AUSTRALIA is bidding to host one of football's most prestigious events with Sydney and Melbourne aiming to bring the world's biggest football exhibition Soccerex down under.
Soccerex is the mecca of football business and hosting the premier league event would be a major boost to Australia's profile in the sport's global marketplace.
Brazil is hosting the next two global meetings in the lead up to the 2014 FIFA World Cup but while Africa and Europe have regular regional events, Soccerex has only visited Asia once before, in Singapore in 2010.
But with Australia securing hosting rights for the 2015 AFC Asian Cup, and Soccerex keen to link its events with the build up to major tournaments, Australia is a strong contender to host some of the world football's key identities.
Tribal Sports Management, Soccerex's official agents in Australia, confirmed negotiations are well advanced with Australia's two biggest cities in the running to host in 2013 and 2014 as representatives of football's fastest growing region, Asia.
“It would certainly be a big coup if we got them here,” TSM's GM business development Robert Kufersin told au.fourfourtwo.com.
“The major global event generally gets around 1500 delegates including senior FIFA officials, key commercial decision-makers, and club delegates. For an Asian Soccerex we'd be looking at around 1000 delegates.
“Both (Sydney and Melbourne) governments have expressed a keen interest in making a proposal.”
In what could prove a unique move, Sydney's ANZ Stadium is being considered as a potential venue, partly due to the impending closure of the city's exhibition centre for redevelopments.
In addition to bringing Soccerex to our shores, TSM are seeking to leverage their relationship help Australian brands connect with the group's global network.
As both parties are keen on agreeing a deal, Kufersin said he saw few stumbling blocks to an Australian event so long as Soccerex's commercial requirements were met.
“You have very senior officials such as Sepp Blatter and Michel Platini attending the global forums," said Kufersin. “Anyone involved in the football business stands to benefit from a Soccerex in Australia.
“There is a nice fit with the Asian Cup and it works in with their view of running events in the lead up to major competitions.
“We are facilitating the conversation between Soccerex and the potential host city governments.”
A decision is expected later this year.
