The girls of summer are back—and you can follow them across Australia and New Zealand this July.
Sixty - four electric games . Thirty - two qualifying teams . Thirty - one jam - tamp days . Ten state - of - the - fine art stadiums . Two astral host state . One world wizard . That ’s right : The FIFA Women ’s World Cupis back at it this July , setting its view onAustraliaandNew Zealandfor a soccer showdown to remember .
July 20 , 2023 scar the calendar month - long tournament ’s ninth meter hitting the sales talk , and this yr ’s rendering promises to be nothing less than a show - stop event . More team than ever before will compete for the grand prize , a full 32 up from2019 ’s 24 . In land large and humble , club leagues have transition from semi - pro to fully professional outfits , attracting the likes oftested superstars and budding rookiesalike while strengthening interior team rosters around the earth .
And while chants of “ Messi ! ” and “ Mbappe ! ” might still be surround in our point come off of an explosiveMen ’s World Cup in Qatar , there ’s no denying that the women ’s secret plan is squeeze at their cad . grant tothe 2022 UEFA European Women ’s Championship ’s post - mortem report , a record 574,875 spectators symbolise more than 100 countries flocked to England to catch match in - person last summer , while a whopping 365,000,000 watched along from home . An even more telling stat ? 85 % of meeter aver they would continue to suffer international domesticated women ’s football in the come years .
Can the USWNT pull off the elusive World Cup hat trick? There’s only one way to find out.|FMG Stadium Waikato
So the stage is prepare . The players are ready . And there ’s only one affair left to do : Get you to the game . Here ’s everything you need to know about plan a once - in - a - lifetime trip to the 2023 Women ’s World Cup .
There’s Never Been a Better Time to Travel for Sports
From the FIFA World Cup to the Premier League and every screaming goal in between, there’s nothing like scoring a front row seat—even if it means crossing an ocean or two.
Why this Women’s World Cup is bigger and badder than ever
As the last year has shown , an flesh out squad pool means even more cutthroat qualification game . internal squad around the world have been duking it out in a series of heated matchups direct up to 2023 , including major outcome like the aforementionedUEFA European Women ’s Championship , which run into host England prevail in a two - one stunner against Germany to assure their World Cup bidding . Ten other teams from that memorable tournament also managed to punch their tickets to the heavy show , alongside automatic qualifiers Australia and New Zealand , plus the top 16 contenders follow out ofthe 2022 AFC Women ’s Asian Cup , North America ’s CONCACAF W Championship , South America ’s 2022 Copa América Femenina , andthe 2022 Women ’s Africa Cup of Nations . The remaining three slots will be determined via a exceptional 10 - team play - off schedule to go down in February .
Of the 29 already - qualified teams , there are plenty of favorites to keep your eyes ( and perhaps your wallets ) trained on . TheUS Women ’s National Teamis a no - brainer , having won both the 2019 Women ’s World Cup and the more recent CONCACAF Championship . England ’s dress Lionesses seem unstoppable after their bedazzle UEFA performance , andTeam Canada ’s amber medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympicsshouldn’t go unnoticed . Fellow frontrunners Brazil , Australia , France , Germany , Spain , Japan , China , Sweden , and the Netherlands are all guarantee to put up a fight , while World Cup newcomers Zambia , Morocco , Philippines , Vietnam , and the Republic of Ireland are dangerously eager to leaven their worth .
“ A caboodle of the men ’s players are really actively promoting the women ’s game , particularly when it come to the FIFA Women ’s World Cup , ” says Sydney - base freelance journalist and zealous football fanLavender Baj . “ The fact that there was such a short timeframe between the end of the serviceman ’s tourney and the scratch of the charwoman ’s means that the passion for football is at an all time luxuriously — hopefully we ’ll see a massive influx of fan flocking to Australian shores to watch the little girl . ”
Megan Rapinoe and the rest of the USWNT squad celebrate a win at the 2022 Women’s World Cup.|FIFA Women’s World Cup
The group stages are split evenly between the countries , with New Zealand square up off against Norway at Auckland ’s Eden Park for the opening match on July 20 , followed intimately by Aussie captain Sam Kerr ’s Matildas taking onArsenal caption Katie McCabe’smighty Republic of Ireland in Sydney afterwards that day . American viewers can determine all 64 game live with English - language reportage on FOX ( Spanish broadcast will screen on Telemundo Deportes ) , but fans stuck stateside should brace themselves for a tempestuous ride , eternal rest - wise—7 postmortem examination in Australia render to 3 am New York time . So unless you ’re contented to cover a nocturnal lifestyle this summer , you should in all probability consider booking a flight of steps , snagging some tickets , and basking in the radiance of the beautiful plot aright from the sun - drenched stand .
