// Why get involved?

There are significant potential benefits to the ACT more generally through a successful A-League team:

• The infrastructure requirements are already largely in place and currently under utilised (Canberra Stadium)
• With over ten home games per season, there is a potentially large positive impact on tourism in Canberra as away supporters travel to the ACT to support their team
• Season over the summer months (August to February), which is likely to increase both tourists and locals in the capital during that time of year
• Successful participation in the A-League will increase the attractiveness of Canberra to host significant international football games, including increased participation in any successful World Cup bid
• It provides a pathway for talented junior players and will encourage them not to leave the region
• Asian Champions League places are available for two A-League participants each year which will provide international exposure to a key tourism market
• It will increase the availability of high quality national sporting events at a time when clubs from other national football codes based in Canberra are actively pursuing opportunities outside the ACT
• The capital of New Zealand has a team in the A-League, while the capital of Australia does not

Tim Harcourt, the Chief Economist at Austrade has provided some insight into the economic benefits of football here.