South Australia is showing its support for the national women's football team, with city landmarks lighting up green and gold and fans set to converge on Festival Plaza for the Matildas' do-or-die against Denmark tonight in Sydney in the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023™.
All of the action of the historic Round of 16 match will be streamed live on the big screen at the FIFA Fan Festival™, where around 50,000 passionate football fans have already headed to enjoy a World Cup experience.
Attention turns to Hindmarsh Stadium tomorrow night, with another win-or-go-home battle - Adelaide's first Round of 16 match - when France takes on Morocco.
It will be the final of five matches in Adelaide/Tarntanya as part of the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023™, with ticket allocations to all five games exhausted prior to the tournament having even kicked off. With a full house set for Tuesday night's knockout, it is expected to bring total attendance at Hindmarsh Stadium over the five matches to more than 65,000.
As one of the largest sporting events in the world, the tournament has been watched by fans across the globe - including in countries like China and the United Kingdom which represent some of South Australia's key tourism, education and trade partners.
Latest broadcast figures show the China PR v England match at Hindmarsh Stadium reached 53.9 million viewers - making it a tournament record-high at the conclusion of the pool matches.
Following the Matildas triumphant last win against Canada, and the national team having already made history with the biggest ever Australian winning margin in a World Cup match, Adelaide buildings are lighting up 'Til it's done'.
Among the city landmarks shining green and gold tonight as SA barracks for its national women's team to make the quarter-final round will be the Adelaide Oval, Adelaide Entertainment Centre, Adelaide Convention Centre, Adelaide Railway Station, and the Adelaide Town Hall.
FIFA Fan Festival™ upcoming activities:
- Monday 7 August - kick off at 8:00pm ACST, Australia v Denmark
- Tuesday 8 August - kick off at 5.30pm ACST, Colombia v Jamaica
- Tuesday 8 August - kick off at 8:30pm ACST, France v Morocco
- Friday 11 August - 3:30pm, panel discussion: Inclusion in Sport
- Friday 11 August - 8.30pm, free music concert: Montaigne.
Entry to the FIFA Fan Festival™ is free. For opening hours and full program of activities, go to: southaustralia.com/whats-on.
Fans still looking for a ticket to tomorrow night's match at Hindmarsh Stadium are encouraged to keep checking fifa.com/tickets and the FIFA ticket resale platform as tickets may become available.
Minister for Tourism, Zoe Bettison said there's been a real football fever in the air, with thousands of fans getting behind this once-in-a-generation opportunity to be part of the largest women's sporting event in the world.
"We've seen fans cheering and chanting at Hindmarsh Stadium and dancing on the streets outside before the matches, filling venues like The Gov nearby the stadium and The Elephant British Pub in the CBD, and soaking up the World Cup atmosphere at the FIFA Fan Festival in Festival Plaza," Minister Bettison said.
"As a host city of the FIFA Women's World Cup, it has put Adelaide/Tarntanya on the global stage and in front of millions tuning into broadcasts from key tourism markets like China and the United Kingdom.
"It's not too late to be part of the World Cup action, with the competition now offering the teams who've made it this far no second chances. So, put on your team's colours and head to the FIFA Fan Festival and be part of history."
Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing Minister for Women, Katrine Hildyard said the FIFA Women's World Cup™ is all that the world dreamed of and more.
"It has smashed records in terms of attendance and viewership across the globe and it is transforming the way women and the roles they can play are seen, football and sport more generally, and our ongoing quest to advance toward a gender equal future," Minister Hildyard said.
"I am so proud that South Australia has absolutely embraced this powerful moment and that the energy, excitement and support for these magnificent athletes will continue to grow over the last twelve days of this incredible tournament.
"And I am so proud of our Government's investment to help leave a lasting, meaningful legacy that will enable even more girls and women to equally and actively participate in the sport they love, in our economy and in our community in whichever way they choose.
"Like all South Australians, I will be loudly cheering for the brilliant Australian team - go Matildas!"
