Free entry for Aberdeen friendly with Viking

Published on 21/03/2013 08:44

Aberdeen will face Norwegian side Viking Stravanger in a free Pittodrie friendly on Wednesday, 4 September.

The match comes after the eight-times Norwegian champions hosted the Reds at their Viking Stadion last year.

The fixture has been lined up as part of the biannual Offshore Europe event being held in the city and is being billed as The Energy Cities Challenge Cup.

Aberdeen have decided to waive entry fees and vice-chairman George Yule said: “We decided to make this an open-doors game for the greater benefit for the local community, while we will also release our corporate hospitality facilities and commercial sponsorship packages to the energy business communities in Aberdeen and Stavanger, which, of course, is one of our twin cities.

“The last Offshore Europe conference and exhibition in 2011 attracted more than 32,000 visitors to the event and I’m certain there will be a substantial demand for those wishing to attend the match with guests and or staff visiting the show during that week.

“Both clubs are very keen to see the Energy Cities Challenge Cup become a regular fixture on the calendar with the possibility that it could be expanded in the future to incorporate other energy hubs such as Houston.”