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The countdown to the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup – Australia & New Zealand is well and truly on.
Earlier this week it was announced that over 500,000 tickets had already been sold, whilst reigning champions the USA played co-hosts New Zealand in front of a record attendance for a Ferns home international, of over 12,500.
To engage local communities around both Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand, A Unity Pitch in the tournament’s colourful livery – representing a patchwork of the tournament brand colours, reflecting the two unique local cultures of the co-hosts, and the coming together of 32 participating nations – will tour each of the tournament’s nine Host Cities.
After Adelaide / Tarntanya in midweek, the futsal-sized mobile pitch can currently be found in Te Komititanga Square in the Commercial Bay precinct of Tāmaki Makaurau / Auckland until Sunday 22 January.
Te Komititanga means ‘to mix’ or ‘to merge’ in Māori. As well as the mixing of people, the name reflects the square’s location where the waters of Waitematāand Wai Horotiu, the stream that runs under Queen Street into the harbour, merged.
There will be a range of fun events and activities to enjoy – and it’s all free. The schedule includes an opportunity for fans of all abilities, including those who are visually impaired, to test their football skills, a chance to high five FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 mascot Tazuni as well as earlier today, a meet and greet with the Football Ferns.
The Unity Pitch will next travel to Hamilton / Kirikiriroa (February 17-20), Dunedin / Ōtepoti (March 9-12), and Wellington / Te Whanganui-a-Tara (April 11-14).
More international action comes to Auckland next month for the first ever FIFA Women’s World Cup Play-Off Tournament at North Harbour Stadium.
