- Italian football legends visit Western Australia ahead of Calcio Italiano football matches this August
- Friendly matches between AC Milan, FC Internazionale Milano, Juventus and Palermo part of Winter of Unmissable Sport in WA
- Events play a significant role in the Cook Labor Government's economic diversification strategy, boosting the tourism sector and supporting local jobs and businesses
Western Australia's Winter of Unmissable Sport is gaining momentum as Italian football legends arrive in Perth to promote the upcoming Calcio Italiano.
The Cook Labor Government secured AC Milan, FC Internazionale Milano, Juventus, and Palermo FC for an Australian-exclusive pre-season football tournament from 5-11 August 2026 at Optus Stadium.
Four Italian football legends are exploring WA today: FC Internazionale Milano great Christian "Bobo" Vieri, one of Serie A's most prolific strikers; Juventus icon Edgar Davids, who is a three-time league title winner; AC Milan's star goal-scoring defender Christian Panucci; and Palermo standout and World Cup winner Simone Barone.
Tickets are now on sale from just $49 for three blockbuster matches featuring two of the world's most iconic rivalries:
- Milan Derby: AC Milan v FC Internazionale Milano on Wednesday, 5 August;
- Derby d'Italia: Juventus v FC Internazionale Milano on Saturday, 8 August; and
- Juventus v Palermo FC on Tuesday, 11 August.
Thousands of tickets have already sold for the Australian-exclusive tournament, which is expected to attract strong out-of-State visitor numbers and boost local tourism businesses across Perth.
Calcio Italianois just one several blockbuster events shaping Western Australia's Winter of Unmissable Sport, which kicks off with the Nations Championship rugby union clash between Australia's Wallabies and Italy, followed by a packed schedule of AFL matches, the Perth Super 440, an NRL showdown between Melbourne Storm and Manly Warringah Sea Eagles, Backroads Gravel, and the iconic Avon Descent.
The football tournament will also attract global media attention for Western Australia, with the legends visiting Perth this week collectively boasting more than 3.7 million followers on Instagram alone, where they are expected to highlight their WA tourism experiences including visitingtheiconicCottesloe Beach,Fremantle,Perth city, Rottnest Island,andthe SwanValley.
Western Australia continues to strengthen its reputation as a premier destination for major events and world-class sporting fixtures, which drive growth in the tourism sector and support economic diversification across the State.
Events form part of the Cook Labor Government's economic diversification strategy, boosting the tourism sector and providing support to local jobs and businesses.
Find out more about the Winter of Unmissable Sport at WesternAustralia.com/UnmissableSports and Calcio Italiano at calcioperth.com
As stated by Sport and Recreation Minister Rita Saffioti:
"Hosting these legends of the game in Perth is incredibly exciting and shows the momentum we're building towards Calcio Italiano.
"We know how important these games are to local fans and to our football community here in WA.
"Calcio Italiano is already driving excitement, and in August it will deliver real benefits for our State, attracting visitors, and supporting local jobs.
"This is about putting WA on the global stage, backing our football community and delivering strong economic outcomes for our State."
As stated by Tourism Minister Reece Whitby:
"Excitement is building for the Winter of Unmissable Sport in Western Australia thanks to the arrival of these Italian football legends ahead of the Australian exclusive football matches between four famous Italian football clubs.
"We're expecting thousands of visitors to travel to Perth to watch these world-class teams go head-to-head and then stay and enjoy all Western Australia has to offer, from premium wineries, endless coastlines and world-class nature attractions.
"Major events like this continue to reinforce the Cook Labor Government's reputation as the fastest-growing events destination in the South East Asia region, and time and time again, we are demonstrating how integral they are to the Cook Labor Government's economic diversification strategy that provides a boost to local jobs and businesses."
