The Wellington Phoenix’ 2015-16 Hyundai A-League Season Draw has been released with almost half the games being played on a Saturday night.
The Phoenix will play 13 home games in New Zealand, 11 at Westpac Stadium in Wellington, one at QBE Stadium in Auckland and one at AMI Stadium in Christchurch.
Hyundai A-League Season 2015-16 sees the Phoenix play a predominantly Saturday night season with six of the 13 home games played on Saturday at 7.15pm.
They will also play two Friday night games and five Sunday games.
Wellington Phoenix General Manager David Dome said the Club was reasonably comfortable with how the season draw has ended up.
“The FFA have been flagging to us for some time that in order to maximise revenue opportunities in Australia, which ultimately funds a huge part of the A-League, we’d need to tweak the New Zealand fixtures.
“We have worked closely with the FFA to get something we would be comfortable with and we’re reasonably satisfied where it’s landed given all the constraints of time zones, stadia availability and broadcast.
“With our large family fan base, Saturday nights mean at least families are not struggling to get kids to school the next day”.
Dome also said that following last season’s significant disruptions, the two home games played away will revert to the traditional Auckland and Christchurch fixtures which the Club was very pleased about.
“We’re extremely pleased to be back in Christchurch next season.
“AMI Stadium and the Christchurch City Council management company Vbase are terrific people to work with and we’re excited about getting back to Canterbury where traditionally we always play well.
“Our Auckland match this season will be at QBE in Albany and QBE showed during the U20 World Cup that it can sell out and produce a quality football atmosphere.
“We’re excited about being part of the QBE vision and playing A-League football there – it’s a wonderful football stadium.”
Director Stadium Management for QBE Stadium, Paul Nisbet said “The Phoenix have a strong following in Auckland and QBE Stadium has become a venue for top football action so we are excited about bringing them together for Auckland football fans.
“It will great to be able to host the team here later this year in what will be a tantalising match-up against the defending champions, Melbourne Victory and we certainly look forward to developing our relationship with the Phoenix over the coming years.”
The Phoenix open their season on Sunday 11 October against Newcastle Jets at 7pm.
At A Glance
- Phoenix open their season on Sunday 11 October against Newcastle Jets at 7pm.
- Season will include 2 x Friday night, 6 x Saturday, 5 x Sunday (3 at 5pm, 2 at 7pm. One of the 7pm Sunday matches falls within the school holiday window).
- Phoenix to play Melbourne Victory at QBE Stadium, Auckland on Saturday 5 December at 7.15pm
- Phoenix to play Central Coast Mariners at AMY Stadium, Christchurch on Saturday 30 January at 7.15pm
- Phoenix will play Melbourne Victory on Melbourne Cup Eve on Monday 2 November at Etihad Stadium
- Phoenix will play on Boxing Day in Adelaide and New Year’s Eve at Central Coast.
FULL DRAW – WELLINGTON PHOENIX SEASON 2015/16
- Round 1 – Sunday 11 October 2015 v Newcastle Jets at Westpac Stadium, 7pm.
- Round 2 – Sunday 18 October 2015 v Perth Glory at nib Stadium.
- Round 3 – Saturday 24 October 2015 v Brisbane Roar at Westpac Stadium, 7.15pm.
- Round 4 – Monday 2 November 2015 v Melbourne Victory at Etihad Stadium.
- Round 5 – Sunday 8 November 2015 v Central Coast Mariners at Central Coast Stadium.
- Round 6 – Friday 13 November 2015 v Adelaide United at Westpac Stadium, 7.30pm.
- Round 7 – Saturday 21 November 2015 v Western Sydney Wanderers at Pirtek Stadium.
- Round 8 – Thursday 26 November 2015 v Sydney FC at Allianz Stadium.
- Round 9 – Saturday 5 December v Melbourne Victory at QBE Stadium (Auckland), 7.15pm.
- Round 10 – Saturday 12 December 2015 v Brisbane Roar at Cazaly’s Stadium (Cairns).
- Round 11 – Saturday 19 December 2015 v Sydney FC at Westpac Stadium, 7.15pm.
- Round 12 – Saturday 26 December 2015 v Adelaide United at Coopers Stadium.
- Round 13 – Thursday 31 December 2015 v Central Coast Mariners at Central Coast Stadium.
- Round 14 – Sunday 10 January 2016 v Brisbane Roar at Westpac Stadium, 7.00pm.
- Round 15 – Sunday 17 January 2016 v Newcastle Jets at Hunter Stadium.
- Round 16 – Monday 25 January 2016 v Melbourne City at AAMI Park.
- Round 17 – Saturday 30 January 2016 v Central Coast Mariners at AMI Stadium (Christchurch), 7.15pm.
- Round 18 – Sunday 7 February 2016 v Perth Glory at Westpac Stadium, 5.00pm.
- Round 19 – Sunday 14 February 2016 v Western Sydney Wanderers at Pirtek Stadium.
- Round 20 – Saturday 20 February 2016 v Newcastle Jets at Hunter Stadium.
- Round 21 – Friday 26 February 2016 v Melbourne City at Westpac Stadium, 7.30pm.
- Round 22 – Saturday 5 March 2016 v Adelaide United at Westpac Stadium, 7.15pm.
- Round 23 – Saturday 12 March 2016 v Sydney FC at Allianz Stadium.
- Round 24 – Sunday 20 March 2016 v Perth Glory at Westpac Stadium, 5.00pm.
- Round 25 – Monday 28 March 2016 v Melbourne City at AAMI Park.
- Round 26 – Saturday 2 April 2016 v Melbourne Victory at Westpac Stadium, 7.15pm.
- Round 27 – Sunday 10 April 2016 v Western Sydney Wanderers at Westpac Stadium, 5.00pm.
All times are in NZT. To see the full draw see http://www.aleague.com.au
