Following the Matildas’ heart stopping win over France in the quarter-final of the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023, the NSW Government will open two Sydney stadiums as screening sites to ensure more football fans can cheer on the team in the semi-final.
The Matildas will face England in their knockout clash on Wednesday 16 August at Stadium Australia, kicking off at 8:00pm.
The match is already a sell out and to ensure tens of thousands more fans can watch the match in a community atmosphere, the NSW Government is applying for the rights and access to screen the match at Western Sydney Stadium in Parramatta and Sydney Football Stadium in Moore Park.
Any member of the public can attend. Ticketing and other information will be confirmed tomorrow.
The FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 has sold 1.75 million tickets across the tournament’s 64 games.
Wednesday’s match will also be screened at the FIFA Fan Festival at Tumbalong Park, in Darling Harbour, which has welcomed more than 202,000 attendees throughout the tournament.
This Wednesday’s match will be the first time the Australian football team has progressed to the semi-final stage of a FIFA Women’s World Cup, with NSW proudly backing the Matildas as they continue on their record-breaking run.
The Sydney Opera House sails will be illuminated green and gold on Wednesday night from 5:50pm, along with other Sydney landmarks, and the NSW Government’s social channels will remain green and gold.
The FIFA Fan Festival continues to screen every game for free on large screens, along with live performances and street food and will be open from 5:00pm on Wednesday 16 August.
The live broadcast screens in Cathy Freeman Park, outside Stadium Australia, will once again be activated for the Matildas’ game, following the application process.
Public screening events will again be held across Sydney and NSW for this significant FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 game. For more information please visit NSW Office of Sport.
Fans are encouraged to use public transport to travel to the game, the FIFA Fan Festival and screening sites. Visit transportnsw.info to plan your trip.
Premier of New South Wales Chris Minns said:
“The Matildas run at this FIFA World Cup has captured the nation; their quarter-final win was the highest rating TV event since Cathy Freeman’s 400m gold medal run at the Sydney Olympic Games.
“We’re opening up more big screens at Western Sydney Stadium and the Sydney Football Stadium – we want to give NSW every chance to break that viewing record.
“This is a once in a generation moment in Australian sport, and I want as many people as possible to be able to share in the excitement of the match in front of big screens with a community atmosphere.”
Minister for Jobs and Tourism John Graham said:
“We are thrilled to be hosting Matildas in their Semi Final match this week.”
“NSW is the epicentre of Matilda’s mania. Both locals and visitors have turned out in unprecedented numbers and the enthusiasm is growing by the minute.”
“This is a defining moment in sport.”
“NSW is so happy to be playing host to such a significant role in hosting this World Cup.”
NSW Minister for Sport Steve Kamper said:
“We have seen an unprecedented amount of support for our Matildas – they have truly captured the hearts of the nation.
“Their heroic performances have seen stadiums and fan sites full, and television records broken.
“One stadium is simply not enough – that’s why we are opening up the Sydney Football Stadium and Western Sydney Stadium, so that NSW can cheer along the Matildas together.”
NSW Minister for Women Jodie Harrison said:
“The Matildas have made history and we are all behind them this Wednesday for the Semi Final.”
“This team has not just broken records for women’s sport but have etched an indelible new milestone into the Australian history books.
