Serie A Australia Debut: Milan vs Como Heads to Perth

Serie A Australia will make history next season when AC Milan take on Como 1907 in Perth’s Optus Stadium, marking the first time a top-flight Italian league match is staged outside the peninsula.

Why the Perth Fixture Matters

The Lega Serie A has already rubber-stamped the proposal, seeing the long-term commercial upside of tapping into Australia’s thriving calcio fanbase. Organisers promise a full match-week experience, complete with open training sessions, local youth clinics and a festival of Italian food and culture aimed at drawing tourists to Western Australia.

Regulatory Hurdles Remain

Although Serie A Australia has the domestic green light, international approval is still required. FIFA, UEFA and the Asian Football Confederation must confirm that the date does not clash with continental competitions or breach existing statutes on home-and-away balance. Early indications suggest a late-January slot, coinciding with Australia’s summer holidays, could satisfy all parties.

Club Perspectives

AC Milan see the trip as a chance to expand their global membership programme, while Como—bankrolled by Indonesian tycoon Robert Budi Hartono—view the showcase as a statement of intent after their rapid rise from Serie C to the elite. Both clubs will reportedly receive appearance fees that exceed typical domestic gate receipts.

Broadcast and Commercial Impact

Broadcasters in Italy, Southeast Asia and Oceania are already circling, eyeing prime-time slots that could dwarf usual early-morning European kick-offs. Serie A’s chief executive Luigi De Siervo believes the event could boost the league’s overseas rights valuation by at least 15 percent in the next cycle.

Quick Opinion

Staging Milan-Como down under is bold and bound to rile traditionalists, yet Serie A needs fresh revenue streams. If logistics run smoothly, expect more globe-trotting fixtures soon.