Make the trip Down Under on a guided tour or solo adventure
pitch up for a World Cup escapade is no minor chore — and that goes twice when you ’re mete out with an unprecedented amount of games staged across two dissimilar nation on the other side of the satellite . Thankfully , that ’s where sport - focused travel bureau likeRoadtripscome in .
“ This is our third Women ’s World Cup and it ’s a acquire production for us — the great unwashed love it , ” say laminitis and chair Dave Guenther . “ It ’s been really interesting and exciting to see this event take off , and we ’re creating all kind of customized experiences for Australia and New Zealand this summertime . ”
Roadtrips , along with other leading US - base company likeVictory Sports ToursandAlliance Sports Travel , represents a growing number of luxury travel agencies lead advantage ofa current surge in sport - motivated change of location . Tired of sitting on the proverbial sideline for the last few pandemic - ridden long time , sports fans the public over are now get an increased effort to attend handsome ticket contests in - soul . And for USWNT traditionalist , that means first setting their sights on the beautiful island nation of New Zealand , where the reigning friend will present Vietnam and the formidable Netherlands during the tournament ’s initial group stage .
“ Team USA ’s docket run between Auckland and Wellington for three compeer , ” Guenther say . “ Roadtrips will have a full host team servicing Guest , great hotel in both cities , individualize sports meeting and greets , dedicated transfers , options for individual day enlistment , and everything else someone need to turn a World Cup into a full New Zealand experience — plus the opportunity to attend the matches . ”
In addition to theUSWNT grouping leg deal , Roadtrips also bid travel guidebook encompassing thesemi - finalsandfinals , as well as custom tours and the ability to pursue other teams likeCanada , Brazil , and England . software program like these are n’t cheap , of course of study . But considering the only component you have to order on your own is getting yourself on the plane , the start rates—$4,295 per person for seven Nox and $ 6,945 per person for a 12 - Nox junket — seem like a pocket-sized cost to pay off for an up close and personal spirit at the most elite players in cleaning lady ’s football .
On the other mitt , you may always forge your own path . For that , you ’ll need to secure your shipping and lodging in each innkeeper city , a whirlwind list that includesBrisbane , Dunedin , Auckland , Adelaide , Melbourne , Perth , Sydney , Hamilton , andWellington . individual - match slate are on cut-rate sale now through March 3 viaFIFA ’s prescribed website , and while they wo n’t set you back too much money - heady , heavy match will sell out quickly , so you better get on that pronto .
Banyana Banyana, South Africa’s Women’s National Team, celebrates a World Cup-qualifying victory at the 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.|FIFA Women’s World Cup
No matter how you get there , check that to carve out some prison term to soak up the landscape tarry outside the stadium wall . Because unless you ’re a professional jet - setter , spending a few weeks traversing New Zealand and Australia is the definition of a bucketful list particular — whether or not the Women ’s World Cup hap to be in townsfolk .
Australia Is Finally Open to Tourists, and It’s Just as Gorgeous as Ever
Welcome back to Oz.
What to do and see between matches
“ From a tourism perspective , Australia ’s joint hosting of the 2023 FIFA Women ’s World Cup is well - timed as the world emerges from the world-wide pandemic and people are looking to travel again , ” explains Chris Allison , frailty Chief Executive of North America forTourism Australia . “ From our world - course sporting facilities [ to ] our stunning natural surround , our divers cuisine ruminate the many cultures who call Australia home , and our lovesome and welcoming people , the World Cup will pull up stakes a live on legacy as one of our country ’s great sporting moments , not just in the five server cities , but in communities across the land . ”
Allison has upright cause to be affirmative about the World Cup ’s impact on Australia ’s still - recovering external tourism industry . The tournament spans a immense portion of the area ’s impressive 2,941,300 square miles , from city like Sydney and Melbourne all the mode to the Western Australia Das Kapital of Perth . Along the manner , game in seaboard Brisbane and southern charmer Adelaide allow even more incentive to hazard outside the bowl and debase your leg .
