Tim Cahill to headline exhibition match against Ronaldinho in Sydney as part of “Joga Bonito Tour”
“Ronaldinho’s XI vs. Cahill’s XI” to be played on 1 November, 2024 at CommBank Stadium
Tickets for Sydney match already on sale, via Ticketek
INCASA.DM has today announced that Australian football legend Tim Cahill will captain a team of local Australian and A-League royalty to face Brazilian icon Ronaldinho in the much-anticipated exhibition match at CommBank Stadium in Sydney on November 1, 2024.
Dubbed “Ronaldinho’s XI vs. Cahill’s XI,” this match marks Cahill’s first appearance on home soil since 2019.
Brazilian midfielder Ronaldinho (L) is tackled by Australian midfielder Tim Cahill (R) in their opening round Group F World Cup football match at Munich’s World Cup Stadium. ROBERTO SCHMIDT/AFP via Getty Images
Cahill’s team will have north of 450 combined Matildas and Socceroos caps, with the complete squad lists set to be unveiled in the coming weeks via social media. This unique showdown promises to deliver an unforgettable experience for football fans.
“I’m really looking forward to coming home and putting on a show with the legend that is Ronaldinho,” Cahill said. “When he asked me to join him I couldn’t say no. It’s going to be great to reconnect with some old teammates too and give the fans a great experience at CommBank stadium,” he added.
Don’t miss your chance to secure tickets for what will be an amazing clash of stars in Sydney. Tickets for “Ronaldinho’s XI vs. Cahill’s XI” are available now via Ticketek, starting at $80.
Make sure to follow the‘Joga Bonito Tour’Instagram channel as new information, along with exciting squad announcements, are released in the coming days and weeks.
The National Rugby League (NRL) has today announced the draw for the 2024 Pacific Championships to be played in four countries across four consecutive weekends in October and November.
In a major development, the 2024 edition will see the introduction of promotion and relegation with the winner of the Men’s and Women’s Pacific Bowls to play off against the third-placed Pacific Cup nations for a place in their respective 2025 Pacific Cup pools.
Fiji will host Pacific Championship matches for the first time as the event expands further into the Pacific in 2024, with Port Moresby’s Santos Stadium to once again host matches alongside Brisbane, Christchurch, Auckland and Sydney.
NRL CEO Andrew Abdo said the introduction of promotion and relegation adds extra significance to each contest following the success of the maiden Pacific Championships in 2023.
“The 2024 Pacific Championships will be the biggest sporting event in the region,” Mr Abdo said.
“This year we have raised the stakes by adding promotion and relegation across the men’s and women’s tournaments so there is a great deal at stake in the Pacific Championships.”
Abdo said the 2024 Pacific Championships will once again serve as a reminder of the cultural significance of Rugby League within Pasifika communities.
“As the Pacific’s largest sport, Rugby League is fast becoming the language that unifies the region.
“The Pacific Championships is a powerful showcase and celebration of culture, connecting passionate Rugby League fans in each host city and nation into one pulsating sporting community.
“Fans will have the opportunity to experience the unique colour and atmosphere that the Pacific Championships brings with each venue hosting double-header match days to create a carnival atmosphere with local and visiting supporters.”
Tournament details:
The 2024 Men’s tournament will once again feature two divisions with top ranked nations Australia, New Zealand and Tonga to contest the Cup while Fiji, Papua New Guinea (PNG) and Cook Islands will face-off for the Bowl.
An expanded 2024 Women’s tournament will include four weeks of Cup and Bowl matches, with the Bowl to serve as a Rugby League World Cup 2026 qualifying event. The Women’s Cup division includes top ranked Australia, New Zealand and PNG, with Fiji, Tonga, Cook Islands and Samoa to contest the Bowl. The Women’s Bowl winners will be rewarded with direct entry to RLWC 2026, while the runner-up will progress to the 2025 World Series.
The 2024 Pacific Championships is proudly supported by the NSW Government’s tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW.
The Pacific Bowl is proudly supported by the Australian Government through PacificAus Sports. PacificAus Sports creates opportunities for Australian and Pacific athletes to learn, train, play, and grow together.
