WA Government says AC Milan's previous trip crucial in ensuring looming pre-season game against Perth Glory

West Australian

19-05-2025

Tourism Misiter Reece Whitby says AC Milan's positive experience in Perth last year was crucial to their decision to return to WA for pre-season preparations this year.
However, local fans will face a fight for tickets, with a smaller stadium hosting this year's game and 3000 tickets being reserved for interstate and overseas punters.
The European giants and 19-time Serie A winner's return to WA for the second year running was officially announced on Monday, with Milan to play Perth Glory at HBF Park on July 31.
After last year's post-season friendly against fellow Italian powerhouse AS Roma attracted more than 56,000 fans to Optus Stadium, the Rossoneri have committed to Perth being the final leg of their pre-season Asia-Pacific trip following games against Arsenal and Liverpool in Hong Kong respectively.
Whitby said the feedback they received from both Italian clubs about last year's game was overwhelmingly positive and they were delighted to host the seven-time European champions once again.
'It was critical, that experience in Perth was such a positive event, a positive experience for the players. The feedback we're getting, they still talk about how they enjoyed themselves,' he said.
'You can imagine that in some parts of the world, they're not able to go out and do anything without intense scrutiny, but here we have a laid back approach to things.
'They certainly get recognized, but they felt they were really able to relax and enjoy themselves. They had a good fun, we have a big Italian community, which welcomes them.
'They felt at home here and they really enjoyed getting over to Rottnest and going to Kings Park and doing all the other things tourists like to do.'
Deputy Premier Rita Saffioti said Milan officials had recently re-visited Perth and praised the facilities on offer
'The feedback from Milan's commercial director team is our training facilities, our playing facilities are some of the best in the world,' she said.
'They recently came and inspected the Sam Kerr (Football) Centre and they said it's comparable to anything they've seen around the world.
'The other thing we have for us, not only great facilities, but as they explain it, their travel time between playing, training and their hotels is very short compared to some other countries.'
Whitby said last year's inter-Italian clash lured 7500 interstate and overseas visitors to Perth and brought $9m into the local economy.
3000 tickets would be set aside for interstate and overseas fans and HBF Park's 20,500 capacity means the game will likely sell-out, but substantially less tickets will be on offer for locals compared to last year.
'When we invest in these events, there is a great return to to the West Australian economy. We don't do it unless there's a net gain for the West Australian economy,' Whitby said.
'We want to see more people come to this state, see people spending money in our cafes and shops and hotels, having a good time, and coming back again.'
Reports surfaced earlier this month Milan could potentially play a Serie A game outside of Italy early next year, with Perth emerging as a candidate amid a reported offer from the State Government.
While The West understands the State Government is still eager to lure a Serie A game — which would be the first played on foreign soil by any of Europe's top leagues — any proposal would needed to be signed off on by both the league and European governing body UEFA.
When asked about the reported interest, Whitby said the Government were always investigating events to bring to the state.
'We will go after any event we can, we're not shy about reaching out for wonderful, bockbuster events,' he said.
'WA tourism and the WA Government are doing a great job securing blockbuster events. If there's opportunities for more, we'll go after it.'