Big news from Down Under: Sydney will host the Opening Series of 2014 Major League Baseball, at the Sydney Cricket Ground, between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Arizona Diamondbacks.
The Opening Series signals the beginning of the Major Baseball League season, and has only been played outside the United States six times, including four Series in Japan.
Destination NSW CEO Sandra Chipchase said that the tourism board expects more than 10,000 international and interstate visitor nights for Sydney during the games.
“With the Opening Series taking place in summer, on Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 March 2014, it’s a wonderful opportunity for visitors to book their holiday," she said. “There will also be special opportunities for fans to see their baseball heroes in action with the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Arizona Diamondbacks in Sydney for six days, including the two games at Sydney Cricket Ground and pre-match training sessions."
The games are also expected to reach an estimated global TV household audience of up to 168 million households in key tourism markets, including the U.S., Japan, Korea and China.
The Sydney Cricket Ground, building on its history of hosting baseball games (including the Chicago White Sox in 1914), will be transformed into a Major League Baseball League field, with the construction of an infield clay area, pitcher’s mound, dugouts and additional grandstand.
The Opening Series will deliver a direct visitor impact of more than $13 million to NSW from international, interstate and intrastate visitors.
Qantas Airways is the event airline partner. Travel packages will be available as game time gets closer.