Western United is just five days away from bringing the best show in town to Tarneit with a blockbuster weekend of festival activities, family fun and football at Ironbark Fields.
It all kicks off on Saturday when Ironbark hosts a spectacular Diwali event with cultural performances, kabaddi, rides, fireworks and more.
Then, the carnival atmosphere will continue into Sunday as Western United welcomes Western Sydney Wanderers and their former Manchester United and Chelsea star Juan Mata to Tarneit.
What’s on for the thrilling Western United home opener at Ironbark Fields
The action is bound to be thrilling on the pitch and there will be plenty more fun to be had outside of the 90 minutes with gates opening at 1pm.
That gives a full three hours for the whole family to enjoy the day before kick-off with carnival rides, a petting zoo and plenty more making Ironbark Fields a hive of activity.
Food trucks will be in place for lunch and the Western Bar will also be open behind the grandstand to kick off the afternoon.
Pitch 3 and the forecourt area will host a number of activations from 3pm including football inflatables, games, face painting, Western United merchandise and giveaways.
Building up to kick-off, jaws will be dropping around Ironbark Fields when the Red Bull Extra 300L aircraft takes flight for a spectacular aerobatic display.
Emma McDonald, Head of Aviation at Matt Hall Racing, will fly over Ironbark Fields before kick-off, performing mind-blowing stunts from barrell rolls to end-over-end tumbles and travelling in excess of 370km per hour.
After that excitement sets the buzz at Ironbark Fields, all eyes will turn to the pitch for a scintillating 90 minutes of Isuzu UTE A-League Men action.
And, the show doesn’t end there with fans invited onto the pitch at the end of the game* to meet their favourite Western United stars and soak up the vibes on the hallowed Ironbark turf.
John Aloisi’s men put in a fantastic performance on the opening day against Wellington Phoenix and will be ready to put on a show for the home fans.
Mata’s arrival will be sure to excite the supporters as well, with the Spanish international boasting a World Cup winners’ medal, a European Championship, a UEFA Champions League title and over 500 appearances in elite European competitions to his name.
Western United will be ready to go head-to-head against the superstar import with Angus Thurgate looking to continue on from his goal-scoring performance last week and young guns Matthew Grimaldi, Oliver Lavale and co. hoping to shine again.
It all makes for the biggest weekend and the greatest event atmosphere in the West, and you simply cannot miss a moment of the action.
Head down to Diwali on Saturday and then secure your tickets for the game on Sunday we rep the West, together.
*Fans on the pitch is subject to weather and safety conditions and may be cancelled on the day at Western United’s discretion