Football fans in Maroochydore, Port Macquarie and Orange, as well as in the cities of Darwin, Geelong, Launceston and Canberra will this year be treated to visiting A-League teams. The 2007 Pre-Season Cup (the annual warm-up competition to the new A-League season) kicks off on July 14 and will see each team play five matches irrespective of performances during the group stage of the competition.

The two groups are Adelaide United, Melbourne Victory, Perth Glory and Newcastle Jets (Group A); and Central Coast Mariners, Wellington Phoenix, Queensland Roar and Sydney FC (Group B).

The Pre-Season Cup Final will take place on Sunday August 12. This format will ensure that all teams will be involved in competitive matches right through till the end of the competition.

Perth Glory’s match against Melbourne Victory in the Northern Territory will also serve as the official opening of the Darwin Football Stadium.
Sydney FC was the inaugural winner of the Pre-Season Cup while Adelaide United beat Central Coast 5-4 on penalties to win the Pre-Season Cup in 2006.

See the entire 2007 Pre-Season Cup draw here.