Matildas to play at Adelaide Oval for first time

The CommBank Matildas will play at Adelaide Oval for the first time this May, in a significant coup for South Australia and a boost for the local economy.
 
Football Australia, together with the State Government, are today announcing that Adelaide Oval will host the CommBank Matildas in an international friendly against China on Friday, May 31, with kick-off at 7.40pm.
 
In the primetime slot of Friday night, it will be one of the last opportunities for fans to see Australia’s women’s national football team play on home soil prior to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
 
Following the CommBank Matildas’ success at the recent FIFA Women’s World Cup, the team has been selling out stadiums around Australia, and it is anticipated the match at Adelaide Oval will be the hottest ticket in town.
 
The CommBank Matildas last played in South Australia during an international friendly against Chile back in November 2019, attracting a then record attendance of 10,342 at Hindmarsh Stadium.
 
The match in May is set to be a major boost for the South Australian economy, stimulating visitation to the city in the start of winter, traditionally a quieter period for tourism.
 
Hosting China’s women’s football team is another win for tourism, helping put the eyes of one of the state’s key markets on South Australia. Latest data shows visitors from China spent $77 million in SA in the year ending September 2023, making it the state’s fourth largest market.
 
When China last played in Adelaide, it was a sold-out match against England at Hindmarsh Stadium as part of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. A total of 53.9 million viewers in China watched the China PR v England match – making it the highest reach for a single match anywhere in the world in the tournament.
 
Football has a proud history in South Australia, with more than 40,000 people playing the game across 290 clubs around the state.
 
Tickets for the Adelaide Oval match will go on sale to Football Australia Football Account holders at 2.00pm (local) on Friday, 8 March 2024 and General Public at 12.00pm (local) on Tuesday, 12 March 2024. 
 
Tickets will start at $20 for Juniors, $25 Concessions, $35 Adults, and a Family Ticket starting at $90. Tickets will be available from Ticketek.
 
Premier Peter Malinauskas said off the back of their incredible performance in the FIFA Women’s World Cup, the CommBank Matildas are the hottest ticket in the country, so this is a significant coup for South Australia.
 
"The CommBank Matildas have packed stadiums in Sydney, Melbourne, Perth and Brisbane and now it is South Australia’s turn to host them at our world class Adelaide Oval," Peter Malinauskas said.
 
"This will be one of the last opportunities for fans to see the CommBank Matildas play before the Olympics, so I’d encourage everyone to book their tickets fast because they will be in high demand.
 
"The CommBank Matildas are an inspiration to young people across the country and it is exciting thousands of South Australians will have the opportunity to see them play live."
 
Minister for Tourism, Zoe Bettison said major events like this put South Australia in the international spotlight and showcase the beautiful state to the world while boosting South Australian businesses. 
 
"South Australia’s events calendar highlights the State Government’s commitment to drive visitation and support the visitor economy," Minister Bettison said.

"There’s no doubt the CommBank Matildas have inspired the nation with their exciting brand of football and I’m so excited that Adelaide gets a chance to host them before they head to Paris for their Olympic campaign.
 
"Their visit to South Australia is not only good for the fans but also good for the tourism sector, as people flock to the city booking out accommodation and hospitality venues and the eyes of one of our key markets are on our state.
 
"There is a certain momentum and real pride amongst all South Australians which we have never seen before as we continue to grow tourism in our state making South Australia a world-class destination that everyone needs to visit and experience."

Football Australia Chief Executive Officer, James Johnson said it is a delight to be bringing the CommBank Matildas back to South Australia for the first time in five years.
 
"As we have seen over the past twelve months, the CommBank Matildas are a box office entertainment juggernaut with an incredible streak of 12 sold out home matches with over 600,000 fans in attendance and millions watching the broadcast of these encounters," Mr Johnson said. 
 
"Our senior national teams are Australia’s teams, and it is important we play matches in as many capital cities as possible, and we are thrilled to be returning to Adelaide.
 
"We appreciate the support of the South Australian Government in partnering with us to provide the CommBank Matildas with a memorable occasion for one of the team’s final matches in Australia as they prepare for the Paris 2024 Olympics."