schedule places several historic fixtures in front of a national audience: South Melbourne will meet Sydney United 58 in a repeat of the 1999 NSL Grand Final, and Sydney Olympic and Marconi Stallions will also renew a rivalry that includes NSL Grand Final meetings in 1989 and 1990.

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