Cazalys Stadium set to host inaugural T20 Cairns Gold Clash

Cazalys Stadium will play host to one of the biggest sporting events Cairns has ever seen, with the inaugural T20 Cairns Gold Clash, Footy vs Cricket, officially launched this morning in front of players, media and community stakeholders.

Set down for Sunday, November 22, the event is an Australian first, bringing cricket royalty and footy legends together on the same field in a fast paced, entertainment led T20 showdown. The concept is inspired by New Zealand’s hugely successful T20 Black Clash, which has run for eight years and delivered sold out stadiums and record television audiences.

Team Cricket, backed by Woolworths, will be led by Usman Khawaja, Matthew Hayden and Michael Hussey, three of Australia’s most decorated batsmen with a combined haul of multiple World Cup titles and thousands of international runs between them. Standing opposite them, Team Footy, backed by Oxworks and coached by former New Zealand Test captain and five-time IPL winning coach Stephen Fleming, brings together rugby league and AFL greats Johnathan Thurston, Sam Burgess, Dale Thomas and Joel Selwood.

Tennis champion Ash Barty has been confirmed as the event’s first wildcard selection, joining as a rare dual code athlete having previously represented the Brisbane Heat in the Women’s Big Bash League. Duco Events has confirmed further player announcements will roll out in the lead up to game day, including an international cricketing legend set to join Team Footy as their own wildcard pick.

The event is expected to draw almost 12,000 fans to Cazalys Stadium, delivering millions of dollars in economic impact to Tropical North Queensland as visitors fill hotels, back local businesses and explore the region’s attractions. A full program of community events is planned in the lead up, including youth cricket clinics, player signings and fan giveaways.

Speaking at the launch, AFL Cairns General Manager Craig Lees thanked Duco Events for choosing Cairns, saying the city would not be disappointed and that AFL Cairns and Cazalys would pride themselves on over delivering. He also acknowledged the Queensland Government, Cairns Regional Council, Tourism Events Queensland and Tourism Tropical North Queensland for their genuine collaboration and alignment in bringing the event to life, alongside the AFL Cairns board for its leadership throughout the process.

Lees said hosting the Gold Clash was a serious vote of confidence in Cairns as a major events destination, and that Cazalys Stadium, tested by international cricketers for two decades and home to AFL premiership matches, was ready to deliver an unforgettable experience for the region.

Mayor Amy Eden said the event promised plenty of entertainment along with some friendly rivalry between the codes, calling it exactly the kind of major event Cairns wants to attract. Duco Events promoter David Higgins said the event would bring an entirely new sporting spectacle to Australian audiences, following eight years of success in New Zealand.

Tickets go on sale August 20, with fans able to pre-register now for early bird access at goldclash.com.au.

For all Media Enquiries

Dave Warner

AFL Cairns

dave@aflcairns.com.au

0412 248 422