Australia's women's soccer team, the Matildas, are on track for their 13th consecutive home match sell-out as they gear up to face China in a friendly at the iconic Adelaide Oval in May. The match is scheduled for May 31 at the Adelaide Oval, boasting a capacity of 53,500. Football Australia revealed that an impressive 30,000 tickets were snapped up within just four hours during the pre-sale period.
James Johnson, CEO of Football Australia, highlighted the strong connection between the Matildas and the Australian public, attributing the rapid ticket sales to the growing popularity and support for football in the country. The Matildas won the hearts of Australian fans during the FIFA 2023 Women's World Cup, where they secured a commendable third-place finish.
The surge in ticket sales not only reflects the nation's passion for the sport but also plays a crucial role in bolstering the financial stability of football in Australia. Match day revenue has become a significant income stream for Football Australia, enabling further investments in the sport's development.
Following the success of the pre-sale, Football Australia announced that Adelaide Oval is on the verge of welcoming its one-millionth spectator to witness a Matildas match at home since 2017. The streak of sell-out matches commenced on July 14, 2023, with a record-breaking attendance of 50,629 fans at Melbourne's Docklands Stadium for Australia's pre-World Cup friendly against France. The team has also drawn record crowds in Sydney, Brisbane, and Perth.
Australia, currently ranked 12th by FIFA, is slated to play a second friendly against China, ranked 19th, on June 3 at Accor Stadium in Sydney. This match will serve as their farewell game before heading to France for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. The Matildas previously finished in fourth place at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021.
