From chilly Melbourne and Sydney to tropical Cairns and steamy Darwin, we look at the four venues set to host opening night in the Westfield FFA Cup on July 27.
Venue: ABD Stadium, Melbourne
Hosting: Hume City v Marconi Stallions
One of the most eye-catching boutique stadiums in NPL VIC, this stadium has already seen its fair share of memorable FFA Cup nights thanks to Hume’s amazing run in 2015.
The local council has ploughed millions into this venue and City are making the most of it with some excellent training facilities and a good playing surface. The investment is clearly paying off at this western Melbourne club.
Should be packed again when they face the boys from Marconi on July 27.
ABD Stadium details
Broadmeadows Valley Park, Barry Road, Melbourne
Location: http://www.whereis.com/vic/westmeadows-3049/poi-LN036001104447688
Venue: Darwin Football Stadium, Darwin
Hosting: Darwin Rovers FC v Brisbane Strikers
The hub of football in Darwin this, like Hume’s ABD, is an excellent boutique facility with a good surface (and some amazing sunset views).
It opened almost a decade ago at the Marrara Sporting Precinct and it includes two full sized football fields and a main grandstand that seats 1000 with a total capacity of about 6000.
It’s already hosted A-League teams such as Adelaide United in the Cup and the place will be buzzing when Brisbane Strikers roll into town on July 27 to face Rovers.
Darwin Football Stadium, Darwin
McMillans Road, Marrara, Darwin
Location: http://www.whereis.com/nt/marrara-0812/yellowId-LN036001101000719
Venue: Barlow Park, Cairns
Hosting: FNQ Heat v Edgeworth FC
This is a multi-sport facility just outside the main centre of Cairns a couple of blocks from the Cairns Central Shopping Centre.
There is a small stand but most of the venue allows grass seating with the stadium capable of holding up to 20,000 fans.
The pitch is also encircled by a running track.
After the game, wander down to the Cairns Promenade for plenty of bars and restaurants.
Barlow Park, Cairns
Cnr Scott and Severin Streets, Parramatta Park, Cairns
Venue: Lilys Football Centre, Sydney
Hosting: Blacktown City v Sydney United 58
Lilys is a football institution in Sydney’s west, hosting a myriad of five a side football comps and, back in the day, being home to a former NSL club.
Lilys is not too far from Parramatta and easily accessible by road - and there’s Seven Hills train station just down the road.
There is a good size main grandstand, the pitch is all-weather so it is artificial but there’s nothing artificial about the atmosphere– the joint will be rocking when the two heavyweights of NPL NSW in 2016 come face to face.
Over a million dollars was put in to upgrade the facility in the last couple of years to make it a brilliant boutique venue.
So warm up with a hot drink on what should be a chilly night in Sydney’s west and enjoy the football and the club’s facilities after the match.
You’ll love it here.
Lilys Football Centre, Sydney
5 Quinn Ave, Seven Hills
