Chelsea are confirmed to be heading to Sydney https://www.chelseafc.com/en/news/article/chelsea-fc-and-chelsea-fc-women-head-to-sydney-for-pre-season-tour-2026

Sydney FC are playing Tottenham Hotspur while Chelsea are playing the Western Sydney Wanderers, followed by Chelsea playing Tottenham. I'll likely be going to the Chelsea FC women's game, because unlike Sydney FC's and Chelsea's men's team, they are not a cure for insomnia.

The prospect of seeing my two favourite teams put in an insipid, weak and feckless pre-season display against my two least-favourite teams is utterly mouth-watering. All four teams will be in the off-season so I'm looking forward to seeing the U-12s vs the U-13s.

Edited December 8, 2025Dec 8 by SydneyChelsea

Sydneysiders are lucky. Been waiting for the year that they finally come to Melbourne.

23 minutes ago, Jezz said:

Sydneysiders are lucky. Been waiting for the year that they finally come to Melbourne.

You been watching games lately????

Might be able to swing corporate tickets for the Accor games. Hope Eghbali, or at least Stewart & Winstanley are there.

Edited December 8, 2025Dec 8 by SydneyChelsea

I'm emigrating to near Sydney in February as all the kids and grandchildren are now there. My stepson has already contacted me about the Spuds game so I'm probably attending.

I don't know what's more daunting, emigrating or attending the game.

PS. Are there any Chelsea bars in Sydney? I lived there years ago and there was one in Paddington called the Greenwood I think.

4 hours ago, Andy North said:

I'm emigrating to near Sydney in February as all the kids and grandchildren are now there. My stepson has already contacted me about the Spuds game so I'm probably attending.

I don't know what's more daunting, emigrating or attending the game.

PS. Are there any Chelsea bars in Sydney? I lived there years ago and there was one in Paddington called the Greenwood I think.

Or the humidity.

41 minutes ago, dermott said:

Or the humidity.

Not that I'm expecting the team to break sweat anytime soon.

I'll be in Sydney next month actually- FWIW.

Bloody convicts, take our ashes, then take our pre season friendlies......god damn you and your stupid scary as f**k insects...

On 09/12/2025 at 22:54, Andy North said:

I'm emigrating to near Sydney in February as all the kids and grandchildren are now there. My stepson has already contacted me about the Spuds game so I'm probably attending.

I don't know what's more daunting, emigrating or attending the game.

PS. Are there any Chelsea bars in Sydney? I lived there years ago and there was one in Paddington called the Greenwood I think.

Where abouts are you going to be based? The Paddington Green Hotel, as it is now called, is a gentrified yuppie sh*thole like everything else in that suburb these days.

The 'official' bar is the Aurora Hotel in Surry Hills, right opposite our Central station. Pretty easy to get to albeit transport is difficult for early-morning KOs. Been a few times but not sure how active it is these days.

On 10/12/2025 at 05:26, Scott said:

I'll be in Sydney next month actually- FWIW.

You'll need a raincoat for the first half of the month, and short shorts for the rest.

13 hours ago, dkw said:

Bloody convicts, take our ashes, then take our pre season friendlies......god damn you and your stupid scary as f**k insects...

Australia didn't take the Ashes so much as England have tripped over themselves to gift it on a silver platter.

The mood here is interesting. In 2015 we had just won the league and it was an absolute buzz about the tour. This time it seems like people are going out of obligation rather than desire.

Edited December 10, 2025Dec 10 by SydneyChelsea

21 minutes ago, SydneyChelsea said:

Where abouts are you going to be based? The Paddington Green Hotel, as it is now called, is a gentrified yuppie sh*thole like everything else in that suburb these days.

The 'official' bar is the Aurora Hotel in Surry Hills, right opposite our Central station. Pretty easy to get to albeit transport is difficult for early-morning KOs. Been a few times but not sure how active it is these days.

I'll be in Manly with the family when I first arrive but to be honest I'm looking to move south near the ocean. I'm probably going to watch the games on TV. Is there a satellite channel that shows the games live?

Just now, Andy North said:

I'll be in Manly with the family when I first arrive but to be honest I'm looking to move south near the ocean. I'm probably going to watch the games on TV. Is there a satellite channel that shows the games live?

Right now, and for at least 1 more year, the streaming platform Stan Sport holds the rights to the EPL, WSL, UCL and the FA Cup, which is amazing. Other stuff is either on DAZN or BeIN.

Manly is a nice area, but the South Coast is better. Just don't move to Nowra

9 hours ago, SydneyChelsea said:

Australia didn't take the Ashes so much as England have tripped over themselves to gift it on a silver platter.

