The rebuilt Sydney Football Stadium has opened just under a year out from the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023™. Australia’s Matildas had the honour of playing the first football match at the venue with the second of their two-match series against Olympic champions Canada taking place on Tuesday. Within walking distance of the Sydney CBD, the state-of-the-art 42,500 capacity facility is the only completely new venue that will be used at Australia and New Zealand 2023. Originally constructed in 1988, the former stadium has previously hosted FIFA World Cup™ qualifiers, A-League Men and Women Grand Finals and, notably, the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament final at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games.
Sydney Football Stadium opening match - Australia vs. Canada
The Sydney Football Stadium will host seven matches at next year’s Women’s World Cup, including Australia’s opening match. One of the key design elements in the stadium is the striking artwork illustrated across the seats completed by Indigenous artist Tony Albert. “It’s wonderful to see this impressive, modern and world class stadium open just under a year out from the FIFA Women’s World Cup,” said Jane Fernandez, Chief Operating Officer (Australia), FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023.
“Players and fans alike will thoroughly enjoy the experience on offer at this stadium just near Sydney’s CBD. “This is a state-of-the-art venue with high-level player facilities, but also one designed with the fan experience at heart and is yet another high-class stadium that international visitors to Australia will enjoy visiting. “This stadium will provide a lasting legacy for football far beyond next year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup.”
A home crowd of 26,997 was on hand to see Canada defeat the Matildas 2-1. Mary Fowler opened the scoring, but Adriana Leon scored a brace to give the visitors back-to-back wins on their tour Down Under, following a 1-0 win on Saturday in Brisbane. Meanwhile, 2023 Women’s World Cup co-hosts New Zealand continued their preparations by defeating Mexico 1-0 on Friday in Los Angeles and followed that up with a 2-1 come-from-behind win against Philippines later on Tuesday.