Industree Group Stadium to host Cup of Nations Double-Header this February in lead-up to FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023™
Event: Cup of Nations – Match Day 1
Date: Thursday, 16 February 2023
Venue: Industree Group Stadium, Gosford, NSW
Game 1: Spain v Jamaica – 4:10pm kick-off (AEDT). Broadcast on Paramount+
Game 2: CommBank Matildas v Czechia – 7:10pm kick-off (AEDT). Broadcast on 10 Bold, 10 Play and Paramount+
Tickets: Ticketek
The Central Coast will host the opening match day of the 2023 Cup of Nations tournament – including another game featuring Australia’s CommBank Matildas – in a spectacular international double-header in the build-up to the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023™.
The Cup of Nations will see the CommBank Matildas joined by fellow FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023™ contestants Spain and Jamaica, as well as Czechia.
Industree Group Stadium will host the first of three match days in the Cup of Nations tournament, which has been secured by Football Australia with the support of Destination NSW, the lead government agency for the NSW tourism and major events sectors.
The six-match tournament will kick off in Gosford on 16 February with Spain playing Jamaica (4:10pm) followed by the CommBank Matildas against Czechia (7:10pm).
Three days later, the tournament will shift to CommBank Stadium in Western Sydney for Match Day 2 on Sunday 19 February, when Jamaica will play Czechia before a blockbuster clash between the CommBank Matildas and Spain.
Newcastle’s McDonald Jones Stadium will host Match Day 3 of the Cup of Nations on Wednesday 22 February when Czechia will take on Spain, and the CommBank Matildas will meet Jamaica in the last game of the competition.
Tickets for all matches will go on sale to Football Account holders at 12.00pm AEDT Monday, 16 January 2023, and to the General Public from 12.00pm AEDT on Tuesday, 17 January 2023. Tickets will start at $15 for Juniors and $25 for Adults with Concession starting at $20.
Industree Group Stadium hosted the Matildas’ final international game of 2022 on 18 December, with the Matildas running out 2-0 winners over Thailand in front of 11,271 fans.
Football Australia Chief Executive Officer James Johnson said he was delighted that the Australian public will experience more world-class football and cheer on the CommBank Matildas and their football heroes in the lead-up to the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023™ campaign.
“February’s Cup of Nations will build on the success of the first tournament held in 2019 and be one of the final opportunities for fans to see the CommBank Matildas on home soil before the commencement of the FIFA Women’s World Cup ,” Mr Johnson said.
“The Cup of Nations will continue to take football to regional areas with the Central Coast, Greater Sydney and the Hunter presented with the opportunity to farewell the CommBank Matildas ahead of the FIFA Women’s World Cup™, as well as get a taste for the international football festival that awaits in 2023.
“Three of the four sides will be aiming for success at the FIFA Women’s World Cup, and we expect the quality of the six matches to be world class.”
Minister for Tourism Ben Franklin said the Cup of Nations tournament would kick off a stellar year of women’s football in NSW, which will culminate with the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023™ Final being staged in Sydney.
“Football fever is stronger than ever in NSW and we can’t wait to welcome our Matildas home to compete in Gosford, Sydney and Newcastle in front of passionate fans from around the country,” Mr Franklin said.
Minister for Sport Alister Henskens said the Cup of Nations would build on the interest in the FIFA Men’s World Cup 2022™ and launch Australia into a year of football celebration.
“Australia is an incredibly proud sporting nation and I’m sure fans from near and far will enthusiastically take up the opportunity to cheer on our hometown heroes, the CommBank Matildas,” Mr Henskens said.
“It will be fantastic to see the Cup of Nations match days in Gosford, Sydney and Newcastle inspiring young footballers from all over to have a go as they travel to cheer on the world’s top athletes.”
CommBank Matildas Head Coach Tony Gustavsson said playing three matches against high-quality international opponents ahead of the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023™ was a runway towards the major tournament.
“Spain, Czechia and Jamaica have been carefully selected for the Cup of Nations to ensure we have the right preparation heading into the FIFA Women’s World Cup,” Gustavsson said.
“Not only are all three nations filled with quality, but they also provide a difference in playing style and approach with the three match days aiming to mirror tournament group play to the best of our ability.
“As a team we love playing at home and the Cup of Nations will provide that opportunity to fully experience the “12th player” support from Australia.”
Australia will compete in Group B at the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023™ alongside Republic of Ireland, Nigeria and Canada, while Spain will contest Group C alongside Costa Rica, Zambia, and Japan. Jamaica will play in Group F alongside France, Brazil, and the Group C Play-Off winner. Czechia has not qualified for the tournament.
Football Australia acknowledges the considerable support of the Australian Government in supporting the high-performance pillar of our Legacy ’23 plan, designed to ensure that the CommBank Matildas are best prepared for the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023™, while ensuring the emergence of the next generation of CommBank Matildas.
The CommBank Matildas’ three Cup of Nations matches will be broadcast live across 10 Bold, 10 Play and Paramount+, with other matches live and exclusive to Paramount+.
2023 CUP OF NATIONS – MATCH SCHEDULE
Match Day One
Date: Thursday 16 February, 2023
Venue: Industree Group Stadium, Gosford, NSW
Match One: Spain v Jamaica – 4:10pm kick-off. Broadcast on Paramount+
Match Two: CommBank Matildas v Czechia – 7:10pm kick-off. Broadcast on 10 Bold, 10 Play and Paramount+
Tickets: Ticketek
Match Day Two
Date: Sunday 19 February 2023
Venue: CommBank Stadium, Sydney, NSW
Match One: Jamaica v Czechia – 2:50pm. Broadcast on Paramount+
Match Two: CommBank Matildas v Spain – 6:00pm. Broadcast on 10 Bold, 10 Play and Paramount+
Tickets: Ticketek
Match Day Three
Date: Wednesday 22 February 2023
Venue: McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle, NSW
Match One: Czechia v Spain – [3pm kick-off TBC]. Broadcast on Paramount+
Match Two: CommBank Matildas v Jamaica – 7:10pm kick-off. Broadcast on 10 Bold, 10 Play and Paramount+
Tickets: Ticketmaster
