Exclusive: Beckham Set For Australia Return

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MLS: David Beckham, Los Angeles Galaxy v Kansas City Wizards, May 2008 (ISI)

Just weeks after a friendly between David Beckham’s LA Galaxy and A-League side Queensland Roar was cancelled, due to his loan deal with AC Milan, a source in the United States told Goal.com that the tournament is looking to move away from its original base in Hawaii - possibly due “to its failure to achieve its tourism goals last year.”  

If the tournament were to move to Australia it would bring with it a range of benefits both for local tourism and the Australian football community.  

When contacted by Goal.com, a spokesperson for Football Federation Australia refused to confirm or deny that plans were underway for Australia to host the second edition of the tournament next year.  

However, in 2007 when the tournament was originally unveiled the governing body showed an interest eventually hosting the event.  

At that time, FFA's chief commercial officer, John O'Sullivan was quoted as saying “down the track we think this could be quite a lucrative event, and it's something we definitely would like to host sooner rather than later."  

The 2008 edition was the inaugural Pan Pacific Tournament  

While the LA Galaxy, MLS champions Houston Dynamos, Nabisco Cup winners Gamba Osaka and Sydney FC, contested it then, the next edition is expected to have a different make up.

Teams from Mexico and Korea are tipped to be included.  

It would also see David Beckham returning to Australia following LA Galaxy’s friendly against another A-League side, Sydney FC last year which was watched by over 70,000 people in Sydney.