Shanghai will host the game with no beer.
While nothing has been left to chance for Sunday’s historic AFL match between Gold Coast and Port Adelaide, there will be no alcohol sold inside the ground to general admission fans.
The booze ban, which does not apply to corporate areas, might leave a bitter taste in some fans’ mouths.
But the consensus is that so far, a venture full of risk has gone better than expected.
It all hinges on how well Sunday’s match goes.
AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan said the China project was already close to being a success, saying the booze ban was a small price to pay.
“It’s been communicated to all of the travelling supporters and I think everyone understands we’re in someone else’s country,” he said.
“They make the rules … listen, obviously local culture is not quite AFL culture, but I’m sure – for three hours – everyone will be alright.”
While water and soft drank will have to do for most of the 11,000 fans at the soldout game, they will watch in comfort.
On Saturday, AFL clubs manager Simon Lethlean helped staff lay out 5000 cushions on the concrete steps at Jiangwan Stadium.
The rest of the seating at the ground, built in 1935, is temporary grandstands.
The rumoured 1500-strong security force at the game will include an anti-drone squad to stop any illegal flyovers.
“We’ve put a drone enforcement kit in – that went in yesterday,” McLachlan said.
“Again, it’s been hugely logistically challenging, but this is part of the charm and the beauty of playing in a different country and a different culture and under different sets of rules.
“We’re working well with them and that’s why it’s such a bold and progressive step that Port Adelaide and Gold Coast have made.”
McLachlan also had a cheeky dig at concerns about Shanghai’s air quality.
After heavy rain on Friday, the sun and dry heat of Saturday is expected to remain for the match.
“The conditions are perfect – obviously, the air quality is a challenge in Melbourne today and I saw there’s a warning for asthma sufferers in Melbourne,” he said.
“It’s probably not too late to jump on a plane and come up.”
While the AFL is making a long-term China investment, the key will be what local authorities make of the initiative.
McLachlan said it was encouraging that Chinese companies had ploughed about $3.5 million into Sunday’s game.
“It’s a huge country and this is a long-term play,” he said.
“But the energy and interest has been amazing already.
“The early signs are encouraging.”
Port Adelaide are behind the push into China, but Gold Coast are unsure whether they want to be involved again.
“I know other clubs want to be here and I think, in the end, energy and a hunger for the contest is key to football and that’s what we’re going to need (from) whoever wants to come up here in the future,” McLachlan said.