Tickets start at just $25 for adults and $50 for families via nrl.com/tickets.
NRL Club Members will have the first opportunity to purchase tickets from 11am AEST today (Friday 30 August), followed by NRL Account Holders from 2pm AEST.
Tickets will be available to the general public from 4pm AEST today.
Football NSW has announced that the 2024 National Premier Leagues Men’s and Women’s NSW First Grade Grand Finals will be played as a double header at CommBank Stadium on Saturday, 7th September.
Parramatta’s state-of-the-art stadium will play host to some of the best NPL football talent in Australia, with the Men’s and Women’s Grand Finals coming together for the first time in a spectacular end to the 2024 NPL NSW Season.
Confirming Football NSW’s commitment to delivering the best participant and spectator experience, the double header will provide a unique opportunity to witness the top NSW teams in men’s and women’s football going head-to-head for Championship glory.
Football NSW CEO John Tsatsimas was excited about the prospects of bringing the two finals together in a historic event for the NSW football community.
“It is exciting for everyone involved to be able to host both our women’s and men’s top tier competitions at such a prestigious football venue,” he said.
“Football NSW is dedicated to showcasing our competitions and this double header will be a crowning moment in what’s been an exciting season for everyone involved.
“How can you not be excited by the prospect of seeing our best female and male players competing in their biggest game of the season, in front of what we hope will be a healthy crowd supporting our beautiful game.” With the men’s and women’s regular seasons still in the balance, the announcement provides extra motivation for the teams fighting for a Championship Series spot.
Ticketing information will be released soon and, off the back of unprecedented growth in the sport, Football NSW is encouraging the footballing community and the wider public to get out and support some of the state’s top footballing talent.
The 2024 edition will be Footbal NSWs third Grand Final event hosted at CommBank Stadium, with previous NPL Men’s NSW finals taking place in 2019 when APIA Leichhardt FC was crowned Champions and 2022 which saw Blacktown City FC lift the trophy.
2024 NPL Men’s and Women’s NSW Double Header Saturday, September 7 CommBank Stadium, Parramatta NPL Women’s NSW Grand Final Kick-off 2:00pm NPL Men’s NSW Grand Final Kick-off 6.00pm
Australia’s own multi-platinum chart-topping global superstar The Kid LAROI has shared his re-routed national Australian tour for November 2024, with CommBank Stadium locked in for a blockbuster show on Saturday 16 November.
Armed with his debut studio album THE FIRST TIME and having just dropped the hit new single Girls, LAROI’s forthcoming national tour will also see the Sydney-hailing superstar’s iconic friends, Quavo and ONEFOUR jump on the tour with him (excluding Gold Coast and Hobart shows).
Presented by TEG Live, this mammoth Aussie run will commence on November 11 at Gold Coast Home of the Arts, before traversing Brisbane, Sydney, Perth, Adelaide and Hobart, finishing up in Melbourne with shows at Rod Laver on November 29 and 30.
Tickets to THE FIRST TIME shows will go on sale to the general public on Thursday 8 August at 1pm local from ticketek.com.au, with an exclusive 48-hour artist presale live from Tuesday 6 August at 1pm (password FIRSTTIME).
Expanding on the homegrown hero’s first-ever headline Australian tour in 2022, which saw LAROI add multiple extra arena shows due to overwhelming demand, these upcoming 2024 shows will also give his legion of fans a chance to witness some of LAROI’s most iconic hits from his 2021 ARIA Award-winning collab with Justin Bieber, Stay, to his near on 1 billion streamed smash, Without You, to His genre-blurring 2022 track Thousand Miles, his 2023 chart-burner Love Again and of course his latest hit single, Girls. The tour will also showcase LAROI’s most personal and musically complex statement to date in the form of his brand new album THE FIRST TIME, boasting 20 new songs from the revered Aussie export alongside his trademark amalgamation of hip hop, pop, alternative and indie flavours.
