South Australia is set to return to the football world stage with news that Adelaide has been selected as a host city for the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup.
The announcement made in Sydney early this morning confirms that Adelaide has been chosen as a host city – putting SA in front of a massive international audience and showcasing women's football to the world.
Premier Steven Marshall said this was a huge coup for South Australia.
"This will be one of the biggest sporting events to be played on Australian soil – and Adelaide will be a big part of it," Premier Marshall said.
"Because of my government's strategic investment in sporting infrastructure, we've brought the world's best tennis players to South Australia and now we're bringing some of the world's best female soccer players.
"Not only is this going to promote female soccer across our state – it's going to be a massive opportunity to showcase South Australia to a global television audience of more than one billion people.
"We now await further advice from FIFA on the allocation of matches across the two host countries."
The event will see 32 nations playing 64 matches over approximately 30 days across nine cities.
Minister for Sport, Corey Wingard, said smart investment in sporting infrastructure has put South Australia in the best possible position to bid for and win sporting events just like this.
"This announcement wouldn't have been possible if we hadn't committed $53 million into upgrading Hindmarsh Stadium – which will include a major overhaul of the stadium's change rooms, a shade covering over the eastern grandstand, a full replacement of the pitch, new arena lighting and improved media and corporate facilities," Minister Wingard said.
"Smart investment by the Marshall Liberal Government in sporting infrastructure is paying dividends for South Australia. Our Memorial Drive upgrade has secured international tennis for at least a decade and upgrading Hindmarsh Stadium has meant we have secured women's World Cup games.
"This is in addition to the Marshall Liberal Government contributing a further $1.75 million towards the City of Charles Sturt's $3.5 million project to upgrade the public realm surrounding Hindmarsh Stadium, including streetscape improvements, public artworks and the construction of a raised intersection."
The South Australian Tourism Commission, along with Football Federation Australia, the Office for Recreation, Sport and Racing and Football South Australia, highlighted several key elements in the bid – including South Australia's vision to provide a lasting legacy for football and women in sport, with a focus on profound change for women's football and sport more broadly.
"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," he said.
"We know the appetite for elite women's sport is high and that the teams attract huge numbers of supporters and fans – and that is great for tourism and business in SA."
Football Australia Chairman Chris Nikou welcomed the news.
"Today's announcement of the Host Cities and match venues, including Adelaide's Hindmarsh Stadium, for the tournament is a major milestone in the build-up to the next FIFA Women's World Cup - a tournament that will unite nations, inspire generations, and provide our diverse and multicultural game with the perfect platform to grow over the coming years," he said.
Football Australia Chief Executive Officer, James Johnson said today's announcement was a significant step towards the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 - the first-ever 32-nation Women's World Cup.
"An impressive 2.8 million Australian viewers watched the FIFA Women's World Cup 2019 in France, but in 2023, that number will soar as Australia welcomes the world and unites behind the Matildas on home soil," he said.
"The tournament will be a festival of football right across Australia. Football Australia is committed to playing an integral part in bringing the tournament to life, and delivering the best-ever FIFA Women's World Cup in partnership with FIFA and our counterparts in New Zealand."
