- Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events
Victoria has thrown its weight behind Australia's bid to secure the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup, the largest women's sporting event in the world.
Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Martin Pakula today joined Matildas stars Jenna McCormick and Laura Alleway at AAMI Park, confirming that the 2023 World Cup bid led by Football Federation Australia (FFA) would include plans to play five games at the Melbourne venue.
The ninth FIFA Women's World Cup will be the largest ever with 32 teams to play 64 games over a five-week period in July/August. The 2019 World Cup held in France comprised 52 matches and a global TV audience of more than 63 million tuned in to watch the USA defeat the Netherlands in the final.
The total tournament broadcast audience for France 2019 was estimated at one billion - underlining the potential benefits for Melbourne and Victoria if Australia was to secure hosting rights.
Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Japan, South Africa and South Korea/North Korea have confirmed they will also bid for the 2023 World Cup - FIFA is expected to confirm the host in May 2020.
The Andrews Labor Government is backing sporting opportunities for women and girls at grassroots and elite levels, including securing cricket's 2020 ICC T20 World Cup final for the MCG on March 8 - International Women's Day.
The Government has invested more than $850 million in community sport and recreation facilities since November 2014, including building female friendly facilities across the state.
The 2023 FIFA World Cup bid builds on strong momentum in women's soccer in Victoria and Australia, with FFA recently announcing prizemoney parity for the Matildas and Socceroos.
McCormick and Alleway will join their Melbourne Victory W-League teammates in South Korea this month for games against top teams from China, Japan and the host nation in the inaugural AFC Women's Club Championship.
Reigning W-League premier Victory will represent the league and the state with the aid of a $10,000 sponsorship awarded by the Government's trade arm Global Victoria.
As noted by Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Martin Pakula
"Melbourne loves putting on a show and the FIFA World Cup is as big as it gets in women's sport."
"Major events and sport are synonymous with Victoria - we are proud to be playing our role with Football Federation Australia in the bid to win the rights to host what will be an amazing month on the global calendar."
As noted by Football Federation Australia chair Chris Nikou
"Victoria is a world leader in delivering major sporting tournaments and it makes perfect sense that they are part of our bid to host the world's largest women's sporting event here in Australia."