Supporting LAROI on the tour will be his pal, American rapper, singer, producer and global icon, Quavo. The Migos frontman has reached celebrity status the world over, with a number of acclaimed Migos and solo album releases under his belt. He has performed alongside Madonna at the Eurovision finale in 2019, and amassed Billboard 100 Top Ten Singles with Post Malone on Congratulations, Justin Bieber’s Intentions, Liam Payne’s Strip That Down, Drake’s Portland, and DJ Khaled’s No Brainer, and only last month releasing Tough with Lana Del Ray.
The pioneers of drill music in Australia, Sydney’s ONEFOUR will also be hitting the road with LAROI, offering a hugely rare opportunity to see drill and rap group live on stage, having only performed live a handful of times over the decade since they formed, including at LAROI’s 2022 Sydney show when he pulled them on stage.
THE KID LAROI THE FIRST TIME AUSTRALIAN TOUR 2024 SUPPORTED BY QUAVO AND ONEFOUR *
MONDAY 11 NOVEMBER | GOLD COAST HOME OF THE ARTS, QLD | ALL AGES THURSDAY 14 NOVEMBER | BRISBANE ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE, QLD | ALL AGES SATURDAY 16 NOVEMBER | SYDNEY COMMBANK STADIUM, NSW | ALL AGES* WEDNESDAY 20 NOVEMBER | PERTH RAC ARENA, WA | ALL AGES* SUNDAY 24 NOVEMBER | ADELAIDE ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE, SA | ALL AGES* WEDNESDAY 27 NOVEMBER | HOBART MYSTATE BANK ARENA, TAS | ALL AGES FRIDAY 29 NOVEMBER + SAT 30 NOVEMBER | MELBOURNE ROD LAVER ARENA, VIC | ALL AGES*
Tickets to THE FIRST TIME Australian tour go on sale Thursday 8 August from 1pm local time through Ticketek.
The Kid LAROI 48-hour artist presale starts Tuesday August 6 at 1pm local time – password FIRSTTIME
Existing ticket holders for the previously scheduled February tour will be contacted by Ticketek via email with instructions on how to redeem their tickets into the new shows. Existing ticket holders who cannot attend the new dates should contact Ticketek.
Penrith Panthers have confirmed that the club will host eight NRL home matches at CommBank Stadium in 2025.
The Panthers will embrace the world-class venue as its home during the redevelopment of Penrith Stadium.
With a seating capacity of 30,000, CommBank Stadium not only brings fans closer to the action than ever before but also boasts top-tier amenities, impeccable design, and technological innovations that redefine the standards of a world-class stadium experience.
The club will ‘Pantherise’ CommBank Stadium with its distinctive colours, themes, and enthusiastic fan culture, continuing the unparalleled atmosphere that the Panthers members and fans have created at their spiritual home.
The Panthers will ensure a seamless transition to the Western Sydney stadium, offering members premium seating options, convenient travel arrangements, and innovative additions such as member lounges and enhanced corporate offerings.
The club has also confirmed the remaining four home venues for 2025, including a historic season opener at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, as well as matches at Glen Willow Regional Sports Complex in Mudgee, Carrington Park in Bathurst, and home participation in Magic Round at Suncorp Stadium.
“We’re excited for the next chapter in the Panthers journey and thrilled to announce this partnership with Venues NSW,” Panthers Rugby League CEO Matt Cameron said.
In 2025, the Panthers home is where we all are and it’s vital that the Panthers community rally behind Ivan Cleary’s team to ensure continued on-field success.
“2025 is set to be an exciting year for the club as we open the season in Las Vegas, before hosting a match at Magic Round, playing twice in the Central West and eight games at a world-class stadium in Western Sydney.
“CommBank Stadium offers an unparalleled rugby league experience with fans close to the action within an electrifying atmosphere, exceptional facilities, and premier corporate facilities.
“Playing at CommBank Stadium will open up substantial commercial opportunities, further cementing the Panthers’ status as a leading NRL club.”
Venues NSW CEO Kerrie Mather added: “We can’t wait to welcome the reigning premiers the Penrith Panthers and their fans to CommBank Stadium for the 2025 NRL season.
“This is an exciting partnership with the Panthers who will call CommBank Stadium home until they return to a brand new Penrith Stadium.”
