Current A-League champions the Central Coast Mariners will take on the Wellington Phoenix in an official A-League pre-season match at Rotorua International Stadium on Sunday, September 22.

The Phoenix, under new Head Coach Ernie Merrick, will be based in Rotorua in the days leading up to the game participating in activities with local football clubs. The team, led by captain Andrew Durante, will feature stalwarts Ben Sigmund, Paul Ifill and Vince Lia, alongside New Zealand Under 20’s representatives Louis Fenton and Tyler Boyd. Costa Rican international Carlos Hernandez, the club’s latest high-profile signing will also feature.

Wellington Phoenix General Manager David Dome said that fixtures such as this enable football fans outside of the Capital to experience professional football.

“By being able to host top class pre-season matches in regional centres, we are able to spread the coverage of the A-League across the country without losing the home base of Westpac Stadium in Wellington. We are thrilled to be playing in Rotorua this season,” Dome said.

WaiBoP Football Board member and President of Rotorua United Deryck Shaw noted that “The Rotorua and wider Bay of Plenty Football community is excited to have the Phoenix in Rotorua. 

“It is hard to remember a bigger football event in Rotorua in the last 20 years. This game has given the local football community an opportunity to work together to create a Football Festival weekend with the Phoenix v Mariners fixture as the feature event.”

Tickets for the fixture will go on sale on Wednesday 17 July from Ticketmaster and Rotorua Convention Centre.