Football fanatics and families alike will be able to enjoy a big-screen viewing of the AFL Grand Final at Riverway Stadium this weekend.
Townsville City Council and AFL – with the support of the Queensland Government through Tourism and Events Queensland – are hosting a free, family-friendly event from 4 pm until 10 pm this Saturday to celebrate the first-ever Queensland AFL Grand Final.
Sport and Recreation Committee Chair Maurie Soars said he is excited that Townsville could play host to a grand final event for a history-making match.
“This has been a year with unique challenges for sporting codes across the board, but it’s a huge coup for Queensland to have secured the first-ever AFL Grand Final outside of Victoria,” Cr Soars said.
“I’m thrilled that Townsville is hosting an event at Riverway Stadium and that families and AFL fans will have a chance to share in the excitement of the Grand Final, regardless of whether their favourite team is playing or not.”
Cr Soars said this event, like others held at Council venues, would have COVID-19 contract tracing in place.
“I want to assure residents that COVID contact registration will be taking place on entry at the event through QR code or manual registration,” he said.
“As usual, we ask residents to ensure they maintain a 1.5m distance from others and follow directions from staff to ensure that COVID restrictions are being adhered too.”
The event will also include live music, roaming performers, food vendors, and football-related activities for the kids.
Cr Soars said he is excited to see Riverway Stadium host the grand final viewing.
“Riverway Stadium is the home of AFL in Townsville and with any luck, will be the home ground for some future stars in the making,” he said.
“I’m hopeful that kids watching this on the big screen, seeing the players on the field for Queensland’s first ever Grand Final, will be inspired to get active and either join the large AFL community in Townsville, or join any other sport.”
For more information, visit What’s On Townsville here.