2025 Panthers Memberships will be on sale from September.
The Subway Socceroos will face Lebanon at CommBank Stadium in Sydney as their journey towards FIFA World Cup 2026™ continues, with the Second Round Qualifier scheduled for Thursday, 21 March 2024 (8.00pm AEDT).
Tickets for this all-important match start from $20 Child, $25 Concession, $30 Adult, and $80 Family, with a Football Account Pre-Sale at 3.00pm AEDT on Wednesday, 6 December 2023 and General Public On-Sale at 3:00pm AEDT on Friday, 8 December 2023 via Ticketek.
The March FIFA Men’s International Window will see the resumption of the Second Round of qualification for FIFA World Cup 2026™, following the AFC Asian Cup™ Qatar 2023 being held throughout January and February 2024.
This fixture will be the first time the Subway Socceroos have faced Lebanon in this qualification period, following victories over Bangladesh (7-0) and Palestine (l-0) to open their campaign in November.
Football Australia CEO, James Johnson expressed his excitement at the prospect of having the Subway Socceroos playing in front of home fans.
“We are thrilled to host the Subway Socceroos for this FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifier at CommBank Stadium, a venue renowned for its world-class facilities,” Johnson said.
“This event not only signifies the resumption of our journey towards the FIFA World Cup but also reflects the vibrant football culture in New South Wales, thanks to the region’s high grassroots participation rates.
“We are grateful for the support of the NSW Government and Destination NSW. Their commitment has been instrumental in bringing such high-calibre fixtures and events to our shores. This partnership also reflects our shared commitment to fostering football at the community level, including the recently held National Youth Championships.
“We look forward to delivering an exceptional experience for players and fans alike,” concluded Johnson.
Subway Socceroos’ Head Coach, Graham Arnold said his players relished any opportunity to play in front of Australian fans.
“Our players are scattered across the world when playing for their clubs, the excitement they have to come together as a group and representthe nation has been a cornerstone of our success,” Arnold said.
“The opportunity to play in front of home fans and feel the energy they bring is so valuable for us, it provides a massive lift, not just in those individual moments but for the many that follow in our qualification journey.
“For the likes of Maty Ryan, Mitch Duke, Keanu Baccus and others from New South Wales, it’s important they enjoy the chance to wear the Australian jersey in their hometown in front of friends and family.
“It doesn’t matter how many times it comes about, playing in front of those who have helped you on your journey through football is such a rewarding and humbling experience, and celebrating that is an integral part of the culture we’ve built within this squad,” concluded Arnold.
During the Second Round- which doubles as direct qualifiers for the AFC Asian Cup 2027™ in Saudi Arabia – the Subway Socceroos will play against Bangladesh, Lebanon and Palestine in a home-and away round-robin format, between November 2023 and June 2024. Should Australia finish Group Winner or Group Runners-Up, they will directly qualify for the next AFC Asian Cup.
To find out all the latest information on fixtures, results and Second Round Qualification updates please click here.
Catch the Subway Socceroos FIFA World Cup 2026™ Qualifiers on Network 70 and Paramount+.
Match Details
$1 (plus GST) from every ticket sold for this match will be donated to the CommBank Pararoos – Australia’s CP national team for male footballers with cerebral palsy, acquired brain injury or symptoms from a stroke.
Football Account holders can access an exclusive pre-sale window with a 10% discount offer. To gain access to exclusive news and the pre-sale, sign up here and enable priority ticketing on your account.
Subway Socceroos v Lebanon Thursday, 21 March 2024 CommBank Stadium, Parramatta
Kick-off: 8.00pm AEDT
Tickets: Start from $20 Child, $25 Concession, $30 Adult, $80 Family
Football Account Pre-Sale: 3.00pm AEDT on Wednesday, 6 December 2023
General Public On-Sale: 3.00pm AEDT on Friday, 8 December 2023 via Ticketek
The Western Sydney Wanderers men’s side will headline the start of the 2023/24 A-Leagues Unite Round with a matchup against Melbourne City at CommBank Stadium on Friday 12 January – as part of a double header that features Macarthur FC v Western United.
