Australia’s beloved national women’s soccer team, the Matildas, is set to clash with China at Adelaide Oval in May, marking one of their final matches before heading to the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Scheduled for May 31, this game holds particular significance as it marks the Matildas’ return to Adelaide after almost five years. Anticipation is soaring, with expectations of a sold-out Adelaide Oval, given the team’s recent packed stadium appearances in Perth and Melbourne following their thrilling journey to the World Cup semi-finals last year.
Premier Peter Malinauskas expressed his enthusiasm, stating that the Matildas are “the hottest ticket in the country,” emphasizing the event’s significance for the state. He described the CommBank Matildas as an inspiration to young people nationwide.
The Matildas’ profile and women’s football as a whole have experienced a substantial boost since the 2023 World Cup, hosted in Australia and New Zealand. Hindmarsh Stadium in Adelaide hosted four sellout matches during the tournament, including the clash between China and England, watched by a staggering 53.9 million people in China.
Although the Premier did not disclose the amount the state government invested in bringing the game to Adelaide, the significance of this event is emphasized by the fact that the Matildas’ last game in Adelaide took place in November 2019, attracting 10,342 fans at Hindmarsh Stadium. The Adelaide Oval match might also serve as a homecoming for Charli Grant, a former Adelaide United player and a consistent member of the Matildas squad, currently playing for Tottenham Hotspur in England.
