Auckland FC could host Boca Juniors or River Plate under mayor’s Buenos Aires plan

Auckland could host some of Argentina’s biggest football clubs as Mayor Wayne Brown looks to work on a partnership with Buenos Aires.

Speaking to the Herald at Eden Park after it was announced the stadium would be hosting a State of Origin match in 2027, Brown said more major events could be heading to the City of Sails.

“The city’s a big city, you know, and more and more things happen in big cities,” Brown said.

“We’ve only got one big city, so it’ll be more and more of this stuff. No question about that, one way or another.”

One of the mayor’s plans is to strike a deal with Argentina’s capital city Buenos Aires to bring some of their top sporting products to New Zealand, in part because of his relationship with the city’s chief of government Jorge Macri.

“I’m quietly working on something with Buenos Aires,” Brown said.

Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown wants to bring more major events to Auckland. Photo / Michael Craig

“We’ve also got a really good soccer team here now in Auckland FC and Buenos Aires is the home of the world champions in soccer.

“So there’s a bit of a chance we might get one of their clubs, San Lorenzo or one of their top clubs, Boca Juniors or River Plate playing Auckland FC.

“And we could, if we have the big night live as a regular thing, we could have all sorts of things happening here.”

Auckland FC CEO Nick Becker confirmed to the Herald discussions had taken place with the mayor over a potential game.

“It’s early on in the conversation,” Becker said.

“But the idea would be to do both here and away.

“So we’d love to not only have one of the big Argentinian sides like a Boca Juniors or a River Plate come to New Zealand as part of a programme that we have with the country, but also is there an opportunity for Auckland FC to go there as well? Absolutely.”

Auckland FC could play a match against one of Argentina's top football clubs soon. Photo / Photosport

Becker said the A-League and Auckland FC’s connection to South America was strong, mentioning Guillermo May of Uruguay and Chilean Felipe Gallegos who currently play for the team, and praised the support of Auckland’s Latino community.

Becker stressed talks were still in their early stages, but did not rule out a mid-season game.

“We would probably aim for a pre-season match, because both of our seasons are relatively well aligned.

“It’s always difficult trying to work something out in the middle of the season, but I wouldn’t rule it out.”