27 Feb 2025

Sydney among the host cities for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026™

Australia will play in all three host cities during the group stage of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026™, giving fans across the country the chance to watch the Matildas as Australia welcomes Asia’s best talent to our shores.

Revealed today and marking one year to go until the action gets underway, the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026™ match schedule offers an eagerly anticipated glimpse into the road to The Final for the Continent’s most prestigious women’s football tournament. 

Running from Sunday 1 to Saturday 21 March 2026, Asia’s top 12 teams and the region’s best talent will go head-to-head in a 21-day festival of back-to-back football for fans to enjoy. The tournament will be held across three Australian cities: the Gold Coast (Queensland), Perth (Western Australia), and Sydney (New South Wales). 

Sydney’s iconic Stadium Australia in Homebush will be lit up for the pointy end of the competition hosting two Quarter-finals, a Semi-final and the tournament’s Final on Saturday 21 March 2026.

To celebrate one year to go and the match schedule reveal, events were held in each host city across Australia today, with performers from qualified countries China PR, Japan and Korea Republic giving a flavour of the cultural celebration to come.  

A giant football was also revealed and will be in place at Hickson Road Reserve on the iconic Sydney Harbour over the coming days. The puzzle pieces represent the four already confirmed teams, with eight question marks symbolising the teams yet to qualify. The puzzle will be completed on Saturday 5 July 2025 when the final teams for the tournament are confirmed.

Key details from the Match Schedule include:

• Tournament Format: There will be three groups of four teams with the top two from each group moving through to the knockout stage as well as the two best third placed teams from across the three groups.
• Matildas’ Matches: Australia will play one group stage match in each of the host cities - Gold Coast, Perth and Sydney. Australia’s last group stage match will be played on the poignant date of Sunday 8 March 2026, International Women’s Day at Stadium Australia.
• Knockout Stage: The Quarter-finals will take place across two venues in Perth and Sydney, with the Semi-finals played at Perth Stadium and Stadium Australia.
• Final: The Final will be staged at Sydney’s iconic Stadium Australia on Saturday 21 March.
• Tournament Qualifiers: With eight tournament spots still up for grabs, the Qualifiers will take place in late June and early July, with the final teams confirmed by Friday 5 July.
• Final Draw: Will take place in the Winter of 2025, where all qualified nations will learn their pathway to glory and teams playing in each group stage fixture will be confirmed, including designated kick-off times.
• Tickets: The ticketing program will offer a seamless, hyper-accessible experience for fans with frictionless digital ticketing and affordable pricing for all. Tickets will be on sale in Winter 2025, so fans are encouraged to sign up for priority access to guarantee their seat at this amazing festival of Women’s Football. Fans can register their interest at www.footballaustralia.com.au/afc-womens-asian-cup-2026 and follow on Instagram @WACAUS2026

Sydney Key Match Schedule Details:

• 6 group stage matches at Western Sydney Stadium, located in one of Australia’s most diverse communities.
• 1 group stage match with the Matildas playing, 2 Quarter-Finals, a Semi-Final and The Final played in Stadium Australia
• 62% of the tournament tickets will be sold at Sydney stadiums, bringing the opportunity to really showcase the melting pot of cultures within the community and welcoming fans from all over Asia.

Australian Federal Minister for Sport, Anika Wells, commented: "Following the success of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, Australia will once again come together to support and celebrate women’s sport as we host the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026. 

"We know how critically important it is for women and girls to be represented in sport, which is why the Albanese Government is supporting this event. Events like the Women’s Asian Cup help inspire the next generation of athletes and encourage more women and girls to play and stay in sports such as football.”

Football Australia (Member Host Association) CEO, James Johnson, added: "The release of the match schedule for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026™ marks an exciting milestone on our journey to hosting this prestigious tournament. With the Matildas set to play in all three host cities, fans across the country will have the opportunity to witness world-class football as we showcase the very best of women’s football in Asia. This tournament is not only about the competition on the pitch – it is about uniting communities, celebrating our diversity, and building a lasting legacy for the growth of the women’s game in Australia. We look forward to welcoming Asia’s finest teams and creating an unforgettable experience for players, fans, and football lovers alike."

AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026™ Local Organising Committee Chief Operating Officer, Sarah Walsh, noted: "Releasing the match schedule brings the tournament to life and sets the countdown well and truly in motion. From the opening whistle in Perth to The Final in Sydney, we are excited to deliver a world-class tournament that showcases the best of Asian women’s football, right here in Australia. We want everyone to get involved and feel part of the women’s football celebration and multicultural festival that will be the Women’s Asian Cup 2026. 

NSW Minister for Jobs and Tourism John Graham said: "We’re very excited that Sydney will play a lead hosting role for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026™, including two Quarter-finals, a Semi-final, The Final and an all-important Matildas group match. 

 “Sydney is a world leading destination for international sporting events and we can’t wait to welcome football fans from across Asia to experience everything NSW has to offer.”
 

To download the full Match Schedule, click HERE

 

ENDS

 

AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026™ Media Contact

Angela Habashy | General Manager – Media & Communications 

AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026™ LOC Office

E:  Angela.Habashy@footballaustralia.com.au | +61 0424747049

 

Football Australia Media Contacts

Peter Filopoulos | Chief Corporate Affairs, Brand and Communications Officer  

E: Peter.Filopoulos@footballaustralia.com.au | T: +61 (0) 437 403 408

Rebecca Trbojevich | General Manager – Media & Communications 

 E: Rebecca.Trbojevich@footballaustralia.com.au | +61 (0) 413 855 608