The Wanderers Liberty A-League Women’s squad will play host to Melbourne City at CommBank Stadium on the Sunday to conclude the festival of football with an Isuzu UTE A-League Men’s game between Perth Glory v Wellington Phoenix making it another double header.
Unite Round Schedule
Friday 12 January
A-League Men Double Header – CommBank Stadium Macarthur FC v Western United Melbourne City v Western Sydney Wanderers
Friday 12 January
A-League Women Double Header – Leichardt Oval Melbourne Victory v Perth Glory Wellington Phoenix v Central Coast Mariners
Saturday 13 January
A-League Men Double Header – Allianz Stadium Central Coast Mariners v Melbourne Victory Adelaide United v Sydney FC
Saturday 13 January
A-League Women Double Header – Leichardt Oval Canberra United v Adelaide United Brisbane Roar v Newcastle Jets
Sunday 14 January
Double Header – Allianz Stadium A-League Men: Brisbane Roar v Newcastle Jets A-League Women: Western United v Sydney FC
Sunday 14 January
Double Header – CommBank Stadium A-League Men: Perth Glory v Wellington Phoenix A-League Women: Western Sydney Wanderers v Melbourne City
*Match times TBC
The ‘Unite Round’ is being introduced for the 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons, as the APL’s partnership with DNSW enters its second year. As part of the updated partnership, the hosting rights for the Grand Finals will revert to the traditional format with hosting rights awarded to the highest placed qualifier from the Semi Finals, starting from season 2023-24.
During ‘Unite Round’, the double header matches will be hosted at Allianz Stadium, CommBank Stadium and Leichhardt Oval, and grassroots tournaments for junior boys and girls will take place at venues across Sydney.
A live site at Moore Park will also feature a fan park and viewing party for the AFC Asian Cup match in Qatar between Australia and India’s men’s teams on Saturday 13 January at 10:30pm AEDT.
The Hon Stephen Conroy, Chair of APL, said:
“We saw record crowds in the men’s and women’s finals series last season, and we again saw the appetite for professional football in NSW during the FIFA Women’s World Cup. Having all of our teams play in one place, over one weekend, is a fantastic way to serve up the best of the A-Leagues for our fans.
“We are one of the only leagues in the world where almost every club has both men’s and women’s teams, so we are uniquely positioned to create an event like this.
“We thank Premier Minns and the NSW Government for this fundamentally important partnership and for their continuing support for the development of football in Australia.”
Danny Townsend, CEO of APL said:
“The Unite Round is a brand new experience which brings together all A-Leagues clubs, fans and grassroots players together for the very first time in Sydney in an unprecedented celebration of football. With the women’s domestic attendance record already broken twice on the first day of this season, we are looking forward to welcoming A-Leagues fans, old and new, to experience our leagues.”
“We have worked closely with our clubs and fans to ensure that there are suitable constructive mechanisms for the voices of fans to be heard. Many of the resulting conversations have included the hosting of the Grand Finals, and the strong sentiments around that, and we thank DNSW and Premier Minns for their partnership in creating a truly inclusive experience for our game.”
Premier Chris Minns said:
“Unite Round is great news for the football community, and for NSW.
“This will bring fans and players from around the country together in Sydney.
“I encourage fans to get involved in this festival of football.
Minister for Jobs and Tourism John Graham said:
“This is a chance for fans and players from right around Australia to come together, be united and be part of something special right here in Sydney.
“The Unite Round is a win-win for fans, the game and NSW as it will provide more opportunity for all players and fans to be part of an inclusive football celebration in Sydney.
“Unite Round will also deliver strong economic and community benefits for the people of NSW – it is estimated Unite Round will attract more than 42,000 people to Sydney for the event and generate more than $10.2 million in visitor expenditure for the state’s economy.
Minister for Sport Steve Kamper said:
“Sydney has more football fans and players than any other state and our culture of celebrating major sporting milestones is second-to-none.
“We can’t wait to welcome Australia’s football family to Sydney for the debut A-Leagues Unite Round next January and to see this tradition grow.
