Consortium appointed to create Asian Cup opening ceremony
The opening ceremony of the AFC Asian Cup in January will be produced by a consortium of sport event specialists Twenty3 Sports + Entertainment and creative technology firm Spinifex Group.
The announcement:
A consortium of sport event specialists Twenty3 Sport + Entertainment and creative technology firm Spinifex Group has been appointed to produce the AFC Asian Cup opening ceremony and other creative elements of the tournament.
AFC Asian Cup Australia 2015 Local Organising Committee CEO Michael Brown announced the appointment following a competitive tender process.
The consortium has worked on major international sporting events including the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics and the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics Opening Ceremony.
The companies also have extensive local event management experience including Vivid Sydney, Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival, Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival, AFL, Hyundai A-League, Australian Open tennis and World Youth Day.
“Co-ordinating and delivering the various creative and activation elements of the tournament across five cities is no small task, however the Twenty3-Spinifex team have the experience and skill needed to bring the AFC Asian Cup to life off the pitch,” Mr Brown said.
Head of the Twenty3-Spinifex consortium John Tripodi said: “We’re delighted to have been selected to work with the LOC on an event presentation strategy and delivering a football experience with a difference to local Australian fans and those fans visiting our shores from across Asia.
“It was very pleasing to learn that we share the LOC’s vision to deliver key off-the-field components of the tournament, from the opening ceremony to spectator activations, with the football fan at the heart of all activities.”
Spinifex Executive Producer Nik Goldsworthy said: “We’re thrilled to be part of a home grown consortium that will provide world-class sports entertainment to football fans attending the Asian Cup, and indeed to millions of people throughout Asia when they tune in to watch what will be an exciting and memorable opening ceremony.”
The Opening Ceremony will be staged at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium immediately before the opening game which sees the Socceroos take on Kuwait on January 9, 2015.
The AFC Asian Cup is Asia’s biggest football competition and was established in 1956.
The 16 nations to qualify are Australia as hosts, defending champions Japan, Bahrain, China, DPR Korea, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Korea Republic, Kuwait, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Uzbekistan.
The 16 finalists will take part in a 23-day festival of football in five cities which the Socceroos will kick off on January 9, 2015, in Melbourne, with the final set for Sydney’s Stadium Australia on January 31, 2015.
The tournament is being financially supported by the Australian Government and the NSW, Victorian, Queensland and ACT Governments.
Fox Sports will broadcast the AFC Asian Cup throughout Australia.
Source: Local organising committee AFC Asian Cup Australia 2015
