Fiorentina open doors to new Viola Park complex

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Viola Park
Image credit: FIFA

Fiorentina’s new Viola Park training facility in Italy’s Serie A has officially opened, and the complex includes two mini-stadiums.

Viola Park, located east of Florence, will be the new home for the club’s women’s and youth teams, as well as the men’s team’s training facility. The complex has two stadiums (one with 3,000 seats and one with 1,500) and 10 pitches, as well as several other club amenities such as office space, media facilities, and a chapel.

The club celebrated the launch with a stunning drone show, which concluded a ceremony that included a video greeting from FIFA President Gianni Infantino.

“The challenge nowadays for all clubs is to modernise while respecting football’s great traditions, and this new training ground and club headquarters will take Fiorentina firmly into the future,” he said via press release.

“Viola Park is a beautiful, state-of-the-art facility. It represents an investment – not only for professional football, but also for youth football – and I am especially pleased that the women’s teams will also have use of these facilities.

“I have visited many sports centres, but this one that my very dear friend [Fiorentina owner] Rocco [Commisso] has built here, is a world-beater and I can’t wait to come back to Florence to see the finished version.”

The project, which has a budget of at least €75 million ($125 million) and was initially announced almost three years ago to the day, has been funded by Commisso’s family.

Separately, Fiorentina intends to renovate its Stadio Artemio Franchi, which opened in 1931 and has a current capacity of roughly 43,000 people. The Franchi is owned by the municipality, which is heading the proposed rehabilitation project.

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Community consultation opens for Ashburton’s Warner Reserve pavilion upgrade

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Image Credit: City of Boroondara

Community consultation has opened on the proposed redevelopment of the Warner Reserve pavilion in Ashburton. Early planning is underway to modernise the facility and improve amenities for local sporting clubs and community users.

The city of Boroondara has received $80,000 in Victorian Government funding to prepare concept designs. They will undertake community consultation as part of planning for the proposed upgrade.

While construction is currently scheduled for the 2032-33 financial year, the project could be brought forward if additional funding is secured.

The proposed redevelopment would see existing pavilion replaced with a modern facility better positioned to service the reserve. Plans include two new changerooms with toilets and showers, a multipurpose community space with a kitchen and canteen, a first aid room, umpire facilities, an externally accessible public toilet and a covered spectator viewing area.

The proposed new look pavilion at Warner Reserve. Image Credit: City of Boroondara

The concept also allows for the future addition of two extra changerooms, should participation levels continue to grow.

As part of the proposal, the existing playground would be relocated to improve visibility and open space within the reserve. Six trees identified for removal would also be replaced with new plantings elsewhere in Warner Reserve.

Residents, sporting clubs and reserve users are encouraged to provide feedback on the proposal before consultation closes on 15 September. Feedback will help refine the concept design before the project progresses to future planning and funding stages.

If delivered, the redevelopment is expected to improve facilities for local sporting clubs and community groups while providing more inclusive amenities to support growing participation across community sport.

SBS confirms exclusive Australian rights to 2030 FIFA World Cup

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Editorial credit: kovop

SBS has officially secured the exclusive Australian broadcast rights to the 2030 FIFA World Cup, meaning Australians will again be able to watch all 104 matches of the tournament live and free. The network will carry the tournament across television, video and radio and, as with 2026, all games will be streamed via SBS On Demand. 

The agreement was confirmed on 1 September, and will see the long-running partnership between the broadcaster and FIFA extend to 44 years. SBS first broadcast the World Cup 1986, when Argentina won the tournament in Mexico.

SBS Managing Director Jane Palfreyman said the World Cup remained central to the broadcaster’s role in Australian football, bringing Australians together across cultures, languages and communities.

The new deal follows a strong 2026 edition. More than 18 million Australians watched the coverage, while SBS also recorded more than 209 million hours of consumption across its World Cup content. Approximately 55 per cent of this consumption came via digital platforms. SBS offered full matches alongside shorter ‘mini match’ recaps through SBS On Demand.

First reporting that SBS and FIFA had extended their partnership emerged in July, although had remained unconfirmed until this point.

The latest announcement confirms that reporting. The earlier report also highlighted the importance of the deal for Australian football fans. SBS would retain a free-to-air pathway to every World Cup match. The deal also gives certainty around one of the biggest sporting properties in the world. This is particularly relevant as FIFA and its president Gianni Infantino come under increased pressure.

The 2022 edition saw FIFA increase its valuation over broadcast rights, with key markets such as China having a price tag of $349 million ($250 million USD) from the governing body. For Australian football, the significance goes beyond the tournament itself.

The World Cup remains one of the sport’s biggest drivers of mainstream attention. Keeping every match live and free gives Australian fans continued access to the competition without a subscription barrier.

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