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Sydney has marked one year to go until the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023™ kicks off in Australia & New Zealand, launching the vibrant FIFA Women’s World Cup Unity Pitch on Sydney Harbour at Barangaroo and lighting up the world-famous Sydney Harbour Bridge in celebration.

To officially start the countdown, FIFA’s Secretary General, Fatma Samoura, unveiled the vibrant and unique multi-coloured Unity Pitch to represent the diverse people and cultures brought together on Gadigal land by this global sporting event. One Year to Go animations will also be beamed onto the pylons of the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge as an open invitation to women’s football fans from all over the world to book their trip to Sydney. 

Minister for Enterprise, Investment and Trade, Minister for Tourism and Sport and Minister for Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said Sydney had a celebrated history hosting major international sporting events.

“The countdown is officially on until the largest sporting event to be held on Australian soil since the 2000 Olympics takes place in Sydney. The occasion marks the first time this significant event has been hosted in the Southern Hemisphere, once again demonstrating Sydney is the events capital of the Asia Pacific,” Minister Ayres said.

“Being there as the Matildas run onto the new Sydney Football Stadium in Moore Park for the opening match on 20 July 2023, will be a highlight on the sporting calendar and we encourage visitors from all over Australia and around the world to make the trip to Sydney for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023™.”

FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023™ COO Australia Jane Fernandez said: “Today is a really exciting and important milestone on the road to the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023TM.

“The vision for the tournament is to unite the world through a unique experience and showcase the world’s best players with a world-class event that will see women’s football go Beyond Greatness.”

CommBank Matildas player Ellie Carpenter joined local sports stars including the first captain of the Matildas Julie Dolan, Rugby Sevens Gold medallist Chloe Dalton, basketballer Shyla Heal, and Football Ferns player Malia Steinmetz, in a friendly futsal match on the harbourside Unity Pitch.

The Unity Pitch will tour all host cities prior to 20 July 2023, before being gifted to the host countries as part of FIFA’s commitment to leaving a lasting legacy in Australia and New Zealand.  The tour of the Unity Pitch is a representation of the two vibrant and unique cultures of each nation, celebrating the coming together of 32 participating nations and symbolising football as a unifying and progressive game.

Carpenter, the Matildas’ dynamic defender, was born and raised in Cowra in regional NSW before relocating to Western Sydney at a young age to pursue her football career. Here she shares her top eight insider tips for all football fans to see and do while they are in Sydney and NSW:

1. Climb an icon: See Sydney from a different perspective and feel on top of the world with BridgeClimb Sydney.
2. Immerse in nature: Explore the spectacular Royal Botanic Garden in the heart of the city.
3. Discover local history: Learn about the rich colonial history of The Rocks and experience its transformation into a thriving entertainment precinct with amazing dining, drinking and shopping options.
4. Experience invigorating events: Attend an event at Accor Stadium at Sydney Olympic Park - Ellie has been an ambassador for the venue since she was 16 years old and has very fond memories of her time here.
5. Dine on local produce: With the “best views of the Harbour and city” and “superb food with an Aussie twist” Ellie says no visit to Sydney is complete without dining at Bennelong Sydney. The iconic restaurant is located inside the sails of the Sydney Opera House.
6. Explore like the locals: For a secret Sydney experience, hire a kayak in Manly on Sydney’s Northern Beaches and explore secluded beaches on Sydney Harbour that can only be accessed by the water.
7. Take a luxurious short-break: For a “uniquely Australian and breathtakingly peaceful” experience that is only a 1-hour drive from the CBD, book a trip to Emirates One&Only Wolgan Valley in the Blue Mountains.
8. Take a road trip: Visiting Ellie’s hometown of Cowra? Be sure to take a stroll through the picturesque grounds of Cowra Japanese Garden and Cultural Centre, followed by lunch. If you’re keen for something more active, water sports at the Wyangala Dam will get the heart racing.        

Sydney will host 11 FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023™ matches from Thursday 20 July 2023 to Sunday 20 August 2023, including the opening match and Final. Tickets will go on sale from 6 October at www.fifa.com/beyondgreatness starting from $20 for adults and $10 for children.

The Unity Pitch at Barangaroo will be open to the public and local football groups until 24 July 2022.

For more information on things to see and do in Sydney visit www.sydney.com. Share your favourite Sydney experiences on social media using #feelnewsydney #ILoveSydney.  

The FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023™ forms a part of the NSW Government’s 10 World Cups in 10 Years initiative which attracts the world’s largest and most prestigious sporting events to the NSW.

Media contact:
Hannah Rayment, DNSW PR Manager 
E: hannah.rayment@dnsw.com.au
M: 0472 646 176