There will be a free World Cup screening at the Odeon this Saturday, with the Australia versus USA match to be livestreamed from Seattle onto a large high-definition screen.
After videos of fans celebrating the Socceroos’ World Cup win at live sites in Melbourne and Sydney went viral on Sunday, many Hobart locals were left wondering why nothing had been organised in their city.
DarkLab, the City of Hobart and ABC Radio Hobart have teamed up to put on the event, which kicks off at 5am on Saturday.
Doors will open from 4:30am.
Free tickets will be released at 10am on Thursday via the Odeon website on a first in, best dressed basis.
DarkLab CEO Leigh Carmichael said the organisation was pleased to open up the venue for the match.
“Live music and sport are things that unite us, and it’s a privilege to be able to house both in our venue this week,” Carmichael said.
“We already have a huge screen in place for Dark Mofo, so it made sense to use it and bring people together to support the Socceroos.”
He said the venue would be lit up in green and gold for the occasion.
“It’s the first time we’ve hosted a live-streamed sporting event at the Odeon, and we’re excited to see the venue used in this way,” he said.
The City of Hobart will provide beanbags for comfort, and breakfast rolls and hot drinks will be available to buy.
It will be an alcohol-free event.
Hobart Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds said the event added “another vibrant layer to Hobart’s winter festivities”.
“The City of Hobart warmly welcomes and fully supports DarkLab’s initiative to host a FIFA World Cup live site at the Odeon, providing our community with a fantastic opportunity to come together and support the Socceroos in their clash against the USA,” she said
Reynolds said iit was a good chance for fans to gather indoors, given other public spaces such as PW1 were not available because of the winter feast.
ABC Breakfast presenter Ryk Goddard said diehard soccer fans, families, early birds and folks still awake from the night before will be able to watch the match in an iconic venue.
