DarkLab, in collaboration with ABC Radio Hobart and the City of Hobart, presents a free World Cup soccer screening at 5am (AEST) on Saturday 20 June at the Odeon. The Australia vs. USA match takes place during the second weekend of Dark Mofo and will be livestreamed from Seattle straight to a high definition large screen at the Odeon.
The ABC’s Breakfast presenter Ryk Goddard said: ‘5am is usually my time to shine, but all are welcome for this incredibly exciting moment. It is so special to bring everyone together—diehard soccer fans, families, early birds and folks still awake from the night before—to watch this match in such an iconic venue. We’re grateful to be able to join forces and meet the needs of our community in this way.’
The Odeon will open its doors from 4:30am with free tickets being made available at 10am tomorrow, Thursday 18 June, via the Odeon website—first in, best dressed for registrations.
Comfy beanbags will be provided by the City of Hobart and breakfast rolls and hot drinks will be available to purchase, however, it will be an alcohol free event.
DarkLab CEO Leigh Carmichael said: ‘We’re really pleased to be able to open up the Odeon for this 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. 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. We’ll light up the venue green and gold and hopefully create a great atmosphere at a very unusual hour.
‘David Walsh has generously agreed to support the event, which means we can offer free entry. I’m also extremely grateful to the DarkLab team for finding a way to make this happen in the middle of an already huge festival period.
‘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.’
City of Hobart Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds said: ‘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.
‘With Dark Mofo already energising the city, this event adds another vibrant layer to Hobart’s winter festivities and showcases the power of shared experiences in bringing people together.’1
