Current English Premier League clubs heading to Queensland

Liam Watson
Football Queensland

Football Queensland has pledged their support for the EVA Air Queensland Champions Cup, to be played across three venues across the state during July.

Queensland will be the host for current English Premier League (EPL) sides Crystal Palace F.C. and West Ham United F.C. this July when they feature as part of the EVA Air Queensland Champions Cup alongside A-League outfit Brisbane Roar F.C.

The week-long tournament will take place between 11 July – 18 July 2020, where the EVA Air Queensland Champions Cup will see each club participate in two games – the side which amasses the most points will claim the inaugural title.

The tournament will begin at Townsville’s brand-new Queensland Country Bank Stadium on Saturday 11 July when Brisbane Roar F.C. face Crystal Palace FC. On Wednesday 15 July, the Roar travel to Cbus Super Stadium on the Gold Coast to play West Ham United F.C. To round out the fixtures, the two London clubs will meet at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane on Saturday 18 July.

The following details have been provided by Football Queensland for anyone interested in attending the event:

Pre-sale tickets will be available via Telstra Plus™ from 10.00am AEST  Friday 6 March before the general public on-sale at 12.00pm AEST on Wednesday 11 March from www.ticketek.com.au.  Official corporate hospitality and VIP fan packages are available from today through TEG Live Hospitality, VIP NOW, including suites, boxes and VIP functions head to www.vipnow.com.au.

Delivered to Queensland by the Queensland Government via Tourism and Events Queensland in conjunction with TEG Live and 2020 EVA Air Queensland Champions Cup partners, Stadiums Queensland, City of Townsville and City of Gold Coast, football fans from across Australia and abroad will be able to watch in person the only EPL clubs currently confirmed to be coming to Australian shores this year.

2020 EVA AIR QUEENSLAND CHAMPIONS CUP SCHEDULE

Note – kick off times are subject to change

Brisbane Roar F.C. vs Crystal Palace F.C.
Saturday 11 July (6.30pm AEST)
Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville

Brisbane Roar F.C. vs West Ham United F.C.
Wednesday 15 July (7.30pm AEST)
Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast

Crystal Palace F.C. vs West Ham United F.C.
Saturday 18 July (7.30pm AEST)
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

TELSTRA PLUS™ PRE-SALE

10.00am AEST, Friday 6 March – 9.59am AEST, Monday 9 March 2020

GENERAL PUBLIC ON-SALE

12.00pm AEST on Wednesday 11 March from www.ticketek.com.au

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Football Queensland Academy leads Northern player development

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Football Queensland

Football Queensland (FQ) has celebrated a successful year of player development in the Northern region across youth and junior football through the FQ Academy.

The FQ Academy is Queensland’s only recognised way for players to achieve state and national team representation and showed significant progress over 2024. The Northern region covers some of Queensland’s rural major hubs, including Townsville, Charters Towers, Ayr and Ingham.

In the Northen region, over 150 players participated in the FQ Acadamy across the U9 to U16 age groups, illustrating the influence of adopting Football Australia’s latest national technical standards.

The success of the FQ Academy in the Northern region was further embellished through the selection of 10 local players in Queensland state teams, to compete at the Girls and Boys National Youth Championships in Melbourne and Wollongong.

FQ General Manager, Football & State Technical Director, Gabor Ganczer, expressed his joy for the achievements in the Northern region.

“2024 has been a tremendous year for football in the Northern region, with significant strides in player development as the FQ Academy continues to play a pivotal role in providing young athletes with access to world-class coaching and competitive platforms that continue to raise the standard of football in the region,” he said via press release.

“The progress seen throughout the region is the result of a sustained, long-term approach to player development, with a focus on upskilling coaches and equipping clubs with the tools and resources they need to ensure all players are supported at every stage of their journey.”  

FQ Senior Manager, Technical (Northern Conference), Michael Edwards applauded the work of the FQ Academy.

“The inclusion of local players in the Queensland state teams highlights the significant impact of the continued investment in Northern football programs, helping to elevate talented athletes to elite levels of competition,” he said in a press release.

“The foundation we’ve laid this year, with the FQ Academy at the forefront, will not only set the stage for greater success in the years to come but also drive the continued growth of football in the Northern region and beyond, ensuring clear and accessible pathways for all players to achieve their goals and reach their full potential.”  

Football Queensland remains committed to developing the level of coaching skill and to enhancing player development in the Northern region in 2025 and beyond.

Premier League’s 3pm Blackout Could End After 60 Years

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Image credit: Premier League

The long-standing 3pm broadcasting blackout for Premier League and EFL matches may soon be a thing of the past.

According to The Sun, the restriction could be lifted within the next five years, potentially reshaping the football viewing landscape in the UK.

The Current Situation

The blackout, which has been in place for six decades, prevents live broadcasting of games played at 3pm on Saturdays.

This rule aims to safeguard attendance at lower-league matches by encouraging fans to watch games in person rather than on television.

The Premier League’s new four-year broadcasting deal, set to begin next season, will maintain the blackout. However, both the Premier League and EFL agreements are scheduled to expire at the conclusion of the 2028-29 season, opening the door for significant changes.

Changing Perspectives

Traditionally seen as essential to protect matchday attendance, the blackout’s relevance is being questioned.

EFL studies suggest that televising matches has minimal impact on crowd numbers, challenging the necessity of the rule.

With a surge in live games on TV and digital platforms, the football community is increasingly debating whether the blackout is outdated.

Currently, the Premier League broadcasts 270 matches per season, leaving 110 games locked behind the blackout, and this has become increasingly controversial with local fans left frustrated at the fact they can’t watch all of their teams games.

Piracy Concerns

The blackout has inadvertently contributed to the rise in illegal streaming. Fans often resort to using devices like “cracked Fire Sticks” to watch Saturday 3pm matches, undermining the very attendance-focused intent of the restriction.

Recently, the Premier League have cracked down on piracy, threatening jail time and/or a large fine for anyone who illegally streams games that are affected by the blackout.

What’s Next?

Although the blackout remains in place for now, its future is under scrutiny. As midweek fixtures are exempt from the rule, every Premier League game this week is available for streaming on Amazon Prime.

The decision to lift the blackout will likely come as part of broader broadcasting negotiations, potentially marking the end of a long-standing tradition and redefining how fans experience English football.

With the rule being considered ‘outdated’ by many, the 2028-29 proposed change comes at the right time. Both the Premier League and the EFL can capitalise on an even bigger national TV rights deal, strengthening both leagues’ finances.

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