State government in negotiations to find a venue, in addition to the existing official FIFA fan site, for Matildas screenings

The state government is being urged to open up Adelaide Oval on Wednesday to ensure as many fans as possible can gather to cheer on the Matildas.

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

Local football legends, women sport advocates and The Advertiser have all backed the push to unlock the Oval gates and bring thousands of South Australians together for the historic occasion.

It is believed the state government has already started negotiations to find a venue, in addition to the existing official FIFA fan site at festival Plaza, including the Oval, Memorial Drive and Hindmarsh Stadium.

Premier Peter Malinauskas yesterday did not rule out hosting a screening of the Matildas’ historic World Cup semi-final at Adelaide Oval on Wednesday night.

Mr Malinauskas on Sunday said he has been “looking at some options” for screenings ahead of the match, which is expected to draw large crowds.

FIFA Fan Festival at Festival Plaza – Australia v France. Picture: Emma Brasier

About 2500 fans packed into the Festival Plaza fan zone to watch the dramatic penalty shootout win against France on Saturday night and Mr Malinauskas expects the number of spectators to increase.

“We expect it will get to capacity on Wednesday night.”

The area has room for 3000 fans to watch the match against England.

But former Socceroo, and Property Council SA chief executive, Bruce Djite said it would be an “fantastic idea’’ to open up Adelaide Oval.

“I would strongly encourage the premier to open up Adelaide Oval,’’ Mr Djite said.

Mr Djite said thousands of fans had gathered at Adelaide Oval’s Telstra Plaza to watch the Socceroos in the men’s World Cup and predicted even more would turn up to watch the Matildas.

“It could be double or triple (those numbers),’’ he said.

Longstanding advocate for women’s sport Marg Ralston also agreed the Oval should be used.

“It would be great to have so many people in one place to watch the game,’’ the former executive director of the SA Olympic Council said. “They are actually bringing Adelaide alive and leading women in sport in a way that is wonderful to see.

“The Matildas have shown the true value of sport through their performances at the World Cup in the way they play and the way they act.’’

Mr Djite said the five World Cup games played in Adelaide had showcased the city to the world, with the England v China game alone watched by 54 million.

Young Matildas fans seven-year-old Myles Deer and his nine-year-old sister Sadie from Craigburn Farm at the FIFA Fan Zone at the Festival Plaza. Picture: Brenton Edwards

“I might not have to explain to people where Adelaide is anymore,’’ he said. “It has put us on the global stage, every country around the world is watching this competition.’’

The state government would have to negotiate with governing body FIFA to screen the game at an alternative site and would have to guarantee a “clean venue” with no sponsors that clashed with official World Cup partners.

“There’s an arrangement with FIFA as part of us being a host city to have that fan festival site as the official site,” Mr Malinauskas said.

“What we’re looking at is how we can expand options with their approval.”

He said he has been in contact with Events SA about “how we can have additional screens” at the fan festival site.