The Hyundai A-League’s reach grows even further in Season 2016/17 with games at a host of first-time venues and regional areas.
After the reveal of the new draw last Thursday, no fewer than nine games will be shifted to different grounds as the Hyundai A-League gospel is spread around Australia and New Zealand.Â
From Coffs to Canberra, Waikato to New Plymouth, the Hyundai will reach far and wide in the new campaign.
Fixture focus: Grand Final rematch
Fixture focus: Summer of Football
It all starts in Round 6 – which is also the inaugural Remembrance Round – as the Central Coast Mariners take their home game against Wellington Phoenix to GIO Stadium in Canberra (Saturday, November 12).
It’s the first of two games the Mariners are taking to the nation’s capital, with their Round 18 clash against champions Adelaide United (Sunday, Feb 5) also at the venue.
The Phoenix are doing their best to be a team to represent all of New Zealand taking four home games around the country.
Hamilton’s Waikato Stadium will play host to their Round 10 clash against the Mariners on Saturday, December 10, while a week later it’s off to Auckland to play Western Sydney Wanderers at Mt Smart Stadium.
In February, Yarrow’s Stadium in New Plymouth gets its turn for Hyundai A-League action for the visit of the Wanderers again, while the Round 22 “Distance Derby” against Perth Glory will be played at Auckland’s QBE Stadium.
The Hyundai A-League also head to Coffs Harbour for their first time in Round 17.
Fixture focus: Melbourne Derby
Newcastle Jets are taking their home clash against the free-scoring Melbourne City to C.ex Coffs International Stadium on Friday, January 27.
Melbourne Victory, who played out a thrilling 3-3 draw with the Mariners at Simonds Stadium last season, will return to Geelong in 2016/17, this time as the home side.
Kevin Muscat’s troops are taking their home clash against the Jets on January 2 (Monday) to Geelong. Let’s hope we can see a repeat of the entertainment we saw last season.
With their spiritual home at Parramatta under construction, the Wanderers will take one of their games to Campbelltown Stadium, hosting the Jets there in Round 16.