Sports Entertainment Network (SEN), in proud partnership with the Australian Prostate Centre, is thrilled to announce the return of one of Australia’s most iconic sporting events - the Four’N Twenty Legends Game for Prostate Cancer.
This year marks 30 years since the passing of one of the game’s greats from prostate cancer - E.J. Whitten - a true legend of Australian football. Now, with a new wave of legends taking the field, the Four’N Twenty Legends Game proudly carries the legacy of E.J. to help raise awareness and vital funds for prostate cancer.
Set to take place on Thursday 28 August at Marvel Stadium - the start of the AFL’s pre-finals bye weekend - the event will be broadcast live from 7pm AEST on 7 and 7plus Sport, with the first bounce scheduled for 7.30pm. The match broadcast will be produced by SEN’s television production arm, Rainmaker, and managed in collaboration with Ballpark Entertainment.
After a six-year hiatus, the game returns bigger, bolder and more legendary than ever with a strong fan focus. Featuring past greats and fan favourites in a state of origin clash between Victoria and the All Stars, the match celebrates the best of Australian Rules Football while supporting a great cause.
Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in Aussie men with 1 in 5 men estimated to be diagnosed in their lifetime. Funds raised through the Four'N Twenty Legends Game will help support patient care and vital research collaborations at the Australian Prostate Centre.
The Australian Prostate Centre is a world-class prostate cancer hub bringing together the best in care, treatments and collaborative research for all men and their families. The Australian Prostate Centre is part of the RULE Prostate Cancer not-for-profit charity.
To launch the 2025 return of the Legends Game, it has been revealed that former Hawthorn Premiership captain, Luke Hodge, will lead Victoria alongside coach, Tim Watson. Meanwhile, former St Kilda captain and six-time club best-and-fairest winner, Nick Riewoldt, will captain the All Stars, working alongside coach, Shane Crawford.
At a media launch event held in Melbourne today, both teams’ captains and coaches revealed their superstar number 1 draft picks for the match – Gary Ablett Jnr for the Vics and Cyril Rioli for the All Stars.
CEO of the Australian Prostate Centre, Mark Harrison, said the organisation was excited by the return of the iconic match.
“The return of the Four’n’Twenty Legends Game is more than a sporting event – it’s a rally cry for improving the lives of the 26,000 Australian men diagnosed with prostate cancer each year. We all have a legend in our life that one day could be affected by prostate cancer – our grandads, fathers, uncles, husbands, brothers and mates. We’re proud to honour Ted Whitten Sr’s legacy and bring this iconic game back to life with renewed purpose and energy. Thank you to the Seven Network, SEN and Four’N Twenty for their support."
SEN CEO, Craig Hutchison, added his organisation was proud to play a part in supporting such an important cause and iconic match.
"We’re incredibly proud to partner with the Australian Prostate Centre to bring back one of the most cherished nights on the footy calendar. With the support of the AFL, the Seven Network and our production team at Rainmaker, we’re set to deliver a spectacular event that entertains and inspires.
“We are blown away by the support of so many legends, and to have champions like Cyril Rioli and Gary Ablett Jnr committing to play speaks volumes for the hearts of so many greats keen to make a difference for this incredible cause.
“There’s some amazing further player announcements to come in coming weeks.”
Anand Surujpal, Chief Marketing & Growth Officer at Patties Food Group - Four’N Twenty’s parent company, who are coming on board as the major and naming-rights partner of the event - said their organisation was thrilled to be involved in such an iconic event, supporting a worthy cause.
“Four’N Twenty is proud to stand behind the return of this iconic match, now the Four’N Twenty Legends Game for Prostate Cancer,” Surujpal said. “Footy, legends, and a great cause – it’s everything we stand for as a brand that’s been part of Aussie culture for over 75 years. We’re honoured to support the Australian Prostate Centre and help drive awareness and funding for prostate cancer in a way that brings people together through sport.”
Bunnings and Tyrepower have also jumped on board as key partners for the event, in support of a great cause.
Seven Network Head of AFL and Sport Innovation, Gary O’Keeffe, said the return of the Legends Game will be a highlight on the AFL calendar, and offers ample entertainment for viewers.
“We are thrilled to see this iconic event return and for footy fans to be able to watch all the action live and free on Seven and 7plus Sport,” he said. “To see a host of popular personalities, and AFL legends - including our own Luke Hodge and Nick Riewoldt - come out of retirement for such a great cause is important and will make for exciting viewing.”
Having hosted the Legends Game for 15 years, Marvel Stadium General Manager, Scott Fitzgerald, said it was great to welcome back the iconic event to Melbourne’s busiest multi-purpose stadium.
“Marvel Stadium has been a proud supporter of the Legends Game for many years, having hosted the event for more than a decade. Alongside our partners, Delaware North and Ticketmaster, we are delighted to be a key driver in the return of this year’s event which is set to be another great spectacle for fans. Patrons can expect an enhanced match-day experience with the addition of a number of new world-class food and beverage offerings since the stadium’s redevelopment, including Friends of Fire, Stoke-Grill, View Bar and many more. We look forward to seeing a full house enjoy the event in 2025, in what is sure to be another hotly contested match.”
Tickets for the 2025 Four’N Twenty Legends Game for Prostate Cancer will go on sale to general public on Friday, July 18 at 10am via Ticketmaster. Fans can also show their support by donating directly at legendsgame.com.au.