The countdown is on ahead of cricket's ICC T20 Men's World Cup, with only one year left until some of the sport's biggest stars take to Kardinia Park for the first of Geelong's six host matches.
Geelong will host the opening game of the tournament on Sunday 18 October 2020, with 2014 champions Sri Lanka taking on a qualifier in the afternoon. That match will be followed by a night contest between two other yet-to-be determined qualifiers on the same day.
Geelong's six matches will be played across three separate double-header matchdays with a single ticket gaining entry for both matches of a double-header. Sri Lanka will play all three of its first round matches at Kardinia Park, with thousands of fans from the island nation and Australia's Sri Lankan community expected to descend on the city.
This will create an opportunity for Geelong to transform for a huge week of celebration, embracing multicultural dance, food and entertainment. Sri Lanka will be joined in Group A by three qualifying teams, with the remaining matchdays to take place on Tuesday 20 October and Thursday 22 October.
Tickets for the tournament are now on sale. All tickets are just $5 for children and $20 for adults.
Geelong-based fans will join more than one million spectators expected to attend the tournament nationally, as Australia hosts the global showpiece event for the very first time.
The three qualifying teams set to join Sri Lanka in Geelong will be determined at the ICC Men's T20 World Cup Global Qualifier event, being hosted in the UAE until 3 November.
Mayor Stephanie Asher:
Geelong is excited to be one of just eight Host Cities nationally for the first ICC Men's T20 World Cup ever to be held in Australia.The city will come to life with colour and fun throughout the tournament as the Sri Lankan team and its fans make Geelong their home away from home. We're sure our local community will embrace the event and join in the celebrations.
Councillor Ron Nelson, Chair, Tourism and Events portfolio:
Geelong's selection as a Host City for this tournament further stamps us as a destination for major sporting events, and recognises Kardinia Park's status as Australia's best regional stadium.Our local economy will receive a huge boost as thousands of spectators arrive for the week of matches. Hotels, restaurants, cafes, retail and our many attractions will all be in high demand.
With exactly a year to go, we're counting down until the first ball is bowled.
Councillor Peter Murrihy, Chair, Geelong Major Events Committee:
The Geelong Major Events Committee is proud to be supporting our city's involvement in this global tournament.The eyes of the cricket world will be on Kardinia Park and Geelong during the six matches played here, giving us an opportunity to showcase our region to thousands of visitors and millions watching on TV.
It looms as an exciting event and we're looking forward to being part of it.
Nick Hockley, CEO, ICC T20 World Cup:
Australia has never hosted a T20 World Cup before, so we're very excited that Geelong will host the very first game featuring the 2014 champions and two-time finalists Sri Lanka.The event has a truly national footprint to ensure as many people as possible can be part of it, and we encourage the greater Geelong community to come along and experience the World Cup festival atmosphere at Kardinia Park.
T20 cricket is the global growth vehicle for the sport and there's a number of exciting emerging teams participating in qualifying event in the UAE. For the teams that make it through to Australia 2020 it will be a huge opportunity for them to play on the world stage.
