In a major coup, North Queensland is set to host a festival of football, with more than 3,000 people expected to descend on Mackay from July 8 through to 14 for the inaugural Football Queensland (FQ) Community Cup.

The FQ Community Cup will be hosted at Mackay Football Park with zones from around the state going through an identification process to select their representative teams.

The competition will provide an opportunity for the next generation of talent to compete in a state competition.

Football Queensland General Manager of Football Operations Brendon Boss said 80 teams will participate from across the state with over 1280 players expected.

“The FQ Community Cup will provide our National Premier Leagues (NPL) selectors with an avenue to identify developing players for NPL programs, as well as provide coach and referee education,” Mr Boss said.

“We anticipate in excess of 3,000 players, staff and spectators to travel to Mackay for the week-long event.

“We have received significant support from the Queensland Government and Mackay Regional Council.

“Our zones have been hugely supportive of the initiative and are excited at the prospect of a state-wide competition.”

The FQ Community Cup has been established due to the absence of junior elite competition in Far North Queensland, North West, North Queensland, Wide Bay and Central Queensland.

“Our regional areas produce top quality players and this tournament could identify the next Frank Farina, Mitch Langerak or Josh Brillante.”

Mr Boss said the competition will benefit all those involved, including the community of Mackay.

“Mackay is the perfect place to host this event, with the range of sporting infrastructure and top facilities available for players, as well as proximity to first class accommodation and leisure,” he said.

“The economic opportunity of such an event is a huge positive to any region and we could not be happier to bring this to Mackay.”