Peter Malinauskas announces Memorial Drive as venue to cheer on Matildas

The Premier has revealed why he isn’t yet “jinxing” a public holiday, should the Matildas win the FIFA Women’s World Cup.

• Why Matildas holiday hits bum note

South Aussie Matilda fans will be able to cheer on their team at Memorial Drive on Wednesday as they go up against old rivals England in the semi-final.

Premier Peter Malinauskas made the announcement today and encouraged people to come and cheer loudly when Festival Plaza opens at 5pm and The Drive opens at 6pm.

Fans packed into the Festival Plaza on Saturday night to watch the Tilly’s take on France but the area has capacity for only 3000, whereas Memorial Drive can fit about 7000 people.

Mr Malinauskas said the FIFA Fan Festival at Festival Plaza would continue to have family activities and food, while The Drive would also have food and a live DJ.

Both sites would be open with big screens. Entry is free.

“We chose Memorial Drive for a few reasons – principally for size but also because of the weather as it’s undercover,” he said.

The state government had been urged to open up Adelaide Oval on Wednesday night to ensure as many fans as possible could gather to cheer on the Matildas in their World Cup semi-final against old rivals England.

But the Premier on Monday morning said despite the Oval being suggested, Memorial Drive was a better option as the forecast is for showers and a top of 18C.

Asked later at a press conference whether both the plaza and Memorial Drive could end up empty – given it’s a school night with rain forecast and the Festival Plaza had only 2500 fans there last Saturday night – he said he’d “rather stand criticised for being under capacity than not catering for it enough”.

Premier Peter Malinauskas says Memorial Drive is a better option for fans to gather. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Naomi Jellicoe

It follows extended conversations in the last 36 hours between the government, EventsSA, and FIFA, who hold the broadcasting rights to the event.

When the Premier was asked about the possibility of a public holiday should the Matildas win the tournament, he said he “wouldn’t go that far”, citing the complexity and economic cost of short notice arrangements.

He said there was a “very real possibility” that some states would grant a public holiday, such as NSW, while others including SA, might not.

He said NSW Premier Chris Minns, who has promised a public holiday in the event of a Matildas win, was in a “different position” as it is hosting the official Australian celebration.

“I don’t think we should be jinxing it yet – I am superstitious so let’s not put the cart before the horse here.”

Matildas players celebrate winning the FIFA Womens World Cup Quarter final match between against France at Brisbane Stadium. Picture: Lachie Millard

“I think we’ve got a special moment here, the Prime Minister has invited us as a nation to look at a public holiday and that falls on the states … we’re turning our minds to what that might look like.”

Mr Malinauskas defended the move to pay KPMG for an inquiry on SA events which is expected to cost more than $600,000 despite having Events SA – the existing government office to drive events in the state.

“There is nothing unorthodox at all about engaging an outside firm to do work for government in areas the government doesn’t have capacity for.”

Carla and brother Alex at the FIFA Fan Festival with her Matildas scarf in Adelaide CBD.