“This will be the first sporting code to celebrate a full men’s and women’s round in a single city in Australia.”
For the Isuzu UTE A-League Men, ‘Unite Round’ will be an additional round – making it a 27-game regular season. The existing Round 12 fixtures are being moved to new dates and times. For the Liberty A-League Women, ‘Unite Round’ will use the existing Round 12 fixtures, keeping the season as a 22-game regular season.
This A-Leagues event is supported by the NSW Government through its tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW.
Tickets for A-Leagues ‘Unite Round’ will go on sale from Monday 6 November.
For the first time since their historic 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup success, Matildas standouts Mackenzie Arnold, Mary Fowler and Alanna Kennedy will reunite in Sydney for a world-first fan-focused event. The inaugural “Open Air Live” kicks off from 7pm on Thursday, 21 December at Sydney’s CommBank Stadium, giving audiences exclusive access to Australia’s most celebrated Matildas stars.
Hosted by Sports Anchor, James Bracey, fans will connect with the Matildas like never before. In a live masterclass, the trio will demonstrate their exceptional skills and candidly discuss their personal journeys, illustrious careers, and unforgettable moments on the field. The event will be truly immersive, featuring stunning visuals and stadium screens to capture the exhilarating match day atmosphere, utilising innovative 4-stage compass setup and advanced audiovisual technology.
Matildas forward and youngest ever player, Mary Fowler said: “I’m excited to be part of the Open Air Live event in Sydney this December. Mackenzie, Alanna and myself will be taking the field at CommBank stadium for a huge night of entertainment, you won’t want to miss this!”
Matildas defender, Alanna Kennedy, added: “I can’t wait to join Mackenzie and Mary on the pitch for an incredible night of entertainment. Everyone is welcome, and we look forward to putting on a great show.”
The Matildas performance in the FIFA Women’s World Cup attracted record-breaking audiences from around the country, capturing the hearts of young and old. The “Open Air Live” event will be an opportunity to get up close to this year’s Aussie heroes.
Legendary goalkeeper for the Matildas, Mackenzie Arnold said that it would be a special moment for them to share with families ahead of the festive season.
“I’m really looking forward to being part of the Open Air Live event at Sydney in December! Bring your families along and join Alanna, Mary and I in sharing our stories and enjoy a great night of entertainment. We can’t wait to see you there.”
Tickets are available now via Ticketek from $49 for general admission and $99 with the addition of an exclusive Meet & Greet photo opportunity. VIP packages are available on request.
The biggest day of the NSW Rugby League season comes to CommBank Stadium this Sunday 24 September with a triad of back-to-back Grand Finals being played in the heart of Parramatta.
The day kicks off with the State’s best semi-professional clubs St Marys Saints and Maitland Pickers battling it out for the President’s Cup.
In the afternoon, the Under 21’s of famous Sydney clubs Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs and Sydney Roosters play each other in the Jersey Flegg Cup Grand Final striving to be crowned the best junior rugby league team.
Finally, a much-anticipated clash between South Sydney Rabbitohs and the North Sydney Bears in the Knock-On Effect NSW Cup Grand Final, NSW Rugby League’s premier competition.
Grand Final Day Schedule:
10:45 am Gates Open
11:00 am Kick Off: President’s Cup Grand Final – St Marys Saints v Maitland Pickers
1:00 pm Kick Off: Jersey Flegg Cup Grand Final – Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs v Sydney Roosters
3:00 pm Kick Off: Knock on Effect NSW Cup Grand Final – South Sydney Rabbitohs v North Sydney Bears
Public transport is the best way to get to the footy! O’Connell Street is within walking distance of Parramatta Station, so avoid gameday traffic and get to the footy without the stress of parking. Plan your trip to CommBank Stadium here.
Tickets:
Tickets are available exclusively online. Head here for NSWRL Grand Final Day tickets.
Food and Beverage:
CommBank Stadium is renowned for having some of the best in-stadium food and beverage options in the country. From footy favs to high-end dining, there is a gameday option to cater for every taste. For a full list of menu items, click here.
Weather:
The forecast for Parramatta on Sunday afternoon is partly cloudy, with a forecast maximum temperature of 22C. For up-to-date weather information, please click here.
