Three weeks of blockbuster match-ups await as Football Queensland announces the Mitre Festival of Football is set to return bigger and better than ever this September.
The 14-game extravaganza kicks off on Saturday, 7 September at Suncorp Stadium, where Queensland’s top male and female footballers will vie for Championship titles as the NPL and FQPL 1 Grand Finals return to the state’s biggest stage, before Queensland state teams featuring the best players from across the NPL Queensland take on Brisbane Roar and Victoria.
The Mitre Festival of Football also encompasses the Grand Finals of the FQPL 2 Men and Women and FQPL 3-6 Metro competitions over one unmissable weekend.
“The Mitre Festival of Football will draw our 2024 season to an unforgettable conclusion and promises to deliver a hugely exciting experience that will unite our Queensland football community,” Football Queensland CEO Robert Cavallucci said.
“We look forward to working with Football Victoria, Brisbane Roar FC and Mitre to deliver the biggest-ever edition of the Mitre Festival of Football and thank them for their ongoing support.”
The month-long celebration also ushers in the beginning of the highly anticipated 2024/25 A-League season, as the Brisbane Roar officially launch their bid for Isuzu-UTE and Liberty A-League title glory.
“We’re really excited to be bringing back this match alongside Football Queensland, we believe the Brisbane Roar vs Queensland State Team game is an important part of the football calendar in the state,” Brisbane Roar FC CEO Kaz Patafta.
“A number of players have progressed from the NPL and Queensland State Teams to the A-League and Brisbane Roar, we know how much quality is in the NPL and these matches not only provide an exciting contest but meaningful preparation for both our A-League Men’s and Women’s sides ahead of the 2024/25 season.”
Mitre Director Gerrard Woods said their support of the Mitre Festival of Football provides a great opportunity to elevate Queensland football talent on the national stage.
“Mitre is excited to partner with Football Queensland for the delivery of this year’s Festival of Football, continuing our support for the beautiful game in Queensland and Australia,” Woods said.
“We look forward to working with Football Queensland to create an exciting month-long celebration of football, shining a spotlight on the incredible talent of NPL Queensland’s top male and female footballers.”
Following the success of the 2023 Battle of the States event hosted at The Home of the Matildas in Victoria, Football Victoria said they are thrilled to take the historic rivalry to Queensland in 2024.
“After claiming both matches last year, Football Victoria will once again assemble the best talent from the NPLM and NPLW to take on Football Queensland’s state teams,” Football Victoria CEO Chris Pehlivanis said.
“Bringing together a representative team provides a great opportunity for players to line up alongside traditional rivals, and this year’s matches deliver an exciting chance for us to do all we can to retain the Rigby-Willis Cup (Men) and Jones-Millman Cup (Women).”
The Mitre Festival of Football will see Queensland’s Men’s team take on A-League powerhouse, Brisbane Roar FC, in the lead up to the battle of the states where Queensland’s Men’s and Women’s state teams will reignite the rivalry against Victoria at Imperial Corp Stadium.
The Queensland Women’s state team match against Brisbane Roar’s Liberty A-League side will be played at the later date of October 5 due to the Liberty A-League Women 2024/25 player contract period commencing in late September.
2024 Mitre Festival of Football Fixture Lineup:
- Saturday, 7 September – NPL & FQPL 1 Men and Women Suncorp Stadium Grand Finals
- Friday, 13 September – Queensland Men vs. Brisbane Roar FC Men
- Saturday, 14 September – FQPL 2 & FQPL 3 Metro Men and Women Grand Finals
- Sunday, 15 September – FQPL 4-6 Metro Men Grand Finals
- Saturday, 21 September – Queensland vs. Victoria (Men and Women)
Further details on state team squads and ticketing will be released over the coming weeks.