“ Our experience from former international sporting events is that fans , fellowship , and ally tend to travel between host city and surrounding area to live Australia between matches , ” Allison adds . Whether you ’re planning an epic road trip or lining up a series of flights , there ’s no shortage of extramarital action to keep you busybodied whenever your eyes are n’t glued to the slant .
Dutch Oranje fans don’t play when it comes to supporting their national teams.|FIFA Women’s World Cup
Tourism Australia has a litany of recommendations for World Cup fan looking to round out their schedules . away from hotspots like Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House , Sydney ’s home to full-bodied historical and ethnic territorial dominion likeThe Rocks and Circular Quay , buzzy newcomerBarangaroo , and the always - bustlingCentral Business District ( CBD).Bondi Beach , Bronte Beach and Clovelly , Palm Beach , andCoogeeprovide the ocean vibes , while seafarer in lookup of an aquatic risky venture can book unforgettable immersive experience viaSydney Harbor Exclusive Luxury Yacht ChartersandSydney Seaplanes .
In Melbourne , do n’t missthe art - straw Laneways , charmingSt Kilda , poshFitzroy and Collingwood , andCarlton , an Italian enclave brim with quality eating house and cut - border coffee shops . Got a little extra time ? tope your fill along aYarra Valley Wine Tasting Touror take to the sky withGlobal Ballooning . As for fast - growingBrisbane , Tourism Australia paint a picture strike the water withRiver to Bay duty tour boats , GoBoat’sfleet of individual pushover charter , andBrisbane Whale Watching . Did you know Queensland is one of just two Australian states where you could snuggle up to a actual - deal native bear ? receive out more atLone Pine Koala Sanctuary — the selfies alone will be deserving the effort . And down in Adelaide , it ’s all about good food and swallow , from the crowd - pleasing stands liningAdelaide Central Marketto some of the Southern Hemisphere ’s top vineyards stationed withinSouth Australia ’s wine nation .
Co - legion New Zealand is also gear up for this summer ’s close at hand wave of international tourists . The famously scenic island nation has been hard at work unveil new and exciting attractions for visiting football game lover , fromswanky five - headliner boutique hotel in Aucklandtoaward - succeed Indigenous cuisine in Wellington .
Matildas captain and star striker Sam Kerr poses with adoring fans at a recent national team fixture.|FIFA Women’s World Cup
“ Over the last few calendar month , we have been preparing to show fan from all around the world what makes Aotearoa New Zealand unique , ” says Sarah Handley , general manager of Europe and the Americas atTourism New Zealand . subject and point ? In an exploit to “ fix the tone of manaakitanga ( a deep formulation of hospitality ) , ” Handley and her team went so far as to collaborator withAuckland - based Māori hapū Ngāti Whātua Ōrākeito createcustom welcome videosfor each visit team ’s homeside .
We’ve Been Waiting Years for This Epic Adventurous Country to Reopen
Get ready to gaze heroically into the horizon from a cliff top.
But that ’s not all . “ There are so many distinguishable activities fans can receive in each of our boniface urban center , ” Handley go forward . “ Some can well be done between biz , from visiting the iconicSky Towerin Auckland to discovering all thingsLord of the RingsandThe Hobbitat theWētā Cave & Workshopin Wellington . If you have more time and are looking for something more immersive , we recommendmeeting the earth ’s modest penguinin Dunedin orzip liningthrough Hamilton ’s luminescence worm - dot wonderland . ”
USWNT teammates and sisters Sam and Kristie Mewis get ready to rep the red, white, and blue.|U.S. Soccer
Auckland’s Eden Park will be ground zero for visiting USWNT fans.|Eden Park
The scrappy New Zealand Ferns promise to be a worthy opponent come game day.|Sky Stadium
Even Sydney’s iconic Opera House is getting into the World Cup spirit.|FIFA Women’s World Cup
Hang with koalas in Brisbane for a once-in-a-lifetime cuddle.|Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary
It’s nearly impossible to get stressed in Auckland—no matter how poorly your team is doing.|Photo by Matt Crawford Courtesy of New Zealand Tourism
Lean into Wellington’s lush natural landscape.|Photo by Graeme Murray courtesy of New Zealand Tourism
