Wollongong will play host to the annual Maso Cup for the first time as teams from NSW, Canberra and Victoria converge on the city over the Australia Day weekend.
Four Illawarra-based sides will be in action in the three-day tournament, which brings together sides of Macedonian origin.
Illawarra Premier League title hopefuls Wollongong United and Cringila Lions will co-host the 12-team carnival and will be in action during two all-Illawarra encounters at JJ Kelly Park tonight.
United will take on Shell Cove in the first match at 6.30pm before Cringila and Coniston continue their pre-season preparations in a battle of the Lions.
NSW Premier League outfits Rockdale City Suns and Bankstown City Lions will spearhead the Sydney contingent heading south, which also includes the Yagoona Lions.
Rockdale defeated Wollongong United in last year’s final in Sydney.
Newcastle outfits Broadmeadow Magic, Newcastle Suns and Broadmeadow 35s are also entered while Queanbeyan City will represent the nation’s capital and Altona Magic head to Wollongong from Victoria.
Teams have been split into three pools of four with each side to play a minimum of three 50-minute games.
Winners from each pool and the best runner-up will progress to the semi-finals.
Expectations are high for large attendances with more than 1500 people filing through the gates for last year’s tournament.
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