Come out and enjoy one of the great days of footy action!
The Wanderers begin their season with back-to-back home games: Sunday 22 October V Wellington Phoenix & Saturday 28 October V Western United;
The Red & Black will host a New Year’s Day game V Macarthur FC;
The Wanderers one and only home Sydney Derby will be played on Saturday 2 March;
This season there will be two home A-League Men’s/Women’s Doubleheaders: Sunday 22 October V Wellington Phoenix & Saturday 2 March V Sydney FC;
The Wanderers finish the home regular season on Saturday 20 April V Melbourne City.
The Western Sydney Wanderers will open the first two rounds of the Isuzu UTE A-League men’s 2023/2024 season at home with matchups against Wellington Phoenix on Sunday afternoon (22 October) and against Western United on Saturday night (28 October).
The turn of the new year will present the Wanderers with a great chance to collect some valuable points with 3 of their first 4 games to start 2024 to be played at Wanderland – including a New Year’s Day contest with Macarthur FC.
The Red & Black will once again just play the one home Sydney Derby in season 23/24, with the A-Leagues greatest attraction coming to CommBank Stadium on Saturday 2 March.
It will be a tricky end to the home season for the Wanderers with the final two games in the heart of the West being played against Ross Aloisi’s Brisbane Roar and against back-to-back-to-back premiers Melbourne City.
In addition to the standalone home games, the Wanderers will host two A-League doubleheaders during the season which will feature a Women’s and Men’s game. The first coming on Sunday 22 October against the Wellington Phoenix and then on Saturday 2 March versus Sydney FC.
After a strong campaign last season – which saw the Wanderers make the finals for the first time since 2017 – the Red & Black return looking to build on a heartbreaking Elimination Final exit and advance two steps further to the A-League Men’s Grand Final. The Wanderers have brought back Captain Fantastic, Marcelo as well as keeping their Player of the Season, Brandon Borrello who scored a team-high 13 goals last year.
The Wanderers have also brought in a couple of fresh faces with Dylan Pierias, Marcus Antonsson and Lachlan Brook being the standouts.
Western Sydney Wanderers Membership is the best way to show your support to both the Men’s and Women’s teams, while securing your seats at CommBank Stadium for all home matches. Membership enquiries here.
Fans will be able to watch the Australia v England FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023™ Semi-Final on the big screens at CommBank Stadium on Wednesday night 16 August;
Gates open at 6:30pm. Kick-off is at 8pm;
Entry is via Gate B off the Stadium concourse near the intersection of O’Connell Street and Victoria Road;
Food & Beverage Outlets will be open inside CommBank Stadium;
Fans will watch the game from the seating bowl. There will be no access to the playing field;
This is a non-ticketed event.
Following the Matildas’ heart stopping win over France in the Quarter Final of the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023™, the NSW Government will open CommBank Stadium at Parramatta as a screening site to ensure more football fans can cheer on the team in the Semi-Final.
The Matildas will face England in their knockout clash on Wednesday 16 August at Stadium Australia, kicking off at 8:00pm.
The match is already a sell-out and to ensure tens of thousands more fans can watch the match in a community atmosphere, the game will be shown on the big screens at CommBank Stadium, as well as Allianz Stadium at Moore Park.
Any member of the public can attend.
The FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023™ has sold 1.75 million tickets across the tournament’s 64 games.
Wednesday’s match will also be screened at the FIFA Fan Festival™ at Tumbalong Park, in Darling Harbour, which has welcomed more than 202,000 attendees throughout the tournament.
This Wednesday’s match will be the first time the Australian football team has progressed to the Semi-Final stage of a FIFA Women’s World Cup™, with NSW proudly backing the Matildas as they continue on their record-breaking run.
The Sydney Opera House sails will be illuminated green and gold on Wednesday night from 5:50pm, along with other Sydney landmarks, and the NSW Government’s social channels will remain green and gold.
The FIFA Fan Festival™ site continues to screen every game for free on large screens, along with live performances and street food. The FIFA Fan Festival™ site will be open from 5:00pm on Wednesday 16 August.
