Melbourne City relocates Champions League match to Ikon Park
Carlton’s Ikon Park will host top-flight football for the first time in almost 25 years, after Melbourne City was forced to shift their AFC Champions League fixture due to the unavailability of AAMI Park.
Previously known as Princes Park, the venue was the home of former NSL club Carlton Soccer Club from 1997.
The match against Zhejiang FC will be played on Tuesday 12 December commencing at 8:30pm with tickets now on sale.
Melbourne City had a 3-3 draw with Japanese side Ventforet Kofu at the Japan National Stadium on Wednesday in their Group H clash, leaving the two teams equal on eight points in the standings.
There are concerns over AAMI Park’s pitch following two recent Robbie Williams concerts and two upcoming Foo Fighters concerts to be held on December 4 and 6 at the Melbourne rectangular stadium.
In a letter to members, Melbourne City CEO Brad Rowse said, “When looking at venues to host our AFC Champions League home games, AAMI Park was understandably our first choice. And why wouldn’t it be, AAMI Park is our home.
“Subsequent restoration works to the playing surface at AAMI Park following the concerts meant AAMI Park was unable to accommodate our fixture on December 12. Requests submitted to the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) to move this fixture to a later date were denied, forcing us to explore alternative venues for our final group match.
“AFC requirements for broadcast and VAR compliance, as well as minimum standards for both pitch quality and lighting, meant Princes Park in Carlton North was the best available venue within Victoria that met all criteria.
“Whilst it’s not AAMI Park, we’re confident the City family will make it feel like home and get behind the boys as they look to make it through to the knockout stages of the AFC Champions League for the first time.”
The $50 million stage three of the Ikon Park redevelopment was completed in 2022, including a new match day pavilion, seating, broadcast-standard lighting and video screen.
The venue will host the 2023 AFLW Grand Final on Sunday, with the match sold out and around 12,000 spectators expected. The venue’s capacity has been reduced in recent years due to the construction and expansion of Carlton’s training and administration facility. It previously had a capacity of 35,000.
Meanwhile, the A-League club has also relocated an upcoming women’s fixture, with the round 7 ALW fixture against Perth Glory moved to BT Connor Reserve (Genis Steel Stadium) in Reservoir.
The match was scheduled to be the first competitive fixture at the new City Football Academy at Casey Fields.
Rowse said, “Simply put, we want your first experience at Casey Fields to be nothing short of amazing, and with construction ongoing at the City Football Academy due to COVID related building delays, we believe a bit more time is needed before we’re ready to welcome members and fans.
“Secondly, it was important for us to select a venue that met the highest standards in terms of playing surface and fan experience, and we know that Genis Steel Stadium (B.T. Connor Reserve) offers both. We’d like to thank our friends at Preston Lions FC for accommodating the City family this December.
“With works continuing at Casey Fields at breakneck pace, we hope to welcome fans to an A-League Women’s match very soon.”
