Tickets for the Women's World Cup have gone on sale and fans are clamouring to get their hands on some.
More than 500,000 tickets have already been snapped up by supporters for this year’s tournament in Australia and New Zealand, which kicks off in July.
If surging ticket sales are anything to go by, then this Women's World Cup Down Under promises to be the best yet.
According to Football Australia, over half-a-million tickets have already been bought by fans from more than 120 different countries around the globe.
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And with just 183 days remaining until hosts New Zealand take on Norway in the opening clash of the first-ever 32-team Women's World Cup, those ticket sales are absolutely incredible.
“Ticket sales for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 are off to a great start and it’s not just home fans in Australia and New Zealand purchasing tickets,” FIFA Secretary General Fatma Samoura said.
“Fans residing in the United States of America, England, Qatar, Germany, China PR, Canada, the Republic of Ireland and France are the top 10 purchasers of FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 tickets so far. This highlights the fantastic pull of the female game and the passion it evokes among the global football fandom, who want to be part of the FIFA Women’s World Cup and see the event reach #BeyondGreatness.”
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On top of that, the rush for tickets means Australia's opening game against Ireland could be set for a venue change with event organisers eyeing up the far-bigger 83,500-seater Stadium Australia instead.
"FIFA can confirm it has received a request from Football Australia to move Australia’s opening FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 match against Republic of Ireland to Stadium Australia,” a FIFA spokesperson told the Irish Independent.
“An assessment of the request is being conducted, and FIFA will share its decision in due course. FIFA is committed to delivering the biggest and best Women’s World Cup in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand this year.”
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FIFA added: “We confirm that the Australia v Republic of Ireland match in particular is currently demonstrating strong demand and interest from fans. Through the various stages of allocating ticketing thus far, it is evident that supporters of Republic of Ireland have accessed tickets.
“Data indicates not only significant expat support, but places the Republic of Ireland in the top ten nations by Country of Residence for ticket purchasers.”
It's testament to just how much the women's game has grown in recent years.
Last year's European Championships final between England and Germany at Wembley Stadium was played out in front of 87,192 spectators – a record attendance for any women's international fixture.
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And this year's final will hopefully channel a similar energy too with Football Australia confirming, rather unsurprisingly, that the tournament's climax on August 20 is the most sought-after ticket up for grabs.
Topics: Australia, New Zealand, Football, Womens World Cup, Womens Football
Max Sherry