Sydney succumbs to Matilda’s mania

The shortage of tickets to the Women’s World Cup is fueling the construction of about 40 live websites across the state, allowing fans to watch the games on big screens, as excitement continues to build ten days after the event kicks off.

As of last week, around 1.2 million tickets for the games in Australia and New Zealand had been sold, which, according to the football governing body FIFA, exceeds the total attendance at the biggest women’s World Cup, which was played in France in 2019.

The corporate advertising world gets on the hype train: a Nike store on George Street opens a pop-up ‘dream arena’ filled with merchandise and The Star in Pyrmont fills a luxury penthouse with trophies and Matilda memorabilia.

“We’re starting to see billboards, we’re starting to see storefronts full of gear — the hype is definitely building as the tournament gets closer,” said Samantha Lewis, a football writer and die-hard fan who analyzes the women’s game runs The Distant Post podcast.

“For those who have followed women’s football for a long time, there’s definitely a bit of ‘I told you so’. But it’s just really exciting to see people getting involved.

“I think in general people are starting to pay attention to female athletes – there are the same storylines, the same rivalries as in men’s sport, but the female athletes are so approachable, so personable and they still feel committed to using their platforms for good to use.” to drive societal change.”

As well as Sydney’s main FIFA-sanctioned fan center in Darling Harbour, demand from local councils has led some 40 live websites to prepare to broadcast some or all matches for free, broadcaster Optus said.

Locations include Parramatta Square, The Concourse at Chatswood, North Sydney Oval, Heffron Park at Maroubra, Meadowbank Park at Meadowbank, Pratten Park at Ashfield, Lambert Park at Leichhardt, Eastwood Plaza and St Ives Village Green.