Perth’s record goalkicker Sam Kerr will play in front of up to 60,000 hometown fans as the state government announces the major move of one of the Matildas games to Optus Stadium
Perth’s record goalkicker Sam Kerr will play in front of up to 60,000 hometown fans as the state government announces the major move of one of the Matildas games to Optus Stadium.
Off the back of their historic fourth place finish in the FIFA Women’s World Cup the Matildas will play one of three Paris Olympic qualifier games at Optus Stadium, instead of at the sold out HBF Park.
Up to 40,000 additional spectators and existing ticket holders will watch the Matildas kick off against the Philippines on Sunday, October 29 at Optus.
The other two matches will remain at HBF Park, where the Matildas will play off against Iran on October 26 and Chinese Taipei on November 1 to qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
The three games will mark the Matildas first return to the pitch since the world cup and their first time playing in front of a Perth crowd since 2018.
It will also mark a significant homecoming event for the team's captain Kerr.
Premier Roger Cook, Tourism Minister Rita Saffioti and Sport and Recreation Minister David Templeman alongside a cohort of soccer stakeholders made the announcement at Optus Stadium on Monday.
The announcement comes after “unprecedented demand" saw tickets sell out for all three qualifier matches at HBF Park, which has a capacity of 20,500 fans.
It also follows weeks of consultation between the state government and Football Australia over the commercial logistics of hosting a match at Optus.
Imogen Grey, 9, replicating Sam Kerr’s signature backflip celebration. Photo: Michael O’Brien
Mr Cook said he was confident the additional 40,000 seats would sell out.
“We could not be more thrilled to bring the Matildas to Western Australia following their heroic performance at the FIFA Women’s World Cup, which was a roaring success in WA with our hospitality precincts and the dedicated FIFA Fan site experiencing bumper crowds and spectators,” he said.
“The football fanfare has been overwhelming, and to ensure we give more Western Australians and travelling fans the opportunity to experience the Matildas play in our great state, we’ve partnered with Football Australia to transfer the Sunday match day to Optus Stadium.
“Although the rectangle stadium at HBF Park is best suited for football, given all three match days have sold out, on balance it made sense to move one to Optus Stadium, so that as many fans as possible could see the team.”
Ms Saffioti said the level of staffing and food and drink services available on game day was dependent on ticket sales.
But she was confident the stadium swap would attract visitors from around the state and potentially from the eastern seaboard to create a sell out crowd.
Optus will also play host to Iran versus Chinese Taipei before the Matildas take on the Philippines team in front of up to 40,000 additional fans.
