More than 5,000 Australian AFL fans have descended on Shanghai ahead of the clash between Port Adelaide Power and the Gold Coast Suns, with the stadium's 10,000 seats sold out.
“I didn’t want to miss this historic occasion. It’s the first time ever,” said Kylie Vogt, who arrived in Shanghai on Thursday from Adelaide.
“We spent a whole day sight-seeing, it’s great. I’d love to come next year if it’s held again, maybe with my three children who are also passionate Port fans.”
The match, to be held in Shanghai’s Jiangwan stadium, is spearheaded by Port Adelaide Power and the result of a two-year China push.
Port Adelaide Power fans gather at Australian bar 'The Camel' in Shanghai ahead of Port's clash with the Suns on Sunday Source: SBS News
“To grow our club we need to think differently, we need to think outside the square,” said club president David Koch.
Port has so far attracted $4 million and 12 new partners to the club. These include Chinese property developer Shanghai CRED, which recently purchased the Kidman cattle properties in partnership with mining magnate Gina Rinehart.
On Friday AFL executive Travis Auld announced that the game will be broadcast live on China’s state media channel CCTV.
Organisers estimate overall viewership will top 20 million.
“This gives this game the potential to be the most watched game in the history of this code. Which we’re very excited about that,” said Mr Auld.
But very few in China recognise the sport. Passersby in Shanghai’s people’s square said they had heard of NBA and NFL, but not Australian rules.
“It looks like American football,” said a man who was shown a video of the sport.
“In China it will be very difficult to promote this, the impact won't be strong,” said another.
Beijing-based sports consultant Priscilla Ho says the AFL faces two major obstacles in China. The first being a lack of an established sporting culture.
“Australians have sports in their DNA. Whereas the Chinese feel achievement through social status, wealth or academic results.”
Ms Ho says a ‘sporting trend’ has been developing in China over the past five years thanks to a government health push, but it was still at early stages. The second challenge was the nature of AFL itself.
“The NFL and rugby haven’t succeeded in China because of their ‘confrontational’ sports nature,” said Ms Ho.
“The AFL would find it even tougher than these top tier global sports.”
In order to gain traction she suggests that the AFL capitalise on its “approachable and sunny nature” and market to Chinese schools.
Mr Koch conceded that the sport had a long way to go before being recognisable on the mainland, but was confident event would be a success based on what he called ‘Brand Australia.’
"To be completely honest, no one (in China) gives a toss about Port Adelaide or AFL at the moment," said Mr Koch.
"But they love Australia - Australia is all about healthy living; Australia is all about great food, a healthy lifestyle."
“I’d be lying if I said we’d made huge strides, but you take a little step at a time, and this is the start.
"Why are we scared to take it outside of Australia? That's what I can't figure - all the grumpy guts."
Meanwhile Port and Suns players have arrived in Shanghai focused on the match.
Port player Tom Jonas said both teams would do their best to ensure Chinese spectators had a positive introduction to the sport.
“It’s a very unique sport you know, we got a funny shaped ball, there’s a lot of people on the field and sometimes the rules are hard to understand," Mr Jonas said.
"And so we just want people to come along and enjoy it. And hopefully learn something and fall in love with it."
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