Aint that the truth, this bazball stuff when it works is great, when it doesnt its absolutely dreadful.

14 hours ago, SydneyChelsea said:

Right now, and for at least 1 more year, the streaming platform Stan Sport holds the rights to the EPL, WSL, UCL and the FA Cup, which is amazing. Other stuff is either on DAZN or BeIN.

Manly is a nice area, but the South Coast is better. Just don't move to Nowra

Got tickets for the Spuds game. 1st August. Probably a world cup depleted squad but never mind.

Looking at places like Wanoona or Kiama or maybe even Mollymook. I'll be visiting Sydney regularly wherever I end up.

22 hours ago, Andy North said:

Got tickets for the Spuds game. 1st August. Probably a world cup depleted squad but never mind.

Looking at places like Wanoona or Kiama or maybe even Mollymook. I'll be visiting Sydney regularly wherever I end up.

Bit of a hike to Sydney. Mollymook is nice. As Sydney suggested, avoid Nowra.

5 hours ago, dermott said:

Bit of a hike to Sydney. Mollymook is nice. As Sydney suggested, avoid Nowra.

Mollymook... What a lovely name for a teddybear.

On 12/12/2025 at 00:48, Andy North said:

Got tickets for the Spuds game. 1st August. Probably a world cup depleted squad but never mind.

Looking at places like Wanoona or Kiama or maybe even Mollymook. I'll be visiting Sydney regularly wherever I end up.

Bold of you to assume England makes it to the knockouts.

Woonona is great. 10 years ago it was mostly a university town but it has aged gracefully as former students simply stayed. I have a few colleagues who live there and commute to Sydney CBD. In general, north Wollongong = good, south Wollongong = meth.

Kiama and especially Mollymook are really nice but you are going to largely be overpaying there these days. Both were two of the most popular destinations for retiree 'seachangers' during the pandemic, which saw a huge price surge. The area was hit hard just months earlier by the worst bushfires in living memory.

Edited December 14, 2025Dec 14 by SydneyChelsea

14 minutes ago, SydneyChelsea said:

Bold of you to assume England makes it to the knockouts.

Of course they will, we have the super Tommy Tuchel!

11 minutes ago, Mod said:

Of course they will, we have the super Tommy Tuchel!

If Tommy Tuchel overcomes England's propensity to fail at sports it actually invented, he should immediately replace King Charles as head of state.

He should anyway, obviously!

11 hours ago, SydneyChelsea said:

Bold of you to assume England makes it to the knockouts.

Woonona is great. 10 years ago it was mostly a university town but it has aged gracefully as former students simply stayed. I have a few colleagues who live there and commute to Sydney CBD. In general, north Wollongong = good, south Wollongong = meth.

Kiama and especially Mollymook are really nice but you are going to largely be overpaying there these days. Both were two of the most popular destinations for retiree 'seachangers' during the pandemic, which saw a huge price surge. The area was hit hard just months earlier by the worst bushfires in living memory.

Thanks for the information. That's really helpful. We may rent for a year to decide where to settle down. I'm a mad golfer and the championship golf course at Mollymook may swing it.

PS. A Brazil v Argentina final could also impact the game.

Edited December 15, 2025Dec 15 by Andy North

17 minutes ago, Andy North said:

Thanks for the information. That's really helpful. We may rent for a year to decide where to settle down. I'm a mad golfer and the championship golf course at Mollymook may swing it.

PS. A Brazil v Argentina final could also impact the game.

If you're a mad golfer I would have thought Melbourne/Victoria would be a better option than Sydney/NSW ?

Added sporting benefits of Aussie Open tennis, Grand Prix and the MCG for Boxing Day cricket as well !

5 minutes ago, Sexyfootball said:

If you're a mad golfer I would have thought Melbourne/Victoria would be a better option than Sydney/NSW ?

Added sporting benefits of Aussie Open tennis, Grand Prix and the MCG for Boxing Day cricket as well !

Plenty of great courses in Sydney/NSW. Melbourne's best are in the sand belt. Exclusive and expensive. Personally, if I were ever to return, which I won't, I'd opt for Melbourne, my home town. For lifestyle. My 20 years in Sydney were more than enough.

2 hours ago, Sexyfootball said:

If you're a mad golfer I would have thought Melbourne/Victoria would be a better option than Sydney/NSW ?

Added sporting benefits of Aussie Open tennis, Grand Prix and the MCG for Boxing Day cricket as well !

I agree but unfortunately I have family in Sydney.

3 minutes ago, Andy North said:

I agree but unfortunately I have family in Sydney.

Very good reason to choose Sydney then !