AFL football will return to London’s Kia Oval on Saturday November 3.

  

 The Elastoplast AFL European Challenge between the Western Bulldogs and Port Adelaide will be the first match to be played in the UK since 2006.

  

 AFL General Manager National and International Development Andrew Dillon said the AFL teams would use the match as a key part of their preseason training and would support to the development work of AFL Europe in building the profile of the game outside Australia.

  

 “The staging of a match between two elite AFL clubs continues to promote our game internationally. Games held in London over some two decades have been extremely valuable in building awareness of our sport while both the Bulldogs and Power will be able to tie in key preparation for the 2013 season,” he said.

  

 While in London, both teams will visit EPL clubs and will attend EPL matches as part of their professional development. Port Adelaide will attend the Liverpool v Newcastle match while the Western Bulldogs will see QPR v Reading.

  

 Simon Garlick, Western Bulldogs Chief Executive, welcomed the opportunity to participate in the London match.

  

 “The Western Bulldogs are viewing the clash as a unique opportunity to not only promote our great game but to also kick-start our 2013 pre-season campaign by taking advantage of the professional development opportunities overseas - particularly those forged through our education and sports science partnership with Victoria University,” Garlick said.

  

 Port Adelaide Chief Executive Officer Keith Thomas said the club would further enhance its preparation for 2013 by supplementing the London game with visits to leading international sporting organisations including a camp at the Australian Sport Commission European Training Centre in Italy, co-funded by the players and staff.

  

 “For Port Adelaide, this trip is an exceptional development opportunity for our young squad - under new Senior Coach Ken Hinkley and his team - to share the experience of training, playing and learning in some of the most outstanding sporting environments in the world,” Mr Thomas said.

  

 AFL Europe said it was delighted to see a return of two senior clubs.

  

 “An AFL match in Europe provides our members and fans of the game to see the stars they watch online and on TV each week up close and personal. We envisage great support from our AFL Europe community in attending the match which will further highlight the progressions being made in the growth of the game in this part of the world." AFL Europe Chairman Chris Dow stated.

  

 Surrey County Cricket Club CEO Richard Gould also said they were delighted to host the AFL fixture at the Kia Oval in November.

  

 “The ground has hosted many AFL matches over the years and we are sure that the first game since 2006 will provide as much entertainment for spectators as we have come to expect.

  

 “It has always been a popular and colourful event in our calendar and we look forward to it immensely.”