South Australia received sensational news today that our state was part of the successful Australia-New Zealand bid to co-host the FIFA Women’s World Cup™ 2023.

The South Australian Tourism Commission has worked very hard with Football Federation Australia and Football South Australia to make this happen, and to return world class football to Adelaide.

SATC chief executive Rodney Harrex said the historic event brings a FIFA tournament back to Australia for the first time in 30 years.

“It’s a great opportunity to showcase our state, and our country, to a global television audience of more than one billion people,” he said.

“The FIFA Women’s World Cup is a massive event to add to our sporting calendar, and we know the appetite for elite women’s sport is high – we just need to remember back in November last year when the Matildas attracted a record crowd for a women’s match in South Australia of more than 10,000 at Coopers Stadium for a friendly against Chile.”

The tournament will be a catalyst for the further development of women’s football in both New Zealand and Australia, the Asia-Pacific region and globally, creating a profound and enduring legacy for the women’s game.

“South Australia has a proven track record of delivering first class major events, and we will deliver another world-class event, and further showcase women’s sport on the global stage,” Mr Harrex said.

“It is going to be a genuinely exciting and historic event for all South Australians, and for the many visitors coming to our state to be a part of the celebration.”

Coopers Stadium is in line to host matches as part of a network of stadiums selected to deliver the event across 12 host cities, and we now await further advice from FIFA on the allocation of matches across the two host countries.

An indication of the level of excitement the players who have the chance to host a World Cup in their own back yard is summed up in a quote from Australian captain Sam Kerr.

“The opportunity to play in a home FIFA Women’s World Cup is something every footballer dreams of and I am looking forward to seeing those dreams come true. Playing for the Matildas in Australia will be the highlight of my career and an opportunity to inspire girls, both in Australia and New Zealand, and all over the world to play football,” she said.

For more information, visit FIFA.