Following the AFL’s commitment to hold a Toyota AFL Premiership Season match in Shanghai for another three years, Tourism Australia has announced it will continue its support as the AFL’s official tourism partner.

And the Saints will be bolstered by this support when they face Port Adelaide in Shanghai in 2019.

In 2015, the Australian Government launched its International Sports Diplomacy strategy to support the development of closer relationships with countries around the world, and putting on AFL matches in China is part of that strategy in action.

READ: Saints tour Shanghai

After seeing two matches between Port Adelaide and the Gold Coast, Shanghai’s sport lovers and travelling fans in 2019 will witness the ‘Shanghai Showdown’ between Port and the St Kilda Football Club.

“Tourism Australia is delighted to bring AFL to Shanghai for the third time running,” said Tourism Australia Managing Director John O’Sullivan.

“The last two matches in Shanghai have been a resounding success with sports enthusiasts in Shanghai along with travelling fans filling out the Adelaide Arena at Jiangwan stadium.

“AFL matches being played in China provide a fantastic opportunity to promote Australia as the tourism destination of choice through sport.”

Tourism Australia has been the official tourism partner for the staging of AFL matches in China since the inaugural match in 2017.