Australian Football League side Port Adelaide "will continue its push for Chinese supporters" after announcing its return to Shanghai for a premiership game against the Gold Coast Suns in '18. It follows the "inaugural Chinese-based game held at Shanghai's Jiangwan Stadium" during round eight in '17. Port Adelaide CEO Keith Thomas said, "We have always said that we need to maintain a consistent presence in China for AFL to succeed, and playing an annual premiership season game in Shanghai is obviously a key to that outcome." More than 10,000 spectators attended the '17 game (ABC, 10/23).
Next year’s edition of the Vuelta a España, which begins in the southern city of Málaga, "is widely expected to break with a nine-year tradition" and begin with an individual time trial. According to local newspaper Diario Sur, the opening time trial will begin in one of the city’s biggest arts centers, the Centre Pompidou, and finish in the middle of the city. It would be the first time the Vuelta has begun with an individual time trial since '09 (CYCLING NEWS, 10/22).
Intel and esports promoter ESL are preparing for two of the largest events on the '18 esports calendar. Katowice, Poland's Spodek Arena and the adjacent Int'l Conference Center will host the ESL One Katowice powered by Intel from Feb. 24-25 and the Intel Extreme Masters World Championship Katowice from March 2-4 (Bastion).
