Even if you’ve been hiding under your thickest woolies, with your head buried in a non-football-related beanie (and who’d blame you with the cold temps?), you’d know that the FIFA Women’s World Cup has arrived down under.
While thousands upon thousands of Aussies have scored tickets to see the FIFA games live, there are countless others who’ll want to cheer on the Matildas among fellow fans elsewhere.
There’s no shortage of places to witness one of the world’s greatest sporting events either, including at numerous outdoor locations across every major Australian capital and hundreds of drinking dens.
Undoubtedly though, the best spots will be at the official FIFA Fan Festivals located in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide.
Sydney
In the host city of the first match in Australia tonight – between the Matildas and Ireland – and the final on 20 August, Sydney’s official FIFA Fan Festival is set to be abuzz with action.
Located at Tumbalong Park in Darling Harbour, this fan zone will broadcast every match of the tournament live on big screens (of course).
And if the football’s not enough, there’ll be live music performances from acts including Jessica Mauboy, street food stalls, a football playground and the first-ever FIFA Museum in Australia.
Read more about the Sydney fan zone here.
Melbourne
In sports-mad Melbourne (yes, it’s still Australia’s sporting capital despite recent high-profile events), there are plenty of free outdoor live screens showing the FIFA Women’s World Cup, not to mention bars aplenty.
The FIFA Fan Festival at Fed Square will screen every single match and host an array of entertainment, food, drinks and activities.
Among the experiences on offer will be live music, interactive games like ‘reaction walls’, a penalty shootout simulator, trivia quizzes and football-inspired kids’ activities.
Read more about the Melbourne fan zone here.
Brisbane
Brisbane’s FIFA Fan Festival will take place at Riverside Green, in the South Bank Parklands.
Like at all official fan festivals, every match will be screened, and there’ll be no shortage of exciting entertainment to accompany the football – headlined by a number of live music acts and DJs.
Additionally, there’ll be children’s entertainment, such as workshops, stage shows, face painting and discos on weekends.
Read more about Brisbane’s fan zone here.
Perth
On the west coast, the round ball game is taking over Forrest Place in Perth.
In between televised matches, fans can utilise the inflatable mini-pitch and fussball tables, take part in VR football, and even check out a PlayStation 5 gaming hub set up with EA SPORTS™ FIFA 23.
At the heart of WA’s FIFA Fan Festival, visitors will find the Food and Soul area, which pays homage to the Western Australian lifestyle.
Read about the Perth fan zone here.
Adelaide
In AFL-obsessed Adelaide, the FIFA Fan Festival will kick off, appropriately, at Festival Plaza.
Along with a broadcast of every match, there’ll be a celebration of South Australian food curated by Callum Hann, a mini-soccer pitch, table fussball, reaction station and inflatable football dart board.
Kids will also have the chance to meet the official mascot of the World Cup 2023, Tazuni.
Read about the Adelaide fan zone here.
Meanwhile, across the ditch in rugby-mad New Zealand, the country is gearing up to kick off proceedings at the first match of the World Cup in Wellington.
Let the tournament begin!
