The heart of the Riverbank Precinct will be transformed into a football fan zone – but with activities for everyone – as part of three huge days of celebrations for Adelaide’s biggest sporting weekend when Liverpool Football Club comes to town.
More than 100,000 people are expected to visit the Riverbank Precinct across the weekend as the Adelaide Oval hosts two major sporting events over consecutive days – the Power versus Crows Showdown and Liverpool FC’s highly-anticipated tour match against Adelaide United.
To mark the occasion, Elder Park will become a sea of red, featuring specialist lighting and flags to welcome the boys from Liverpool, and will play host to a specially-designed football fan zone aimed to provide fun activities and food for locals and fans alike.
The football fan zone in Elder Park will include a virtual penalty shootout under a 12 metre by 12 metre dome, where people of all ages will be able to take part in the interactive experience and to share their attempt at a goal on social media.
There will also be a rotating schedule of food and beverage options over the three days from Saturday 18 July to Monday 20 July, including the “Claymore Club” at the Blue Hive on the southern end of the Riverbank Bridge.
Claymore Wines is the official wine sponsor of Liverpool FC’s Australian tour. Many businesses in Leigh, Peel and Bank streets will be open during the events, with some extending their trading hours on Sunday and Monday to capitalise on the extra people in town.
Renewal SA General Manager for People and Place Management Georgina Vasilevski said the football fan zones were a way to make the most of the massive opportunity in having thousands of people visit the Riverbank for Liverpool FC vs Adelaide United game and the Crows vs Port Showdown.
“More than 100,000 people are expected to visit the Riverbank Precinct in the space of a single weekend, providing a unique opportunity to get more people to see the potential of the Riverbank and to test ideas for enhancing the game day experience,” Ms Vasilevski said.
“There will be activities for everyone across the weekend, including bubble soccer, foosball and air hockey. Regardless of who you support, this is an open invitation to come down to the Riverbank to take part in activities in one of our two football fan zones.
“In Elder Park, fans of all ages can attempt a penalty shootout on a big screen as part of a virtual reality interactive experience, where there will also be a huge range of food and drink options, face painters and a DJ.
“The Blue Hive on the southern end of the Riverbank Bridge will be a hub for football fans and locals to enjoy food, drinks music and use Instagram photo booths in what’s been named the Claymore Club.
“We’re keen to show that even if you’re not going to the game or event – you can still enjoy the experience of it being in the Riverbank Precinct.”
And there’ll be something for AFL fans too, with plenty of activities and Fork on the Road food trucks in Elder Park on Sunday 19 July for the Showdown between Port Power and the Adelaide Crows.
Liverpool FC is England’s most successful club with 41 major honours. They are 18 times champions of England and five times champions of Europe. The team returns to Australia this month as part of their 2015 pre-season tour. Liverpool FC will play Adelaide United to a capacity crowd of 54,000 people at Adelaide Oval for the first time on Monday 20 July.
Event times Football Fan Zone, Elder Park:
Saturday 18 July – 12pm – 5pm
Sunday 19 July – 12pm – 4pm
Monday 20 July – 2pm – 7pm
Claymore Club, Blue Hive (Riverbank promenade):
Saturday 18 July – 1pm – late
Sunday 19 July – 1pm – late
Monday 20 July – 1pm – late
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