The 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup is upon us. Stadium tickets have all but sold out and fans are already scoping out the best spots to watch the games in their city.
Australia and New Zealand are co-hosts of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, with the matches being played across 10 stadiums across both countries. There are 32 teams in the competition, playing 64 games in total, and, mercifully for us at least, they’re all happening at reasonable hours.
The tournament is the first time that the women’s matches equal the men’s in terms of straight numbers. It’s also shaping up to be the biggest female sporting event in history, with FIFA on track to sell 1.5 million tickets to the games.
If that’s not enough to get you excited, Anthony Albanese has suggested that Australia could get a day off to celebrate if the Matildas bring home Australia’s first-ever World Cup trophy.
This is all the more reason to get behind the team. The women’s national football group has a much better shot at the title than the men did last year, although it’s far from guaranteed.
All the action will kick off on 20 July and run through to 20 August, with the grand final being played in Sydney.
How to Watch the Women’s World Cup
On both free-to-air TV, paid services, and digital platforms, you won’t be short of choice when it comes to catching all the games.
Optus has secured exclusive rights to air all 64 World Cup matches live, including pre-game commentary, highlights, and bonus content. Their hub will be your go-to if you want the most extensive coverage of all the games, which can be accessed through the app on smart TVs, laptops, tablets, and mobile.
Optus Sport subscriptions start at $24.99 a month or you can grab an annual pass for $199. Existing Optus customers on certain home broadband and mobile subscriptions can get access to Optus Sport for $6.99 a month.
Optus has also sub-licenced the rights to a number of matches to the Seven Network, meaning you also have free-to-air options.
Seven will be showing 15 “key matches,” along with lead-up programmes. These games include the three confirmed Matilda’s matches, the quarter-finals, the semi-finals, and the grand final.
These games will be free to watch live on Seven and 7Plus as well as on-demand on 7Plus.
FIFA World Cup Schedule Australia
Australia has drawn Ireland, Nigeria, and Canada in their group stage, giving us a decent chance at getting through to the round of 16. It’ll be no easy battle, however.
The first three games have been scheduled, after which the Matilda’s matches will be determined by whether they place first or second in the group.
The first game is against Ireland, on 20 July at Sydney Football Stadium, kicking off at 8.00pm AEST.
The next match is against Nigeria, July 27 at Brisbane Stadium, kicking off at 8.00pm AEST.
The final match of the group stage will be against Canada on 31 July at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium, also kicking off at 8.00pm.
We’ll update you when we know the rest of the schedule, if (when) the girls go through.Â
Related: Australia and New Zealand Are Limbering Up for the FIFA Women’s World Cup
Related: Yeah the Girls — How to Book Your Tickets Now For the FIFA Women’s World Cup
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