Record Attendance at Women’s World Cup as Matildas Soar
The Women’s World Cup has reached new heights of success with record-breaking attendance figures, thanks to the incredible performances of the Australian national team, the Matildas. The expanded 32-team format, coupled with Australia’s outstanding run to the semifinals, has generated tremendous excitement and packed stadiums across the tournament.
Soccer’s international governing body, FIFA, announced on Tuesday that a staggering 1.77 million tickets have been sold for the tournament, co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand. The total attendance for the 60 games has reached an impressive 1,734,028 spectators, showcasing the growing popularity and global appeal of women’s soccer.
One particular highlight of the 2023 edition has been the remarkable match attendance at Sydney’s Stadium Australia, with a record-breaking 75,784 spectators witnessing three games, despite the limited capacity imposed due to COVID-19 restrictions. The stadium, originally built for the 2000 Olympics, has been buzzing with energy as fans show their unwavering support for the tournament.
FIFA also revealed that the average crowd size across the ten venues has exceeded expectations, standing at 28,900 spectators per game. This number is a remarkable improvement of over 7,000 from the average attendance at the 2019 Women’s World Cup in France, and over 4,000 above the historical average attendance of the eight previous editions of the tournament.
The significant increase in attendance can be attributed to the tournament’s expansion from 24 to 32 participating teams. The inclusion of more nations has undoubtedly contributed to the rise in interest and fan engagement, highlighting the global growth and inclusiveness of women’s soccer.
Australia’s inspiring journey to the semifinals has been a major contributing factor to the record-breaking attendance figures. In a thrilling quarterfinal match against France, the Matildas secured a historic 7-6 penalty shootout victory in Brisbane last Saturday. The team’s performance has captivated the nation, and the excitement surrounding their success is palpable.
As Australia prepares to face European champions England in the semifinals, national pride and support for the Matildas are at an all-time high. The country is set to come to a standstill as fans eagerly watch the highly anticipated match, with other sports teams even adjusting their schedules to ensure they can support their fellow athletes.
The Australian men’s basketball team, the Boomers, rearranged their warm-up game against Brazil to accommodate the broadcast of the Women’s World Cup semifinal. Patty Mills, a guard for the Atlanta Hawks and key member of the Boomers, expressed the team’s unwavering support for the Matildas, acknowledging the nation’s collective enthusiasm for the tournament.
The Matildas have really captured the nation this World Cup, Mills said. Just like the rest of the country, our Boomers team have been locked in for each game, watching it as a team.
The remarkable success of the Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand has brought women’s soccer into the global spotlight. The record-breaking attendance figures, electrifying performances, and widespread enthusiasm indicate a promising future for the sport. As the tournament progresses towards its thrilling conclusion, the world is witnessing the emergence of a new era of women’s soccer, showcasing the incredible talent and inspiring stories of athletes from around the globe.
For more news and coverage of the Women’s World Cup, visit https://apnews.com/hub/fifa-womens-world-cup.
