NPLVIC Dockerty Cup Final will NOT be hosted in Ballarat, per FV

Kingston Heath, home of the Bentleigh Greens is set to host this season's Dockerty Cup final instead of Ballarat

Despite initial reports suggesting that Ballarat would host the 2019 Dockerty Cup final, Kingston Heath Soccer Complex has been announced as the host venue for the contest.

The news came prior to the first of the two semi finals, which took place last night. Hume City eked out a 1-0 win against NPL2 West ladder leaders Moreland Zebras, booking their tickets in the big final.

NPL2 East promotion contenders Bulleen Lions will face the Melbourne Knights tonight to see who will progress and face the team from Broadmeadows.

Kingston Heath (home of the Bentleigh Greens) being announced as the host venue for the final came as a surprise to some people, with many believing the game would be held in Ballarat.

Regional Victoria has been crying out for some mainstream exposure and the decision to not move the final to Ballarat has upset some people.

However, despite the understandable disappointment from some, FV CEO Peter Filopoulos has decreed the intention to host a final in regional Victoria is still there.

It would be a great sight to see a cup final in Ballarat. The facilities in the Golden City are tremendous, making it ripe for the picking. But clearly, FV have struggled to organise it this season, meaning we will need to be a little more patient.

But for some, patience is running thin.

What do you think of the decision to host the Dockerty Cup final in Bentleigh as opposed to Ballarat? Let us know what you think on social media.

Get involved in the discussion @soccersceneau on Twitter.

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IMG takes commercial lead on inaugural FIFA ASEAN Cup

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Image Credit: Vietnam Football Federation

IMG has been appointed to lead the global commercialisation of the inaugural FIFA ASEAN Cup, giving the new Southeast Asian national-team competition an established international sports business partner ahead of its first edition.

Under the strategic partnership, IMG will manage worldwide media and sponsorship rights sales while also overseeing broadcast production for the tournament, which takes place from 24 September to 5 October across Indonesia and Hong Kong, China.

The inaugural competition will feature 14 national teams, including all 11 ASEAN members alongside guest nations, with matches split between two divisions. Division 2 fixtures will be played in Jakarta and Badung, while Division 2 matches will be played in Hong Kong.

The agency’s role will include selling sponsorship and media inventory internationally while helping establish the broadcast infrastructure required to present the tournament to audiences outside Southeast Asia.

The partnership builds on IMG’s existing strategic relationship with PT Garuda Sepak Bola Indonesia, which has been working with the Football Association of Indonesia since 2025 on areas including commercial strategy, media rights, production and digital development.

For FIFA, the tournament creates another international football property in a region with a large and increasingly connected football audience.

For IMG, it adds another major regional property to a football portfolio that already includes competitions and organisations across Europe, the Americas, Asia and Africa.

The immediate challenge will be turning the inaugural tournament into a sustainable commercial property capable of attracting broadcasters and sponsors beyond its first edition.

If successful, the FIFA ASEAN Cup could provide Southeast Asian national teams with a recurring commercial platform while giving IMG another foothold in one of football’s developing markets.

Adelaide United renews StudyAdelaide partnership for Asian campaign

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Image Credit: AFC

Adelaide United has brought back a familiar commercial partner for its return to continental competition, with StudyAdelaide signing on as front-of-shirt sponsor for the club’s 2026/27 AFC Champions League Two campaign.

The partnership reconnects two South Australian organisations after StudyAdelaide previously featured on Adelaide United’s shirt during their 2010 AFC Champions League campaign.

Adelaide commenced their six-match group-stage campaign on Thursday at Hindmarsh, defeating Hong Kong’s Tai Po 3-0.

For StudyAdelaide, the value of the partnership extends beyond traditional football sponsorship. The organisation, a partnership between the South Australian Government and more than 50 education institutions, is using Adelaide United’s Asian competition to promote South Australia as an international study destination.

The club’s continental schedule provides exposure in several key Asian markets, with Adelaide travelling to face BG Pathum United in Thailand and Lion City Sailors in Singapore during the group stage.

StudyAdelaide chief executive Jane Johnston said the partnership would provide a great opportunity to connect with young people across Asia.

“Having StudyAdelaide featured throughout this international competition is a unique platform to connect with young people across Asia and highlight the many reasons South Australia is their best option to study, live and build a career,” Johnston said.

The deal illustrates how football’s international competitions can provide commercial value beyond traditional brand exposure, particularly for organisations looking to promote to a specific or new region.

The Reds’ ACL Two campaign continues against BG Pathum United in Thailand on October 15.

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