Melbourne City FC is delighted to announce a ground-breaking partnership with digital platform SportsHosts which will see City fans share their passion for the Club and the city of Melbourne with visitors from all over the world.
SportsHosts is a digital platform that connects travellers with local hosts who offer to share their match day experience and introduce international travellers to the Club on match days.
Following the launch of the Melbourne-based start-up in its hometown, SportsHosts has connected international visitors with City fans to attend games through its website and will also provide the Club with valuable insights into current fan engagement and global fan growth.
Melbourne City FC Director of Marketing, Nick Becker, said the Club aimed to connect international fans with the City match day experience through its latest fan-engagement initiative.
“We are always looking to innovate, particularly when it comes to ways to engage new audiences and SportsHosts are perfectly positioned to introduce sports fans from all over the world to Melbourne City matches. In a city where sporting experiences are deeply ingrained in our cultural fabric, it’s a fantastic way to empower our existing fans to share their passion and support for the club.”
SportsHosts have already facilitated several match day hosting experiences with international visitors at City matches and the results have been equally rewarding for both hosts and travellers.
Melbourne City FC fan Daniel Marantelli hosted international students at City’s season opening clash against Brisbane Roar and said it was rewarding to connect new people with the Club;
“It was an awesome experience to host people from Brazil, Colombia and China. To see them cheering with Melbourne City scarves really made me proud of my team and my city and it’s always great to win over new fans from around the world.”
Ana Maria Aguado, an international student from Colombia, was one of those who attended the Brisbane match:
“When I arrived in Melbourne I realised how important sport is to the culture here so I was really keen to go to a match. The Melbourne City game was so much fun, the crowd was singing for most of the game and we found some really cool bars in the city afterwards. I’m a City fan now!”
SportsHosts founder Darren Walls says the idea was born out of a desire to allow travellers to connect with locals in a fun and authentic way;
“The desire for real experiences when travelling has never been higher and sport is the perfect way to introduce newcomers to a city. For us, Melbourne City are the ideal partner as our travellers have relished the warm atmosphere and friendly nature at the games. Their match day provides a wonderful experience for all ages, particularly at their fan zone, City Square, where they have interactive FIFA matches, a pop-up Stomping Ground brewery bar and small-sided games for kids right next to the stadium.”
SportsHosts provides a truly authentic experience for both travellers and locals as the hosts don’t charge. There’s nothing more raw and honest than the passion of fans at a game and it’s clearly infectious. Want to prove you’re City to the Core? Sign up at www.sportshosts.com.
