Eintracht Frankfurt and VfL Wolfsburg have announced they will play a friendly match in Foshan on 24 May 2019 as part of their post season tours to China.
The first match between two German teams on Chinese soil since 2012 will take place at the 36,000 capacity Century Lotus Stadium in Foshan near the city of Guangzhou.
This match is the latest activity undertaken in recent months as part of a strategy to bring German clubs and the Bundesliga closer to Chinese fans.
Building on various educational, knowledge sharing and grassroots development activities organised by their respective offices in Beijing, this match will give Chinese fans an opportunity to witness live Bundesliga action in their homeland.
Looking ahead to this friendly match, Eintracht Frankfurt’s Sporting Director, Fredi Bobic, said: “The DFL is doing a great deal to increase the visibility of the Bundesliga in China. All clubs benefit from it, and we see it as our task to strengthen that message with our presence. We will combine business and pleasure, and will then celebrate the end of the season with our team in Hong Kong.
Speaking on behalf of VfL Wolfsburg, Managing Director Michael Meeske said: “We orient ourselves in part to markets that are relevant for Volkswagen and see whether there is significant interest in football there. China has long been an exciting target market for us and by opening a representative office in Beijing in 2017, VfL Wolfsburg laid the foundations for the future. Alongside financial interests, we’re also focusing on sustainable support to develop football in China. For example, through selected VfL coaches we are driving forward the transfer of expertise in many regions of the country. After two disappointing years in sporting terms, the time has come – following a season that has been enjoyable – to visit our numerous fans in China.”
Bundesliga International CEO Robert Klein added: “This will give Chinese fans a unique opportunity to experience and engage with ‘Football As It’s Meant To Be’ live. This game, between two of Europe’s top teams, follows the opening of our Beijing office and a Bundesliga Legends Tour with Jürgen Klinsmann. These are just some of the ways we’re connecting with local fans more deeply and more often here in China.”