The live broadcast screens in Cathy Freeman Park, outside Stadium Australia, will once again be activated for the Matildas’ game, following the application process.
Public screening events will again be held across Sydney and NSW for this significant FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023™ game. For more information please visit: https://www.sport.nsw.gov.au/fifawwc
Fans are encouraged to use public transport to travel to the game, the FIFA Fan Festival™ and screening sites. Visit transportnsw.info to plan your trip.
NSW Premier Chris Minns said: “The Matildas’ run at this FIFA World Cup has captured the nation; their Quarter Final win was the highest rating TV event since Cathy Freeman’s 400m gold medal run at the Sydney Olympic Games.
“We’re opening up more big screens at CommBank Stadium and Allianz Stadium – we want to give NSW every chance to break that viewing record.
“This is a once in a generation moment in Australian sport, and I want as many people as possible to be able to share in the excitement of the match in front of big screens with a community atmosphere.”
It’s a huge week of events in Western Sydney with CommBank Stadium gearing up to host two sporting blockbusters . . . Ampol Women’s State of Origin 1 on Thursday night and the highly anticipated Isuzu UTE Men’s A-League Grand Final on Saturday night.
The City of Parramatta will come alive as large crowds turn out for both feature events, with restaurants and bars in Eat Street and throughout Parramatta welcoming fans pre-and-post games.
CommBank Stadium CEO Daryl Kerry has urged fans to take advantage of the fact return travel on Sydney Trains, Metro and Light Rail services is included in tickets to both big events. Fans only need to show their event ticket to Transport staff when boarding services.
“There is real excitement around these two events at CommBank Stadium and great family entertainment is planned at both the Women’s State of Origin game on Thursday and the A-League Men’s Grand Final on Saturday,” Mr Kerry said.
“The best advice is to take advantage of the train travel being included in tickets, arrive early, and soak up the big-game atmosphere.”
A crowd of more than 10,000 is expected on Thursday night as the NSW Sky Blues strive to defend their State of Origin crown won last year from the marauding Maroons who have won 18 of the past 24 series.
Tickets start from just $20 for adults with Family Tickets from $40, with kids under-15 free with a paying adult. Gates open at 5:15pm with a big night of entertainment planned ahead of the 7:45pm kick-off.
The Sky Blues team is stacked with star performers, including the electrifying Emma Tonegato at fullback, centres Isabelle Kelly and Jessica Sergis and power props Kezie Apps and Millie Boyle.
Kelly won the Nellie Doherty Medal as Player of the Series last year.
On Saturday, all eyes will be on the Isuzu UTE Men’s A-League Grand Final when Melbourne City, the best performed team of season 2022/23, line up against the surging Central Coast Mariners.
It will be the first Grand Final since 2012/13 for the Mariners who have defied the odds to win their way through the decider and they will bring scores of fans and a wave of Yellow and Navy to CommBank Stadium for their shot at title glory.
But the team with the smallest budget in the A-League will be up against arguably the A-League’s richest club Melbourne City, who are now in to their fourth Grand Final in as many years, triumphing in 2020/21 but suffering heart breaking losses to Sydney FC in 2019/20 and again to Western United last season.
The two sides faced off twice in the regular season, with City winning the first encounter 1-0 in sweltering conditions before a gripping 1-1 draw in Round 24 which was one of the games of the season, littered with chances down either end and played at a relentless tempo.
A near full house is anticipated at CommBank Stadium, with the stands expected to feature plenty of Yellow and Navy Blue as Mariners fans have snapped up a majority of tickets.
A convoy of buses will barrel down the M1 on Saturday from Gosford, bringing thousands of Mariners fans to the Grand Final.
However, there will still be a solid number of fans singing for the Sky Blue, Red and White of Melbourne City, along with a number of neutral football fans keen to witness the Grand Final after a fantastic season of football.
Gates open at 6:15pm on Saturday with a big night of off-field entertainment highlighted by a performance by popular electric band Mashd N Kutcher. There’s also street food, a pre-match show and fireworks, along with a trophy presentation to the winning team at fulltime.
