The FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023™ is nearly upon us!

Tuesday 11 April marked 100 days to go until the opening matchday. Those opening matches in Auckland/Tāmaki Makaurau and Sydney/Gadigal will surely be here in no time given time seems to have passed rapidly since the One Year To Go milestone last July. Tuesday saw celebrations in the respective nation’s two largest cities, Sydney/Gadigal and Auckland/Tāmaki Makaurau. But the day was more than a simple milestone with tickets going back on sale, and the tournament’s unique ‘Unity Beat’ launched.

Hundreds of fans across Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand were on hand to launch the unique Unity Beat – a powerful chant that will be an inclusive and consistent part of the fan experience during Australia & New Zealand 2023. Designed by and for fans and involving clapping, singing and chanting, the Unity Beat was months in the making. The supporters on hand at the Sydney Football Stadium and Eden Park - many donning the colours of the 32 competing nations - road-tested the Unity Beat and the early indications are that it will add a unique flavour to the tournament.

There were activities too in Brisbane/Meaanjin​ and Wellington/Te Whanganui-a-Tara as the Unity Pitch commenced a week-long spell in the respective city centres. Meanwhile there were spectacular scenes in Dunedin/Ōtepoti where 32 balls - one for each participating nation - were released down the steepest street in the world, Baldwin St.

A host of special dignitaries were on hand on either side of the Tasman, with Tazuni, as usual, the most recognisable and popular attendee. Notably, there was also confirmation of Australia’s newest Beyond Greatness Champion Natasha Stott Despoja. “We expect the Unity Beat to become an integral part of creating a fantastic stadium experience for all fans,” said Dave Beeche, CEO of the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023. "The two opening matches, the first at Eden Park in Auckland and the second in Sydney later that day, mean July 20 2023 will be one of the biggest days in women's football history. But this women's tournament is not just about football, it's about celebrating women's sports and women's empowerment all over the world." The day also saw tickets for the tournament’s Last-Minute Sales Phase open at FIFA.com/tickets.